AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX vs AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX and AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 are both 55-watt mobile processors, but the benchmark data separates them into two distinct roles. The 8940HX wins 11 of 15 head-to-head tests, while the AI Max+ 388 wins 4. The average benchmark score for the 8940HX is 81103, placing it in the 95th percentile of all CPUs. The AI Max+ 388 averages 49796, sitting in the 90th percentile. The 8940HX's nearest rival is the Intel Xeon w5-3535X with a delta of 0%, while the AI Max+ 388's closest competitor is the Intel Core 9 273PE at a delta of -0.1%.

The Verdict

The data points to the Ryzen 9 8940HX as the choice for multi-threaded throughput. Its 16 cores and 32 threads deliver a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 32521, which is 73.4% ahead of the AI Max+ 388's 18759. In PassMark integer math, the 8940HX scores 189221 versus 109588, a 72.7% advantage. For data encryption, the lead expands to 95.7%, with scores of 39318 and 20092. Users running heavy parallel workloads, virtual machines, or content creation tasks should favor the 8940HX based on these margins.

The AI Max+ 388 wins the single-thread tests. It scores 4185 in PassMark single-thread versus 3874 for the 8940HX, a 7.4% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 1960 versus 1917, a 2.2% advantage. This chip uses the Zen 5 architecture with a 4 nm process, while the 8940HX uses Zen 4 on 5 nm. The AI Max+ 388 also provides a substantially faster memory interface: quad-channel LPDDR5X with 256.0 GB/s bandwidth versus dual-channel DDR5 at 83.2 GB/s. For workloads that are latency-sensitive or memory-bandwidth-bound, the AI Max+ 388 is the stronger option.

Pick the 8940HX for raw compute density. Pick the AI Max+ 388 for single-core responsiveness and memory throughput.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent different design generations. The 8940HX uses Zen 4 architecture with the Dragon Range codename, built on a 5 nm process at TSMC. The AI Max+ 388 uses Zen 5 architecture with the Strix Halo codename, fabricated on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The transistor count for the 8940HX is 13,140 million, while the AI Max+ 388 has no recorded transistor figure. Die sizes are similar: the 8940HX has 2x 71 mm², and the AI Max+ 388 has 2x 70.6 mm².

Cache layouts differ. The 8940HX provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of L3. The AI Max+ 388 provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of shared L3. The smaller L3 on the AI Max+ 388 is offset by its higher base clock of 3.60 GHz versus 2.40 GHz, and its boost clock of 5.00 GHz versus 5.30 GHz.

Memory support splits the pair. The 8940HX uses DDR5 with a dual-channel bus, achieving 83.2 GB/s. The AI Max+ 388 uses LPDDR5X with a quad-channel bus, achieving 256.0 GB/s. The AI Max+ 388 also supports ECC memory, while the 8940HX does not. PCIe generations differ: the 8940HX uses Gen 5 with 28 lanes, while the AI Max+ 388 uses Gen 4 with 16 lanes. The integrated graphics differ as well: the 8940HX has a Radeon 610M, and the AI Max+ 388 has a Radeon 8060S.

The sockets are incompatible. The 8940HX uses AMD Socket FL1, and the AI Max+ 388 uses AMD Socket FP11. The multiplier is unlocked on the 8940HX, while the AI Max+ 388 is locked. The release dates are recorded as 2025-04-22 for the 8940HX and 2026-01-05 for the AI Max+ 388.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The 8940HX dominates multi-core tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 5355 versus 2872, an 86.5% delta. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the gap is 73.4%, with 32521 versus 18759. PassMark multi-thread shows 49731 versus 33486, a 48.5% lead. The data compression test shows 650984 versus 400887, a 62.4% advantage. Random string sorting goes to the 8940HX at 75381 versus 43196, a 74.5% win. Find prime numbers scores 251 versus 145, a 73.1% margin.

The AI Max+ 388 takes the single-core contests. PassMark single-thread reads 4185 versus 3874, a 7.4% lead. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 298 versus 292, a 2% gain. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 1960 versus 1917, a 2.2% gain. The remaining wins for the 8940HX include extended instructions at 47802 versus 32719 (46.1%), floating point math at 113921 versus 72722 (56.7%), integer math at 189221 versus 109588 (72.7%), and data encryption at 39318 versus 20092 (95.7%). Physics also favors the 8940HX: 2104 versus 1843, a 14.2% advantage.

The 8940HX's largest win is in data encryption, where it nearly doubles the AI Max+ 388's score. The AI Max+ 388's largest win is in PassMark single-thread at 7.4%. The benchmark record shows 11 wins for the 8940HX and 4 for the AI Max+ 388.

Specification Differences

| Field | AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX | AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 |

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

| Cores | 16 | 8 |

| Threads | 32 | 16 |

| Base clock | 2.40 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.30 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| Socket | AMD Socket FL1 | AMD Socket FP11 |

| Architecture | Zen 4 | Zen 5 |

| Codename | Dragon Range | Strix Halo |

| Process node | 5 nm | 4 nm |

| Transistors | 13,140 million | Not recorded |

| Die size | 2x 71 mm² | 2x 70.6 mm² |

| L1 cache | 64 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 cache | 1 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 64 MB | 32 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR5 | LPDDR5X |

| Memory bus | Dual-channel | Quad-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 83.2 GB/s | 256.0 GB/s |

| ECC memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 28 Lanes | Gen 4, 16 Lanes |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon 610M | Radeon 8060S |

| Multiplier unlocked | Yes | No |

| Release date | 2025-04-22 | 2026-01-05 |

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX has 16 cores and 32 threads. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What is the single-core performance difference?

A: The AI Max+ 388 leads in PassMark single-thread with 4185 versus 3874, a 7.4% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it leads 1960 versus 1917, a 2.2% edge.

Q: How large is the multi-core gap?

A: The 8940HX leads Cinebench R23 multi-core by 73.4%, scoring 32521 versus 18759. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the lead is 86.5%, with 5355 versus 2872.

Q: Which chip supports faster memory?

A: The AI Max+ 388 supports LPDDR5X with a quad-channel bus and 256.0 GB/s bandwidth. The 8940HX uses DDR5 with a dual-channel bus and 83.2 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Do both processors use the same manufacturing process?

A: No. The 8940HX uses a 5 nm process from TSMC, while the AI Max+ 388 uses a 4 nm process from TSMC.

Q: Which processor has ECC memory support?

A: The AI Max+ 388 supports ECC memory. The 8940HX does not.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 9 8940HX wins in all heavy parallel compute tasks. The data shows a 95.7% lead in data encryption, a 73.4% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core, and a 72.7% lead in integer math. It also wins in data compression, extended instructions, floating point math, random string sorting, find prime numbers, and multithread workloads. Its 16 cores and 32 threads provide the foundation for these results. The 8940HX also leads in physics tests, with a 14.2% margin, and uses PCIe Gen 5 with 28 lanes, which suits high-throughput expansion.

The Ryzen AI Max+ 388 wins in single-thread performance. Its PassMark single-thread score of 4185 is 7.4% higher, and its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1960 is 2.2% higher. The Zen 5 architecture and higher base clock of 3.60 GHz contribute to this. The AI Max+ 388 also offers a 256.0 GB/s memory interface, which is 3x the bandwidth of the 8940HX's 83.2 GB/s. This memory bandwidth advantage, combined with ECC support, positions it for memory-intensive tasks that do not scale with core count. Its Radeon 8060S integrated graphics are a different class from the Radeon 610M in the 8940HX, although no graphics benchmarks are recorded in the database.

The overall average benchmark score confirms the split: 81103 for the 8940HX versus 49796 for the AI Max+ 388. The 8940HX sits in the 95th percentile of all CPUs, while the AI Max+ 388 sits in the 90th. The nearest rival data places the 8940HX alongside the Intel Xeon w5-3535X and Intel Core i9-14900KS, both at a 0% delta. The AI Max+ 388's nearest rival is the Intel Core 9 273PE at -0.1%. These positions reflect the 8940HX's higher aggregate throughput and the AI Max+ 388's specialized single-thread and memory strengths.