Intel Core 9 273PQE reportedly beats Core i9-14900K in some CPU-limited gaming tests

Intel’s Core 9 273PQE, an embedded/edge processor in Intel’s Core Series 2 lineup, has reportedly outperformed the consumer Core i9-14900K in several CPU-limited gaming tests shared on May 4, 2026 by German reviewer Zed Up.

The results are presented as an early look at a reported Bartlett Lake-S configuration that uses performance (P) cores only, rather than the hybrid mix of performance and efficiency (E) cores used by Raptor Lake desktop parts. Zed Up also said Intel has indicated it has no plans to bring Bartlett Lake-S to the consumer desktop market.

What the Core 9 273PQE is

Based on configuration details cited by the reviewer, the Core 9 273PQE is described as a 12 P-core, 24-thread CPU with 36MB of cache and up to a 5.9GHz boost clock. The chip is said to be built on Intel 7 and to use Intel’s Raptor Cove P-core architecture.

By comparison, the Core i9-14900K uses a hybrid layout combining eight P-cores with 16 E-cores.

Gaming results varied by title

In Zed Up’s testing, the Core 9 273PQE was reported to be up to around 10% faster than the Core i9-14900K in select benchmarks, though results varied by game and the advantage was not consistent across every title.

Examples cited by the reviewer include:

• Horizon Zero Dawn (+5.4%)
• Monster Hunter Wilds (+5.9%)
• Outcast 1.1 (+9.1%)
• Shadow of the Tomb Raider (+9.1%)

Rainbow Six Siege reportedly showed no difference in average FPS. Counter-Strike 2 was slightly faster on the 14900K in one run.

Not positioned as a consumer desktop option

Despite the reported results, the Core 9 273PQE is designed for embedded-focused systems rather than typical consumer gaming builds.

Zed Up said the processor was purchased for €725 and that an ASRock IMB-X1714 motherboard cost €340, suggesting the platform can be significantly more expensive than mainstream desktop parts, even if the benchmarks are mainly of technical interest.