AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 338H Comparison

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 and Intel Core Ultra 5 338H are both mobile processors aimed at thin-and-light laptops, but the benchmark data shows a clear performance hierarchy between them. In the head-to-head comparison, the Intel part wins all 11 recorded tests, with margins ranging from modest to overwhelming. The most decisive Intel victories come in compute-heavy workloads: the Core Ultra 5 338H scores 84,067 against 41,114 in floating-point math (a 51.1% lead), and 304 versus 57 in prime number finding (an 81.2% lead). Data encryption shows a 47.3% gap (21,367 vs. 11,267), and physics simulation favors Intel by 63.1% (2,697 vs. 995). The smallest Intel advantage is in integer math, where it leads 64,934 to 60,879, a 6.2% margin. Single-thread performance is closer but still favors Intel: 4,180 vs. 3,757, a 10.1% difference.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The single most lopsided result in the database is the prime number test, where Intel's 304 score is more than five times AMD's 57. This extreme delta suggests a fundamental throughput advantage in integer-heavy, branch-predictable workloads. Floating-point math shows a similar story: Intel's 84,067 is 51.1% higher than AMD's 41,114. Data compression favors Intel by 15.8% (276,539 vs. 232,803), while random string sorting shows a 26.8% gap (34,082 vs. 24,936). Extended instructions, which measure SIMD and vector throughput, give Intel a 30% lead (23,906 vs. 16,724). Multithreaded performance, a key indicator for productivity tasks, shows Intel ahead by 33.5% (28,717 vs. 19,091). The only test where the two chips are within single digits is integer math, where Intel's 64,934 beats AMD's 60,879 by just 6.2%. Across all benchmark categories, the data indicates a consistent Intel advantage, with no single workload where the AMD part closes the gap to within a few percent.

The overall average benchmark scores reflect this pattern. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 posts an average score of 37,762, which places it in the 86th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H has a lower average score of 33,989, sitting in the 84th percentile. This inversion, where the lower average score still wins every head-to-head test, is explained by the different benchmark suites each chip was tested with. The AMD part's average includes results from its PassMark suite, while the Intel chip's average pulls in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 scores, which are not comparable across suites. The head-to-head PassMark tests are the only direct apples-to-apples comparison, and Intel wins all of them.

Architecture Differences

The two processors use fundamentally different silicon designs. AMD's Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 is built on the Zen 5 architecture, specifically the Gorgon Point codename, and uses a 4 nm process node from TSMC. It has 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. Intel's Core Ultra 5 338H uses the Panther Lake architecture, also the codename, on Intel's own 3 nm process node. It features 12 cores and 12 threads, meaning it has twice the physical cores but no hyperthreading, with a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The core count disparity is likely the primary driver of Intel's multithreaded wins. AMD's chip has 6 cores each with 12 threads, while Intel's 12 single-threaded cores provide more parallel execution units.

Cache configurations differ sharply. AMD provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a 4 MB shared L3 cache. Intel offers 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and a much larger 18 MB shared L3. The larger L3 cache on Intel, combined with more L2 per core, gives it a substantial on-die memory buffer that likely reduces stalls in data-heavy workloads. Memory support also diverges: AMD accepts DDR5 and LPDDR5X, while Intel only lists LPDDR5X. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but Intel's memory bandwidth is rated at 136.5 GB/s versus AMD's 89.6 GB/s, a 52.3% advantage that explains some of the compression and encryption deltas. AMD supports ECC memory, Intel does not. PCIe connectivity differs as well, with AMD offering Gen 4 with 14 CPU lanes and Intel providing Gen 5 with 4 CPU lanes.

Integrated graphics are another point of separation. AMD pairs the CPU with a Radeon 840M, while Intel uses an Arc B370. The database does not include graphics benchmarks, so performance cannot be compared directly. Both chips are locked (multiplier unlocked is false for both), target the mobile market, and are listed as active production parts with the same release date of January 4, 2026. Neither has a recorded launch MSRP.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more physical cores, and does that matter for the benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H has 12 cores, while the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 has 6 cores. Both have 12 threads total, meaning Intel uses one thread per core and AMD uses two threads per core. The extra physical cores on Intel contribute to its 33.5% lead in the multithreaded PassMark test (28,717 vs. 19,091).

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

A: Intel scores 4,180 in the single-thread PassMark test, which is 10.1% higher than AMD's 3,757. This is the narrowest margin among the major CPU tests, indicating that per-core IPC is relatively close, but Intel still holds a clear edge.

Q: Does the AMD chip support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H does not. This is a feature that may matter for specific professional or server-like workloads, but it is not reflected in the benchmark scores.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth between the two?

A: The Intel chip is rated for 136.5 GB/s, while AMD is rated for 89.6 GB/s. That 52.3% bandwidth advantage likely explains Intel's 15.8% lead in data compression (276,539 vs. 232,803) and its 47.3% lead in data encryption (21,367 vs. 11,267), both of which are memory-sensitive.

Q: Which chip has a higher boost clock?

A: Intel boosts to 4.70 GHz, while AMD boosts to 4.50 GHz. Intel's boost clock is 200 MHz higher, but its base clock is slightly lower (1.90 GHz vs. 2.00 GHz). The higher boost contributes to Intel's single-thread win.

Q: Are there any benchmark tests where the AMD chip wins?

A: In the head-to-head comparison, the AMD chip wins zero tests out of eleven. Intel wins all eleven, with deltas ranging from 6.2% (integer math) to 81.2% (prime numbers).

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 | Intel Core Ultra 5 338H |

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

| Cores | 6 | 12 |

| Threads | 12 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 2.00 GHz | 1.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.50 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 25 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP8 | Intel BGA 2540 |

| Architecture | Zen 5 | Panther Lake |

| Codename | Gorgon Point | Panther Lake |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 2.5 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | 18 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5, LPDDR5X | LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 136.5 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 14 Lanes | Gen 5, 4 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 840M | Arc B370 |

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H wins every benchmark category in the head-to-head data. Its largest margins are in floating-point math (51.1% ahead), physics (63.1% ahead), and prime number finding (81.2% ahead). These results indicate a strong advantage in scientific computing, physics simulation, and any workload that relies heavily on mathematical throughput. The multithreaded score, 33.5% higher, positions Intel as the better choice for parallel productivity tasks such as video encoding, 3D rendering, and software compilation. Data encryption and compression also favor Intel by large margins, making it the stronger option for file archiving, database operations, and security-related processing. The Intel chip's 18 MB L3 cache and higher memory bandwidth provide a clear edge for data-intensive workloads.

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 has no benchmark wins in this comparison, but its specifications point to different strengths. It has a lower TDP of 28 W versus Intel's 25 W, so it is not more power-efficient on paper. However, it supports ECC memory, which is absent on Intel, making it the only option for workloads that require error-correcting memory. The AMD chip also uses a 4 nm TSMC process, whereas Intel uses a 3 nm node, but process size alone does not translate into benchmark performance. AMD's 4 MB L3 cache is far smaller than Intel's 18 MB, which likely contributes to its losses in memory-sensitive tests.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H is the faster processor in every measured workload. It leads by double digits in eight of eleven tests and by more than 50% in three of them. For users prioritizing raw CPU performance, multithreaded throughput, or memory bandwidth, the Intel part is the clear selection based on these benchmarks. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 offers ECC memory support and a different socket, but its performance is consistently lower across all PassMark tests. The choice comes down to platform requirements: if ECC memory is a hard requirement, the AMD chip is the only option; otherwise, the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H delivers superior benchmark results in every category recorded.