AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 vs Intel Core Ultra 9 288V Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data splits these two mobile processors into clearly different roles. The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 wins 8 of the 11 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 288V wins 3. The AMD part delivers substantially higher multi-threaded throughput, with a PassMark multithread score of 31817 against Intel's 19810, a 60.6% advantage. That result, combined with a 167.7% lead in integer math, positions the P185 as the stronger choice for heavily parallel workloads such as data compression, encryption, and extended instruction processing.

The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V counters with a single-thread score of 4274 versus 3977 for the AMD part, a 6.9% edge, and a 33.8% advantage in prime number finding. These wins point to workloads that depend on per-core responsiveness rather than raw thread count. The Intel part also draws from a higher base clock of 3.30 GHz compared to 2.00 GHz for the AMD part, though both boost to 5.10 GHz.

The database's aggregate percentile ranking favors the AMD processor: it sits at the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel part sits at the 76th. The average benchmark score reinforces this gap, 62839 for the P185 versus 23219 for the 288V. However, that average includes tests where the AMD part dominates heavily, so it should not be read as a measure of all-around capability. The data indicates that users prioritizing multi-core throughput should select the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185, while those needing the highest single-thread performance and leaner core count should consider the Intel Core Ultra 9 288V.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different manufacturing nodes and design philosophies. AMD builds the P185 on a 4 nm process at TSMC, using a 233 mm² die. Intel builds the 288V on a 3 nm process at the same foundry. The AMD part is part of the Gorgon Point generation, using a mix of Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores, while the Intel part is a Lunar Lake architecture chip from the Core Ultra Series 2 generation.

Core counts differ sharply. The AMD P185 provides 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel 288V provides 8 cores and 8 threads. The Intel part has no simultaneous multithreading, which explains its thread count matching its core count. Cache layouts also diverge. The AMD part uses 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of L3. The Intel part uses 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3.

Memory support differs as well. The AMD P185 supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a dual-channel bus with 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth, and it includes ECC memory support. The Intel 288V supports only LPDDR5X, also dual-channel, but with a higher 136.5 GB/s of bandwidth and no ECC support. The AMD part offers PCIe Gen 4 with 16 CPU lanes, while the Intel part offers PCIe Gen 5 with 4 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics also differ: the AMD part uses the Radeon 890M, while the Intel part uses the Arc 140V.

The release timeline separates the two as well. The Intel part records a release date of 2024-09-23, while the AMD part records 2026-02-28. Both remain in active production. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V scores 4274 in the PassMark single-thread test, while the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 scores 3977, giving Intel a 6.9% advantage.

Q: How large is the multi-thread performance gap?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 scores 31817 in the PassMark multithread test, compared to 19810 for the Intel Core Ultra 9 288V, a 60.6% difference.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 includes ECC memory support. The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V does not.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD part supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X, while the Intel part supports only LPDDR5X. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

Q: Which processor has the higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V records 136.5 GB/s, while the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 records 89.6 GB/s.

Q: What is the core and thread count for each?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V has 8 cores and 8 threads.

Specification Differences

The base clock differs notably: the AMD P185 runs at 2.00 GHz, while the Intel 288V runs at 3.30 GHz. Both reach a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. The TDP differs slightly, with the AMD part rated at 28 and the Intel part at 30.

The process node separates them: AMD uses 4 nm, Intel uses 3 nm. The AMD die size is recorded at 233 mm², while no die size is listed for the Intel part. Cache configurations differ across all levels. The AMD part provides 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 16 MB L3. The Intel part provides 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3.

Memory support differs: the AMD part supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X, the Intel part supports only LPDDR5X. Memory bandwidth favors Intel at 136.5 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s. ECC memory is present on the AMD part and absent on the Intel part. PCIe generation and lane counts differ: AMD provides Gen 4 with 16 CPU lanes, Intel provides Gen 5 with 4 CPU lanes.

Integrated graphics differ: AMD uses the Radeon 890M, Intel uses the Arc 140V. The socket types are different as well: AMD uses AMD Socket FP8, Intel uses Intel BGA 2833. The release dates separate them, with Intel at 2024-09-23 and AMD at 2026-02-28.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single victory in the recorded data belongs to the AMD part in integer math. The P185 scores 117832 against 44019 for the Intel part, a 167.7% margin. Data compression follows a similar pattern, with the AMD part at 374429 versus 186521, a 100.7% advantage. Random string sorting gives the AMD part a 79.3% lead, scoring 40557 against 22622. Extended instructions show a 70% edge for the AMD part, 26544 versus 15613. The multithread test gives the AMD part a 60.6% lead, 31817 versus 19810. Data encryption favors the AMD part by 38.7%, 19612 versus 14141. Floating point math gives the AMD part an 18.6% edge, 70587 versus 59536. Physics shows the narrowest AMD win, 1772 versus 1637, an 8.2% difference.

The Intel part wins three tests. Prime number finding shows the Intel part at 195 versus 129 for the AMD part, a 33.8% advantage. The single-thread test and its duplicate both record 4274 for Intel versus 3977 for AMD, a 6.9% edge each.

The AMD part also holds the higher average benchmark score, 62839 versus 23219, and the higher percentile ranking, 93 versus 76. The nearest rival data for the AMD part shows it within 0.5% of the AMD Ryzen AI 9 PRO 465 and within 0.2% of the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX. The Intel part sits within 0.3% of the Intel Core Ultra 7 266V and within 0.2% of the AMD EPYC 4124P.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 wins in workloads that scale with core count and thread count. Its 12 cores and 24 threads, combined with a 24-core thread scheduling advantage, drive large margins in integer math, data compression, random string sorting, extended instructions, and multithreaded benchmarks. The 167.7% integer math lead and the 100.7% data compression lead indicate that the AMD part is better suited for database operations, file compression pipelines, and encryption-heavy tasks. The 38.7% encryption advantage and the 79.3% random string sorting advantage reinforce this pattern. Physics simulation also favors the AMD part, though by the narrowest margin at 8.2%.

The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V wins where single-thread responsiveness matters more than thread scaling. Its 6.9% single-thread advantage and 33.8% prime number finding advantage suggest it handles branch-heavy or latency-sensitive single-threaded code more efficiently. The higher base clock of 3.30 GHz supports this interpretation. The Intel part also carries a memory bandwidth advantage, 136.5 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s, which may benefit workloads that stream data through the LPDDR5X bus, though the recorded benchmarks do not isolate that effect.

For users reading the aggregate data, the AMD part is the stronger processor in the majority of measured tests. The Intel part is the stronger choice only in the specific categories where per-core speed outranks parallel throughput. The recorded data does not show a scenario where the Intel part matches the AMD part in multi-threaded or math-intensive workloads.