AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D vs AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 Comparison

FAQ

Q: What is the core and thread count difference between the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D and the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388?

A: The Ryzen 9 9955HX3D has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Ryzen AI Max+ 388 has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Ryzen 9 9955HX3D boosts up to 5.40 GHz, while the Ryzen AI Max+ 388 boosts up to 5.00 GHz.

Q: How does the memory bandwidth compare between these two chips?

A: The Ryzen AI Max+ 388 uses quad-channel LPDDR5X memory with a bandwidth of 256.0 GB/s. The Ryzen 9 9955HX3D uses dual-channel DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s.

Q: What are the integrated graphics options?

A: The Ryzen 9 9955HX3D includes a Radeon 610M, while the Ryzen AI Max+ 388 includes a Radeon 8060S.

Q: What is the L3 cache capacity difference?

A: The Ryzen 9 9955HX3D has 128 MB of L3 cache, while the Ryzen AI Max+ 388 has 32 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What are the percentile rankings for each processor?

A: The Ryzen 9 9955HX3D ranks in the 96th percentile among all CPUs, while the Ryzen AI Max+ 388 ranks in the 90th percentile.

The Verdict

The data records 15 benchmark wins for the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D and zero wins for the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388. The Ryzen 9 9955HX3D delivers substantially higher multi-threaded performance, with its average benchmark score of 97453 compared to 49796 for the Ryzen AI Max+ 388. The Ryzen AI Max+ 388 counters with a quad-channel memory interface and a more capable integrated GPU, the Radeon 8060S.

For workloads driven by CPU compute, the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D is the clear choice. Its 16 cores, 32 threads, and 128 MB of L3 cache produce a 103.4% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core. The Ryzen AI Max+ 388 has half the cores, half the threads, and one quarter of the L3 cache, which shows directly in the benchmark gap.

The Ryzen AI Max+ 388 suits systems where memory bandwidth and integrated graphics matter more than raw CPU throughput. Its 256.0 GB/s memory bandwidth, quad-channel bus, and Radeon 8060S graphics provide capabilities the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D does not offer. The Ryzen 9 9955HX3D relies on a Radeon 610M for graphics and a dual-channel DDR5 bus at 89.6 GB/s.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Ryzen 9 9955HX3D wins every recorded head-to-head comparison. The largest margin appears in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D scores 525 versus 145 for the Ryzen AI Max+ 388, a 262.1% advantage. This result reflects the core count and cache differences directly.

Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a 110.4% lead for the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D, with scores of 6042.5 versus 2872. Cinebench R23 multi-core follows a similar pattern: 38161.5 against 18759, a 103.4% difference. These are the two most representative tests for sustained all-core workloads.

The Ryzen 9 9955HX3D also leads in PassMark physics with 4687 versus 1843, a 154.3% margin. PassMark integer math shows a 103% lead (222503 versus 109588), and PassMark floating point math shows a 98.2% lead (144122 versus 72722). PassMark data encryption records a 96.3% advantage, with 39446 versus 20092.

Single-thread results are closer but still favor the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 2159.5 versus 1960, a 10.2% lead. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 332 versus 298, an 11.4% lead. PassMark single-thread shows 4511 versus 4185, a 7.8% lead. The Ryzen 9 9955HX3D has a higher boost clock at 5.40 GHz versus 5.00 GHz, which explains part of this edge.

The Ryzen 9 9955HX3D also wins PassMark multi-thread with 62674 versus 33486, a 87.2% lead. PassMark random string sorting shows 83497 versus 43196, a 93.3% lead. PassMark data compression shows 785811 versus 400887, a 96% lead. PassMark extended instructions shows 62813 versus 32719, a 92% lead.

Specification Differences

The Ryzen 9 9955HX3D uses AMD Socket FL1, while the Ryzen AI Max+ 388 uses AMD Socket FP11. Both are mobile processors with a 55 W TDP. They share the same foundry, TSMC, and the same 4 nm process node. Both have a die size of 2x 70.6 mm².

The Ryzen 9 9955HX3D has an unlocked multiplier; the Ryzen AI Max+ 388 does not. The Ryzen 9 9955HX3D supports PCIe Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only), while the Ryzen AI Max+ 388 supports PCIe Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Both support ECC memory.

Memory support differs significantly. The Ryzen 9 9955HX3D uses dual-channel DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Ryzen AI Max+ 388 uses quad-channel LPDDR5X with 256.0 GB/s bandwidth. The release dates differ as well: the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D released on 2025-01-05, and the Ryzen AI Max+ 388 released on 2026-01-05.

The integrated graphics differ: Radeon 610M for the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D, Radeon 8060S for the Ryzen AI Max+ 388. The Ryzen 9 9955HX3D has a part number of 100-000001030, while the Ryzen AI Max+ 388 has a part number of 100-000001980.

Architecture Differences

Both processors use the Zen 5 architecture and are built on a 4 nm TSMC process. The Ryzen 9 9955HX3D is part of the Fire Range family within the 9000 series, while the Ryzen AI Max+ 388 is part of the Strix Halo family under the Ryzen AI Max branding.

The core configurations differ sharply. The Ryzen 9 9955HX3D has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Ryzen AI Max+ 388 has 8 cores and 16 threads. L1 and L2 cache are identical per core: 80 KB L1 and 1 MB L2. The L3 cache differs: 128 MB for the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D versus 32 MB shared for the Ryzen AI Max+ 388.

The Ryzen 9 9955HX3D has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The Ryzen AI Max+ 388 has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The higher base clock on the Ryzen AI Max+ 388 does not compensate for the lower core count in multi-threaded tests.

The transistor count for the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D is recorded as 16,630 million. The transistor count for the Ryzen AI Max+ 388 is not recorded in the database. Both chips share the same die size of 2x 70.6 mm².

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 9 9955HX3D wins all 15 recorded benchmark comparisons. Its strengths center on multi-core throughput, large cache, and single-thread performance. The 128 MB L3 cache and 16-core configuration drive the 110.4% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core and the 103.4% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core. The 262.1% margin in PassMark find prime numbers indicates a strong result for integer-heavy, cache-sensitive workloads.

The Ryzen AI Max+ 388 does not win any recorded benchmark, but its architecture targets a different set of priorities. The quad-channel LPDDR5X memory bus provides 256.0 GB/s bandwidth, nearly three times the 89.6 GB/s of the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D. The Radeon 8060S integrated GPU is a more capable graphics solution than the Radeon 610M. For systems that offload graphics and memory-intensive tasks to the integrated components, the Ryzen AI Max+ 388 has the structural advantage.

The Ryzen 9 9955HX3D sits in the 96th percentile among all CPUs, with nearest rivals including the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX (1.1% lower average score), the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 9945 (1.4% higher average score), the AMD EPYC 4565P (1.8% higher average score), and the AMD EPYC 9175F (1.9% higher average score). The Ryzen AI Max+ 388 sits in the 90th percentile, with nearest rivals including the Intel Core 9 273PE (0.1% lower average score), the Intel Core i5-14600KF (0.8% higher average score), the AMD Ryzen 9 7900 (1.2% higher average score), and the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5755G (1.2% higher average score).

The recorded data indicates that the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D is the processor for CPU-bound workloads, especially those that use many cores and large caches. The Ryzen AI Max+ 388 is the processor for platforms that prioritize memory bandwidth and integrated graphics performance, though its CPU benchmark results trail the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D across every measured test.