AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 vs Intel Core Ultra X9 388H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data from the database reveals a clear split between the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 and the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H. Intel wins nine of the eleven recorded head-to-head comparisons, while AMD takes two. The margins, however, are not uniform, and each processor shows distinct strengths across different workload types.

The most decisive Intel victory comes in the PassMark find prime numbers test. Intel scores 358 versus AMD's 129, a delta of 64 percent in Intel's favor. This is the largest single gap in the entire comparison. The physics test also heavily favors Intel, with a score of 3226 against AMD's 1772, a 45.1 percent advantage. Floating point math follows a similar pattern: Intel records 112550 while AMD manages 70587, a 37.3 percent lead. These results indicate that Intel's architecture handles integer-heavy and floating-point-heavy parallel workloads with substantially more efficiency.

Data encryption is another strong Intel result. The Core Ultra X9 388H scores 28490, which is 31.2 percent higher than AMD's 19612. Extended instructions also go to Intel by 11.4 percent, with scores of 29943 versus 26544. Even in multithread performance, Intel leads with 36811 against AMD's 31817, a 13.6 percent margin. Random string sorting shows a smaller Intel advantage of 7.8 percent, with 44010 versus 40557. Single-thread performance is closer but still Intel-favored: 4280 versus 3977, a 7.1 percent gap.

AMD's wins are narrower but notable. In data compression, AMD scores 374429 against Intel's 361763, a 3.5 percent edge. The largest AMD victory comes in integer math, where AMD records 117832 versus Intel's 90882, a 29.7 percent advantage. This suggests that AMD's Zen 5 cores handle integer arithmetic operations with remarkable proficiency, even while trailing in other computational domains.

The average benchmark score in the database tells a different story. AMD's average is 62839, while Intel's is 44466. This discrepancy appears because Intel's recorded results include Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 scores, which are not present in AMD's dataset. The PassMark-specific results are the direct comparables, and within those, Intel's overall lead is consistent but not universal. AMD's percentile ranking among all CPUs is 93, while Intel sits at 88, indicating that AMD's overall profile across the full benchmark suite places it higher in the global distribution.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to a straightforward conclusion: the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H delivers superior performance in most measured workloads. It wins nine of eleven head-to-head tests, including the critical single-thread, multithread, physics, and floating-point benchmarks. For users whose primary workloads involve encryption, extended instruction sets, prime number computation, or physics simulations, the Intel part is the clear choice based on the numbers.

The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185, however, shows a commanding lead in integer math, with a 29.7 percent advantage, and a smaller but real edge in data compression. The database places AMD in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, compared to Intel's 88th percentile. This suggests that in the broader context of all recorded processors, AMD's overall benchmark profile is stronger, even though Intel wins the direct head-to-head matchups.

The Intel part also delivers higher single-thread performance, which often matters more for everyday responsiveness and lightly threaded applications. AMD's advantage in integer math could be relevant for specific computational tasks, but the breadth of Intel's wins across the remaining tests makes it the more balanced performer in this direct comparison. Neither processor shows a universal dominance, but Intel's margin of victory in the majority of tests is the dominant pattern in the data.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core Ultra X9 388H scores 4280 in PassMark single-thread tests, while the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 scores 3977. Intel leads by 7.1 percent.

Q: How large is Intel's advantage in physics performance?

A: Intel scores 3226 in PassMark physics tests, compared to AMD's 1772. This gives Intel a 45.1 percent lead, the second-largest margin in the comparison.

Q: In which test does AMD show its biggest win over Intel?

A: AMD's largest win is in PassMark integer math, where it scores 117832 versus Intel's 90882, a 29.7 percent advantage.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?

A: AMD's average benchmark score is 62839, while Intel's is 44466. These figures include different test sets, as Intel's recorded data also contains Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 scores.

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

A: AMD scores 374429 in PassMark data compression, while Intel scores 361763. AMD wins by 3.5 percent.

Q: What are the percentile rankings for each processor?

A: AMD ranks in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, while Intel ranks in the 88th percentile.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several core specifications. AMD uses 12 cores and 24 threads, while Intel uses 16 cores and 16 threads. AMD's base clock is 2.00 GHz, and Intel's is 2.10 GHz. Both processors share a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. AMD's TDP is 28 watts, while Intel's is 25 watts.

AMD supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory, while Intel supports only LPDDR5X. Both use dual-channel memory buses. AMD records a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while Intel records 153.6 GB/s. AMD supports ECC memory, while Intel does not. AMD uses PCIe Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while Intel uses PCIe Gen 5 with 4 lanes (CPU only).

AMD's socket is AMD Socket FP8, and Intel's is Intel BGA 2540. AMD's integrated graphics are Radeon 890M, while Intel's are Arc B390. AMD's process node is 4 nm from TSMC, while Intel's is 3 nm from Intel. AMD's die size is 233 mm², while Intel's die size is not recorded in the database. AMD's release date is February 28, 2026, while Intel's is January 4, 2026. Both processors are active in production, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. Intel lists a part number of SA4QWQ9EK, while AMD's part number is unknown.

Architecture Differences

AMD's codename is Gorgon Point, belonging to the Ryzen AI Embedded generation built on Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores. Intel's codename is Panther Lake, belonging to the Core Ultra Series 3 generation, specifically Panther Lake-H. AMD's process node is 4 nm, fabricated by TSMC. Intel's process node is 3 nm, fabricated by Intel's own foundry.

Cache configurations diverge significantly. AMD provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 16 MB of L3 cache. Intel provides 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The per-core L1 and L2 figures are substantially larger on Intel, while the total L3 cache is closer, with Intel's 18 MB versus AMD's 16 MB.

Both processors have their own integrated graphics solutions: AMD uses the Radeon 890M, and Intel uses the Arc B390. Neither processor supports 3D V-Cache. The architecture differences reflect distinct design philosophies: AMD relies on a hybrid Zen 5 and Zen 5c core arrangement with higher thread counts, while Intel uses a unified core configuration with fewer threads but larger per-core cache resources and a smaller process node.