AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 vs AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 offers 128.0 GB/s of memory bandwidth, compared to 89.6 GB/s on the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 has a boost clock of 5.10 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 boosts to 4.90 GHz.

Q: How do the L3 caches compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 has 16 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 has 8 MB of L3 cache.

Q: Which processor sits at a higher performance percentile?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 is in the 90th percentile against all CPUs, whereas the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 is in the 87th percentile.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 records an average benchmark score of 48171, which is notably higher than the 39485 average of the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on the Zen 5 architecture using a 4 nm process from TSMC, but they belong to different product lines. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 comes from the Gorgon Point generation and uses a hybrid arrangement of Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 is part of the Strix Halo generation and uses only full Zen 5 cores.

The core configurations differ significantly. The AI 7 450 brings 8 cores and 16 threads, while the AI Max PRO 380 fields 6 cores and 12 threads. Both share the same per-core L1 cache of 80 KB and per-core L2 cache of 1 MB. The L3 cache, however, is not equal: the AI 7 450 has 8 MB while the AI Max PRO 380 has 16 MB shared. That larger L3 pool gives the Max PRO 380 more room for data reuse across its fewer cores.

Clock behavior also separates the two. The AI 7 450 runs a 2.00 GHz base clock with a 5.10 GHz boost, while the AI Max PRO 380 starts higher at 3.60 GHz base but boosts only to 4.90 GHz. The higher base clock on the Max PRO 380 suggests sustained performance at lower loads, while the AI 7 450 can peak higher under boost.

Memory support diverges as well. The AI 7 450 supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a dual-channel bus with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The AI Max PRO 380 supports only LPDDR5X but over the same dual-channel configuration, delivering 128.0 GB/s. Both support ECC memory. The integrated graphics differ: the AI 7 450 uses Radeon 860M, and the AI Max PRO 380 uses Radeon 8040S.

Both use AMD Socket FP8 and FP11 respectively, with PCIe Gen 4 across 16 lanes for CPU-only connections. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. The AI 7 450 was released in early 2026, while the AI Max PRO 380 arrived in early 2025. The AI Max PRO 380 carries a higher TDP of 55, compared to 28 for the AI 7 450, which reflects its more aggressive power envelope.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data covers 11 benchmark tests, and the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 wins 8 of them. The largest victory comes in passmark_physics, where the AI 7 450 scores 1578 against 1120 for the AI Max PRO 380, a 40.9% advantage. That is a decisive gap and points to a substantial edge in simulation workloads.

Another strong win for the AI 7 450 is in passmark_find_prime_numbers, with a score of 89 versus 75, a 18.7% lead. Integer-heavy workloads also favor the AI 7 450: passmark_integer_math shows 88531 against 79789, an 11% margin, and passmark_data_encryption shows 16247 against 14502, a 12% lead. Random string sorting goes to the AI 7 450 by 14.4%, with scores of 35648 and 31153. Multithread performance favors the AI 7 450 at 26350 versus 24244, an 8.7% edge. Data compression also lands with the AI 7 450, 315906 versus 293595, a 7.6% difference. Floating point math is closer, with 54447 against 53084, a 2.6% win for the AI 7 450.

The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 takes the remaining 3 tests. Extended instructions show a 24333 score versus 22400, a 7.9% advantage for the Max PRO 380. Single-thread performance also favors the Max PRO 380, with 3995 against 3901, a 2.4% lead in both passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread, which are the same test recorded twice.

The pattern is clear. The AI 7 450 dominates in multi-threaded, integer-heavy, and physics-based tasks. The AI Max PRO 380 wins on single-thread and extended instruction workloads, but by smaller margins. The physics delta of 40.9% is the single largest gap in either direction, while the single-thread delta of 2.4% is the narrowest.

The Verdict

The data separates these two processors clearly by workload type. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 is the stronger multi-threaded performer. It wins 8 of 11 head-to-head tests, including the largest margin of any test, a 40.9% lead in physics. Its 8 cores and 16 threads give it a structural advantage in parallel tasks, and the benchmark results confirm that. Users running CPU-heavy simulations, data compression, encryption, or integer math will see better results on the AI 7 450.

The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 is the higher-percentile chip overall, sitting in the 90th percentile versus 87th for the AI 7 450. Its average benchmark score of 48171 is well above the 39485 of the AI 7 450. That overall average is driven by its superior single-thread and extended instruction results, plus its higher base clock and wider memory bandwidth. For single-thread responsiveness, light workloads, or tasks that use extended instruction sets, the Max PRO 380 delivers better numbers.

The performance percentile and average score favor the Max PRO 380, but the head-to-head wins favor the AI 7 450. That tension reflects different measurement approaches. The average benchmark score includes a broad set of tests, some of which favor the Max PRO 380. The head-to-head list is narrower and leans toward multi-threaded workloads. Buyers should weigh which set of tests matches their actual usage.

For a system that will run varied workloads, the Max PRO 380 has the higher overall ranking. For a system that will run multi-threaded compute tasks, the AI 7 450 wins more individual benchmarks. The choice depends on whether the workload is broad or specifically parallel.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on several specification fields. The AI 7 450 has 8 cores and 16 threads; the AI Max PRO 380 has 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks are 2.00 GHz for the AI 7 450 and 3.60 GHz for the AI Max PRO 380. Boost clocks are 5.10 GHz and 4.90 GHz respectively. TDP is 28 for the AI 7 450 and 55 for the AI Max PRO 380.

Sockets differ: the AI 7 450 uses AMD Socket FP8, and the AI Max PRO 380 uses AMD Socket FP11. The codenames differ as well, with Gorgon Point for the AI 7 450 and Strix Halo for the AI Max PRO 380. Generation names also differ, the AI 7 450 is in the Ryzen AI 400 series using Zen 5 and Zen 5c, while the AI Max PRO 380 is in the Ryzen AI Max PRO series using only Zen 5.

L3 cache is 8 MB on the AI 7 450 and 16 MB on the AI Max PRO 380. Memory support is DDR5 and LPDDR5X on the AI 7 450, while the AI Max PRO 380 supports only LPDDR5X. Memory bandwidth is 89.6 GB/s versus 128.0 GB/s. Integrated graphics are Radeon 860M on the AI 7 450 and Radeon 8040S on the AI Max PRO 380. Release dates are 2026-01-04 for the AI 7 450 and 2025-01-05 for the AI Max PRO 380. Part numbers are 100-000001868 and 100-000001425 respectively. Both share the same L1 and L2 cache sizes, ECC support, PCIe configuration, process node, foundry, and unlocked multiplier state.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 wins in multi-threaded and compute-heavy scenarios. Its 8-core, 16-thread layout drives wins in passmark_multithread, integer math, encryption, data compression, random string sorting, and prime number finding. The physics test is its strongest case, with a 40.9% lead. Any workload that scales across cores, such as rendering, encoding, or scientific simulation, should favor the AI 7 450 based on these numbers.

The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 wins in single-thread and extended instruction tasks. It records higher scores in passmark_single_thread and passmark_extended_instructions. Its higher base clock of 3.60 GHz and larger L3 cache likely contribute to these results. The wider memory bandwidth of 128.0 GB/s also gives it an edge in memory-sensitive single-threaded work. Its overall average benchmark score of 48171 and 90th percentile ranking indicate that in a mixed workload, it performs better on average than the AI 7 450.

Users who prioritize raw parallel throughput should look at the AI 7 450. Users who run a broader mix of tasks, including single-threaded applications, may see better average results on the AI Max PRO 380. The data does not support a single universal winner, it supports a split decision based on workload type.