AMD Ryzen 5 150 vs Intel Core Ultra X9 388H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a decisive sweep: the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H wins all 11 head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the AMD Ryzen 5 150. The largest margins appear in compute-heavy workloads. In PassMark floating point math, the Intel part scores 112,550 versus 35,118, a delta of -68.8% from the AMD side (meaning AMD trails by that amount). The physics test shows an even starker gap: Intel scores 3,226 against AMD's 806, a -75% delta. Prime number finding is the most lopsided result, with Intel at 358 and AMD at 47, a -86.9% delta.

Multithreaded performance confirms the same pattern. The Intel Core Ultra X9 388H records 36,811 in PassMark multithread, while the AMD Ryzen 5 150 manages 17,492, a -52.5% delta. Data encryption shows Intel at 28,490 versus 13,425 for AMD, a -52.9% delta. Extended instructions follow closely: Intel scores 29,943, AMD 14,675, a -51% delta. Random string sorting gives Intel 44,010 against AMD's 22,382, a -49.1% delta.

Integer math is the closest contest among the parallel workloads. Intel scores 90,882, AMD 62,151, a -31.6% delta. Data compression shows Intel at 361,763 versus 211,289, a -41.6% delta. Single-thread performance, often a differentiator, also favors Intel: 4,280 versus 3,155, a -26.3% delta. Both single-thread entries in the database (passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread) repeat the same scores and delta.

The average benchmark score reflects this overall dominance. The Intel part averages 44,466 across its benchmark suite, placing it in the 88th percentile of all CPUs. The AMD part averages 34,881, sitting in the 84th percentile. The Intel chip's nearest rivals in the database include the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D (avg score 44,573, delta -0.2%), the Intel Core i9-13950HX (44,342, delta 0.3%), the AMD Ryzen AI Max 385 (44,309, delta 0.4%), and the Intel Core i5-13600 (44,240, delta 0.5%). The AMD Ryzen 5 150's nearest rivals are the Intel Xeon 6349P (34,890, delta 0%), Intel Core 7 253PTE (34,962, delta -0.2%), Intel Core i7-13800H (34,988, delta -0.3%), and Intel Core i9-12900HX (35,003, delta -0.3%). These proximity scores indicate the AMD chip competes at a lower performance tier, roughly 28% below the Intel part's average score.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design generations. The AMD Ryzen 5 150 uses the Zen 3+ architecture, codenamed Rembrandt-R, built on a 6 nm process by TSMC with a die size of 210 mm². The Intel Core Ultra X9 388H uses the Panther Lake architecture, codenamed Panther Lake, built on a 3 nm process by Intel. This process-node gap (6 nm versus 3 nm) likely contributes to the Intel part's higher efficiency and performance density, though the database does not provide direct power measurements for comparison.

Core counts differ substantially. The AMD chip has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel chip has 16 cores and 16 threads. Notably, the Intel part does not support simultaneous multithreading, as its thread count equals its core count. The AMD part's 6 cores with 12 threads indicate SMT capability. Cache hierarchies also diverge. AMD provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. Intel provides 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core L1 and L2 caches on the Intel part align with its newer microarchitecture.

Clock speeds show different strategies. AMD lists a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.55 GHz. Intel lists a lower base clock of 2.10 GHz but a higher boost clock of 5.10 GHz. The Intel part's higher boost ceiling and lower base likely reflect a more aggressive turbo design, enabled by the smaller process node. Thermal design power (TDP) values differ: AMD is rated at 35 W, Intel at 25 W. Despite the lower TDP, the Intel part delivers higher performance in every recorded benchmark.

Memory support separates the two as well. AMD uses DDR5 with dual-channel configuration and a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. Intel uses LPDDR5X with dual-channel configuration and a memory bandwidth of 153.6 GB/s, exactly double the AMD figure. PCIe connectivity also differs: AMD offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while Intel offers Gen 5 with 4 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics differ: AMD includes Radeon 660M, Intel includes Arc B390. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Production status for both is listed as Active. Release dates show AMD released on 2025-09-30 and Intel on 2026-01-04. The AMD part uses AMD Socket FP7 with part number 100-000000990(FP7r2). The Intel part uses Intel BGA 2540 with part number SA4QWQ9EK. Both target the mobile market segment.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 150 does not win any of the 11 head-to-head benchmark categories. Every recorded test, from data compression to single-thread performance, favors the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H. This means the use-case split is one-sided in the database's measured workloads.

The Intel part's largest advantages appear in floating point math, physics simulation, and prime number finding. These are typically compute-intensive workloads that benefit from high core counts and modern instruction execution. Floating point math at 112,550 versus 35,118 indicates the Intel architecture handles scientific and engineering calculations with far greater throughput. Physics at 3,226 versus 806 suggests simulation workloads, common in rendering and modeling, run roughly four times faster on the Intel chip. Prime number finding at 358 versus 47 points to strong integer-heavy algorithm performance.

Data compression and encryption also favor Intel substantially. Compression at 361,763 versus 211,289 means file archiving and database operations complete faster. Encryption at 28,490 versus 13,425 indicates secure data handling, such as VPN traffic or disk encryption, benefits from the Intel part. Extended instructions at 29,943 versus 14,675 show the Intel chip handles SIMD-style workloads, such as multimedia encoding or scientific vector math, with roughly double the performance.

Single-thread performance at 4,280 versus 3,155 means even lightly threaded applications, such as older games or productivity tools, run faster on the Intel part. Multithreaded performance at 36,811 versus 17,492 makes the Intel chip suitable for rendering, compilation, and other parallel tasks. Random string sorting at 44,010 versus 22,382 indicates data-processing pipelines, including log analysis or text processing, favor the Intel part.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra X9 388H has 16 cores and 16 threads. The AMD Ryzen 5 150 has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: How large is the single-thread performance gap?

A: The Intel Core Ultra X9 388H scores 4,280 in PassMark single-thread tests, while the AMD Ryzen 5 150 scores 3,155. This is a -26.3% delta for the AMD part.

Q: Which processor has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Core Ultra X9 388H supports LPDDR5X with 153.6 GB/s. The AMD Ryzen 5 150 supports DDR5 with 76.8 GB/s. The Intel part's bandwidth is exactly double.

Q: What process nodes are used?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 150 uses a 6 nm process from TSMC. The Intel Core Ultra X9 388H uses a 3 nm process from Intel.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: No. Both the AMD Ryzen 5 150 and the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H list ECC memory support as false.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core Ultra X9 388H has a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. The AMD Ryzen 5 150 has a boost clock of 4.55 GHz.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. Both the AMD Ryzen 5 150 and the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H have multiplierUnlocked set to false.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 150 | Intel Core Ultra X9 388H |

| --- | --- | --- |

| Cores | 6 | 16 |

| Threads | 12 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 3.30 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.55 GHz | 5.10 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 25 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP7 | Intel BGA 2540 |

| Architecture | Zen 3+ | Panther Lake |

| Codename | Rembrandt-R | Panther Lake |

| Process Node | 6 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die Size | 210 mm² | Not listed |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 3 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 16 MB (shared) | 18 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bandwidth | 76.8 GB/s | 153.6 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes | Gen 5, 4 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 660M | Arc B390 |

| Release Date | 2025-09-30 | 2026-01-04 |

| Part Number | 100-000000990(FP7r2) | SA4QWQ9EK |

The Verdict

The benchmark data indicates a clear performance hierarchy between these two mobile processors. The Intel Core Ultra X9 388H outperforms the AMD Ryzen 5 150 in every recorded test, with margins ranging from -26.3% in single-thread performance to -86.9% in prime number finding. The Intel part's average benchmark score of 44,466 places it in the 88th percentile of all CPUs, while the AMD part's average of 34,881 places it in the 84th percentile. The Intel chip's nearest rivals, including the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D and Intel Core i9-13950HX, all score close to 44,000 to 44,600, confirming its standing in a higher performance class.

For workloads measured in the database, the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H is the superior choice. Its 16 cores, higher boost clock of 5.10 GHz, larger cache hierarchy, and double memory bandwidth (153.6 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s) support its dominance across compression, encryption, math, physics, and sorting tests. The lower TDP of 25 W versus 35 W also indicates the Intel part achieves higher performance while rated for lower power consumption.

The AMD Ryzen 5 150, with its 6 cores and 12 threads, sits in a lower performance tier. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon 6349P and Intel Core i7-13800H, all scoring near 34,900 to 35,000. The AMD chip's advantages in the database are limited to architectural specifics: a larger PCIe lane count (20 versus 4), a smaller process node disadvantage notwithstanding, and a higher base clock (3.30 GHz versus 2.10 GHz). However, none of these translate into benchmark wins.

Users selecting between these two parts based solely on the recorded data should choose the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H for any application requiring maximum throughput. The AMD Ryzen 5 150 offers no measured performance advantage in any category. The Intel part's higher percentile ranking (88 versus 84) and higher average score (44,466 versus 34,881) quantify the gap. The data does not support any scenario where the AMD chip wins, so the verdict is unambiguous: the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H delivers superior performance across all tested workloads.