AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G vs Intel Core Ultra 9 386H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data splits 11 recorded PassMark tests between the two processors, with Intel taking 6 wins and AMD taking 5. The margins tell a more interesting story than the raw win count.

AMD's Ryzen AI 7 450G delivers its largest victory in data compression, scoring 402831 against Intel's 352365, a 14.3% advantage. Integer math shows the same 14.3% delta, with AMD at 99732 versus Intel's 87284. These two wins share identical percentage margins, suggesting the AMD core architecture handles these workloads with consistent efficiency. Single-thread performance also favors AMD, with a 4309 score against Intel's 4218, a 2.2% edge. Random string sorting goes to AMD by a slim 1.3% margin, 42663 versus 42135.

Intel's Core Ultra 9 386H counters with several decisive victories. The largest gap appears in prime number finding, where Intel scores 341 against AMD's 87, a 74.5% advantage. Floating-point math shows Intel at 108527 versus AMD's 63683, a 41.3% lead. Physics simulation favors Intel heavily as well, 3028 versus 1440, a 52.4% gap. Data encryption goes to Intel at 27150 against AMD's 18937, a 30.3% margin. Extended instructions see Intel ahead by a modest 3.1%, 29138 versus 28223. The multithread test gives Intel 35399 against AMD's 30422, a 14.1% advantage.

The pattern is clear. AMD wins where integer operations and compression dominate, while Intel wins where floating-point, encryption, and parallel physics calculations matter. The multithread result, despite Intel having 16 cores versus AMD's 8, shows only a 14.1% gap, indicating AMD's per-core throughput helps close part of the core-count difference.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. AMD's Ryzen AI 7 450G uses the Gorgon Point codename, part of the Ryzen AI 400 generation built on Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores. Intel's Core Ultra 9 386H uses Panther Lake architecture, belonging to the Core Ultra Series 3 generation under the Panther Lake-H designation.

Process nodes differ significantly. AMD uses a 4 nm process from TSMC, while Intel uses a 3 nm process from its own foundry. Intel's smaller node gives it a density advantage, though AMD's die size is measured at 195 mm² while Intel's die size is not recorded.

Core configurations diverge sharply. AMD offers 8 cores and 16 threads, while Intel provides 16 cores and 16 threads. Intel's thread count matching its core count indicates the absence of simultaneous multithreading for its 16 physical cores, whereas AMD doubles its 8 cores to 16 threads. Cache structures reflect these differences. Intel allocates 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and a shared 18 MB L3. AMD provides 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 8 MB of L3.

Memory bandwidth numbers favor Intel. Both support DDR5 and LPDDR5X with dual-channel buses, but Intel records 115.2 GB/s while AMD records 89.6 GB/s. Intel also supports PCIe Gen 5 with 12 CPU lanes, while AMD uses PCIe Gen 4 with the same lane count. AMD supports ECC memory; Intel does not.

Other differences matter for system integration. AMD uses Socket AM5, a desktop platform, and its multiplier is unlocked. Intel uses BGA 2540, a mobile socket, with a locked multiplier. AMD's integrated graphics is the Radeon 860M, while Intel uses Xe3 Graphics. AMD's market segment is Desktop; Intel's is Mobile. AMD's TDP is 65, while Intel's is 25. Clock speeds see AMD at 2.00 GHz base and 5.10 GHz boost, while Intel sits at 2.10 GHz base and 4.90 GHz boost.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data supports distinct usage profiles. AMD's Ryzen AI 7 450G wins in single-thread performance, integer math, data compression, and random string sorting. These workloads suggest responsiveness in everyday tasks, file compression utilities, and applications that rely on integer arithmetic. The 2.2% single-thread lead and the 14.3% compression advantage point to a processor that handles interactive workloads with slight superiority.

Intel's Core Ultra 9 386H excels in floating-point math, prime number finding, physics simulation, data encryption, extended instructions, and multithreaded workloads. The 41.3% floating-point lead and 52.4% physics advantage indicate strong performance in scientific computing, engineering simulations, and 3D rendering. The 30.3% encryption edge suits security-focused applications. The 14.1% multithread win, while modest given the 2x core count, still positions Intel ahead for heavily parallel tasks.

The percentile data adds context. AMD sits at the 93rd percentile among all CPUs, while Intel sits at the 88th. The average benchmark scores tell a different story: AMD records 63331, while Intel records 43210. This large average score gap, despite Intel winning more head-to-head tests, reflects the weighting of the benchmark suite. AMD's nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX at 63173 (0.2% delta), the Intel Core i7-13790F at 63080 (0.4%), the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 at 63765 (-0.7%), and the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 at 62839 (0.8%). Intel's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 at 43326 (-0.3%), the AMD Ryzen AI 9 465 at 43431 (-0.5%), the Intel Core i9-12900 at 42906 (0.7%), and the Intel Core i9-12900KF at 42830 (0.9%).

FAQ

Q: Which processor has higher single-thread performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G scores 4309 in the PassMark single-thread test, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H scores 4218. AMD leads by 2.2%.

Q: How large is Intel's advantage in floating-point math?

A: Intel scores 108527 against AMD's 63683, a 41.3% lead. This is one of Intel's largest margins across all tested workloads.

Q: Does the 16-core Intel processor dominate multithreaded workloads?

A: Intel wins the multithread test with 35399 versus AMD's 30422, but the 14.1% margin is smaller than the 2x core count might suggest. AMD's 8 cores with 16 threads close much of the gap.

Q: What is the difference in process node technology?

A: AMD uses a 4 nm process from TSMC, while Intel uses a 3 nm process from its own foundry. Intel's node is one step smaller.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G supports ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H does not.

Q: How do the two processors compare in data encryption?

A: Intel leads significantly, scoring 27150 against AMD's 18937, a 30.3% advantage.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G | Intel Core Ultra 9 386H |

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

| Cores | 8 | 16 |

| Threads | 16 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.00 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.10 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| TDP | 65 | 25 |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM5 | Intel BGA 2540 |

| Architecture | Gorgon Point | Panther Lake |

| Generation | Ryzen AI 400 (Zen 5 / Zen 5c) | Ultra 9 (Panther Lake-H) |

| Process Node | 4 nm (TSMC) | 3 nm (Intel) |

| Die Size | 195 mm² | Not recorded |

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

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

| L3 Cache | 8 MB | 18 MB shared |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 115.2 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 12 Lanes | Gen 5, 12 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 860M | Intel Xe3 Graphics |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | 100-000001917 | SA4R5Q9EH |

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split based on workload priorities. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G wins 5 of 11 tests, including the critical single-thread metric, integer math, and compression tasks. Its 93rd percentile ranking and 63331 average benchmark score place it in a higher overall performance tier than Intel's 88th percentile and 43210 average score. The nearest rival data confirms this positioning: AMD competes with processors averaging around 63000, while Intel competes with processors averaging around 43000.

The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H wins 6 tests, but its victories concentrate in specific domains: floating-point math, physics, encryption, and prime number finding. The 16-core configuration delivers a multithread win, yet the 14.1% margin does not reflect a doubling of cores. Intel's 25 TDP versus AMD's 65 indicates a more power-efficient design, which aligns with its mobile market segment.

For users prioritizing single-thread responsiveness, integer-heavy workloads, data compression, and overall average benchmark scores, the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G presents the stronger profile. For users prioritizing floating-point computation, physics simulation, encryption, and parallel throughput, the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H delivers the recorded advantages. The choice depends on which benchmark categories match the intended applications.