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

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H records an average benchmark score of 43210, which places it in the 88th percentile of all CPUs. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 averages 37093, sitting in the 85th percentile.

Q: How much faster is the Intel chip in multi-core rendering?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H scores 20547 versus 16054 for the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450, a 21.9% advantage. The Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows a similar gap, with Intel leading 3223 to 2457, a 23.8% difference.

Q: Does the AMD processor win any benchmark comparisons?

A: No. Across the 15 head-to-head benchmark comparisons recorded in the database, the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H wins every single one. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 records zero wins.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest gap appears in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where Intel scores 341 versus AMD's 84, a 75.4% difference. The floating point math test also shows a massive gap: Intel at 108527 versus AMD at 52971, a 51.2% difference.

Q: Are there any close benchmark results?

A: Yes. In PassMark integer math, Intel scores 87284 versus AMD's 86227, a slim 1.2% margin. Cinebench R23 single-core is also close, with Intel at 2071.5 versus AMD's 2010, a 3% difference.

Q: Which processor uses more memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H supports 115.2 GB/s of memory bandwidth, while the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 supports 89.6 GB/s. Both use dual-channel memory with DDR5 and LPDDR5X support.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 uses the Zen 5 architecture under the Gorgon Point codename, fabricated on a 4 nm process at TSMC. It belongs to the Ryzen AI PRO 400 generation, which mixes Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores. The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H uses the Panther Lake architecture, fabricated on a 3 nm process at Intel, and belongs to the Ultra 9 Panther Lake-H generation.

Core counts differ sharply. AMD provides 8 cores and 16 threads, while Intel provides 16 cores and 16 threads. This means Intel relies on a 1:1 core-to-thread ratio, while AMD implements simultaneous multithreading to double its thread count from 8 to 16.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. AMD allocates 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of L3 total. Intel allocates 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. The Intel L3 cache is more than double the AMD L3 capacity.

Process node differences favor Intel at 3 nm versus AMD's 4 nm, though both target mobile platforms. The AMD chip uses an AMD Socket FP8, while Intel uses Intel BGA 2540. Both processors are actively produced and were released on the same date.

PCIe support differs: AMD offers Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while Intel offers Gen 5 with 12 lanes (CPU only). This gives AMD more lanes but at an older standard.

ECC memory support is present on the AMD chip but absent on the Intel chip. Integrated graphics also differ: AMD uses Radeon 860M, while Intel uses Intel Xe3 Graphics.

Die size information is available only for AMD at 195 mm²; the Intel die size is not recorded. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The benchmark data delivers a decisive verdict: the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H outperforms the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 across every recorded test. The Intel chip wins all 15 head-to-head comparisons, and its average benchmark score of 43210 sits 16.5% above AMD's 37093 average. The Intel processor also holds a higher percentile ranking at 88 versus AMD's 85.

The Intel part's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 (delta of -0.3%), the AMD Ryzen AI 9 465 (-0.5%), and the Intel Core i9-12900 (+0.7%). The AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450's nearest rivals are the Intel Core i9-12900T, AMD Ryzen 7 160, Intel Core i7-13700, and AMD Ryzen 7 7735H, all within 0.2% of its average score. This places the AMD chip in a competitive tier with desktop-class parts from previous generations, while the Intel chip competes with newer, higher-tier mobile processors.

For workloads that stress multi-core performance, heavy computation, or encryption, the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H is the clear choice. The AMD processor still holds value for systems requiring ECC memory support or a larger PCIe lane count. The AMD chip also uses a smaller die at 195 mm², which may matter for certain platform designs. However, from pure benchmark performance, the data shows no scenario where the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 leads.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several core specification fields. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H has 16 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are close, with AMD at 2.00 GHz and Intel at 2.10 GHz. Boost clocks favor AMD at 5.10 GHz versus Intel's 4.90 GHz.

Thermal design power differs slightly: AMD is rated at 28 W, Intel at 25 W. Process nodes differ: AMD uses 4 nm at TSMC, Intel uses 3 nm at Intel. The AMD chip has an 8 MB L3 cache, while Intel has 18 MB of shared L3. L1 cache per core is 80 KB for AMD and 192 KB for Intel. L2 cache per core is 1 MB for AMD and 2.5 MB for Intel.

Memory bandwidth favors Intel at 115.2 GB/s versus AMD's 89.6 GB/s. ECC memory is supported by AMD but not by Intel. PCIe implementation differs: AMD provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes, Intel provides Gen 5 with 12 lanes. Sockets differ: AMD Socket FP8 versus Intel BGA 2540. Integrated graphics differ: Radeon 860M versus Intel Xe3 Graphics. The AMD die measures 195 mm²; the Intel die size is not recorded. Part numbers also differ: 100-000001865 for AMD, SA4R5Q9EH for Intel.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H dominates the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, Intel scores 20547 against AMD's 16054, a 21.9% lead. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows Intel at 3223 versus AMD's 2457, a 23.8% margin. Single-core results are closer but still favor Intel: Cinebench R23 single-core has Intel at 2071.5 versus AMD's 2010, a 3% difference, and Cinebench R15 single-core has Intel at 303.5 versus AMD's 220, a 27.5% gap.

PassMark results amplify the Intel advantage. The largest margins appear in specialized math workloads. PassMark find prime numbers shows Intel at 341 versus AMD's 84, a 75.4% difference, the largest gap in the dataset. PassMark floating point math gives Intel 108527 versus AMD's 52971, a 51.2% lead. PassMark physics shows Intel at 3028 versus AMD's 1337, a 55.8% difference. PassMark data encryption gives Intel 27150 versus AMD's 14925, a 45% lead.

Other PassMark tests also favor Intel substantially. PassMark extended instructions shows Intel at 29138 versus AMD's 20778, a 28.7% margin. PassMark multithread gives Intel 35399 versus AMD's 24779, a 30% lead. PassMark data compression shows Intel at 352365 versus AMD's 294298, a 16.5% difference. PassMark random string sorting gives Intel 42135 versus AMD's 32344, a 23.2% margin.

The closest results are in single-threaded and integer workloads. PassMark single-thread shows Intel at 4218 versus AMD's 3955, a 6.2% difference. PassMark integer math is nearly identical: Intel at 87284 versus AMD's 86227, a 1.2% margin. These narrow gaps indicate that the AMD chip's 5.10 GHz boost clock helps it stay competitive in lightly threaded integer tasks, but the Intel chip's higher core count and larger cache drive decisive wins in multi-core and math-heavy workloads.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H wins in every benchmark category recorded. Its strengths are most pronounced in parallel computing tasks: multi-core rendering, physics simulation, floating point math, and data encryption all show Intel advantages of 21.9% or more. The 16-core configuration with 16 threads and 18 MB of shared L3 provides substantial throughput for heavily threaded applications.

The AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 does not win any benchmark category, but its closest performances offer insight into where it remains viable. In PassMark integer math, the AMD chip trails by only 1.2%, indicating competitive performance in integer-heavy single-thread workloads. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the 3% deficit shows that the AMD chip's 5.10 GHz boost clock keeps it near parity for lightly threaded tasks. The AMD chip also supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the Intel part, and offers 16 PCIe Gen 4 lanes versus Intel's 12 Gen 5 lanes, which may benefit certain expansion configurations.

For multi-core rendering, encryption, compression, or physics workloads, the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H is the stronger processor by a wide margin. For integer math and single-threaded tasks, the two are close enough that platform-level features such as ECC support or PCIe lane count could decide the choice. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 also uses a lower 28 W TDP versus Intel's 25 W, though both are mobile-class parts. The data shows a clear overall winner, but the AMD chip retains specific feature advantages that may matter in niche deployments.