AMD Ryzen AI Max 385 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225T Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents a split picture between the AMD Ryzen AI Max 385 and the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T. Intel wins the majority of the head-to-head tests, taking 11 of 17 comparisons, but AMD’s victories are often by larger margins. The overall average benchmark score favors AMD: 44,309 versus 30,468, a lead of roughly 45%. That aggregate figure, however, masks how differently the two processors behave across workload types.

Intel’s dominance is clearest in the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core Ultra 5 225T scores 21,971 against AMD’s 15,674, a 28.7% advantage. The same pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core (9,227 vs. 6,583) and Cinebench R15 multi-core (2,214 vs. 1,579), both with identical 28.7% deltas. Single-core Cinebench results are equally lopsided: R23 single-core shows 3,101 for Intel versus 2,212 for AMD, a 28.7% gap, while R20 single-core (1,302 vs. 929) and R15 single-core (312 vs. 222) deliver 28.6% and 28.8% margins respectively. This consistency across all three Cinebench versions indicates a fundamental per-thread performance advantage for Intel in rendering workloads.

AMD strikes back decisively in several PassMark subtests. The largest margin is in integer math, where the Ryzen AI Max 385 scores 107,046 against Intel’s 59,543, a 79.8% lead. Data compression also heavily favors AMD: 406,505 versus 233,998, a 73.7% advantage. Extended instructions show a 68.7% gap (33,873 vs. 20,083), and random string sorting goes AMD’s way by 52% (43,725 vs. 28,774). The PassMark multi-thread score gives AMD a 32.9% win (33,705 vs. 25,358), while data encryption is closer at 9% (19,926 vs. 18,289).

Intel wins the remaining PassMark subtests but by smaller margins. Floating point math shows 82,751 for Intel versus 71,105 for AMD, a 14.1% lead. Prime number finding goes Intel’s way by 41.9% (284 vs. 165), the second-largest margin of any test. Physics scores favor Intel by 8% (2,053 vs. 1,889), and single-thread performance gives Intel a 6.6% edge (4,348 vs. 4,060). The PassMark single-thread result repeats the same 6.6% delta.

Notably, the two chips sit in different competitive tiers according to the database’s percentile rankings. The AMD part lands at the 88th percentile of all CPUs, while Intel reaches the 82nd percentile. AMD’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core i9-13950HX (average score 44,342, a 0.1% delta) and the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H (44,466, a 0.4% delta), placing it in upper-midrange company. Intel’s nearest rivals are lower-ranked: the Core i9-11980HK (30,422, 0.2% delta) and the Core i5-13600H (30,548, a 0.3% delta). This suggests the AMD chip competes with more powerful parts despite its lower raw Cinebench scores.

The Verdict

The data supports different picks depending on the workload. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T is the choice for rendering and single-threaded tasks. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 21,971 is 40% higher than AMD’s 15,674, and every single-core Cinebench test shows Intel ahead by roughly 28.7%. Users running CPU-based rendering, video encoding, or legacy single-threaded applications will consistently see Intel deliver more work per unit time.

The AMD Ryzen AI Max 385 is the pick for data-heavy and encryption-heavy workloads. Its PassMark integer math score of 107,046 nearly doubles Intel’s 59,543. Data compression at 406,505 is 74% higher, and extended instructions at 33,873 beat Intel’s 20,083 by 69%. The database’s average benchmark score of 44,309 versus 30,468 also favors AMD overall, meaning that across a broad mix of tasks, AMD comes out ahead despite losing the Cinebench suite.

The percentile placement reinforces this split. AMD sits at the 88th percentile, competing with the Core i9-13950HX and the Core Ultra X9 388H, both of which score within 0.6% of AMD’s average. Intel’s 82nd percentile places it alongside the Core i9-11980HK and the Ryzen 5 7640HS, which are within 0.3% of its average. The AMD chip belongs to a higher performance tier in the database’s overall ranking.

For users who prioritize integer math, compression, or encryption, the AMD part is the clear winner. For users who prioritize rendering or single-threaded responsiveness, the Intel part is the better fit. Neither chip is a universal leader; the recorded data shows a trade-off between AMD’s strong parallel data throughput and Intel’s superior per-core rendering performance.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies. AMD uses the Zen 5 architecture with the Strix Halo codename, built on a 4 nm TSMC process. Intel uses the Arrow Lake architecture with the Arrow Lake-S codename, built on a 3 nm TSMC process. The process node difference is small but measurable: Intel’s 3 nm node is one step smaller than AMD’s 4 nm node.

Core counts differ significantly. The AMD chip has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel chip has 10 cores and 10 threads. Intel has two more physical cores but lacks simultaneous multithreading, so its thread count is 10 versus AMD’s 16. This explains why AMD wins the PassMark multi-thread test (33,705 vs. 25,358) despite losing Cinebench multi-core, which may be more sensitive to per-core efficiency.

Cache layouts diverge as well. AMD provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of shared L3. Intel provides 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3. Intel has more L1 and L2 per core, while AMD has more total L3 (32 MB vs. 20 MB). The larger per-core caches on Intel may contribute to its single-core Cinebench advantage.

The integrated graphics differ substantially. AMD uses the Radeon 8050S, while Intel uses the Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU. The database records no benchmark scores for the iGPUs, so no direct comparison is possible. Both chips lack an unlocked multiplier, so neither supports user overclocking.

Memory support also differs. AMD uses LPDDR5X with a quad-channel bus and 256.0 GB/s of bandwidth. Intel uses DDR5 with a dual-channel bus and 102.4 GB/s of bandwidth. AMD’s memory bandwidth is exactly 2.5 times Intel’s, which likely explains AMD’s dominance in data compression and integer math, both of which are memory-bandwidth-sensitive. AMD also supports ECC memory, while Intel does not.

PCIe connectivity favors Intel. The Intel chip provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while AMD provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Intel’s newer PCIe generation and higher lane count give it an advantage for expansion cards and storage devices.

The package sizes reflect different transistor densities. Intel reports 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. AMD reports a die size of 2x 70.6 mm² (two separate dies totaling 141.2 mm²) but does not list a transistor count. The production status for both is active.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on nearly every core specification. Intel has 10 cores and 10 threads, while AMD has 8 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are 2.50 GHz for Intel and 3.60 GHz for AMD. Boost clocks are closer: 4.90 GHz for Intel and 5.00 GHz for AMD. The TDP also favors Intel on paper: 65 W versus AMD’s 55 W, but the database does not record measured power consumption.

Sockets are incompatible. Intel uses Socket 1851, while AMD uses Socket FP11. The market segments differ too: Intel is a desktop part, AMD is a mobile part. Release dates are close, with Intel launched on December 31, 2024, and AMD on January 5, 2025.

Memory channels differ: Intel uses dual-channel, AMD uses quad-channel. Memory bandwidth is 102.4 GB/s for Intel and 256.0 GB/s for AMD. ECC support is present on AMD but absent on Intel. The process node is 3 nm for Intel and 4 nm for AMD. Transistor count is listed only for Intel at 17,800 million, while AMD does not report one. Die size is 243 mm² for Intel and 2x 70.6 mm² for AMD. Intel’s part number is listed as unknown, while AMD’s is 100-000001424.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max 385 has an average benchmark score of 44,309, compared to 30,468 for the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T. AMD also ranks at the 88th percentile of all CPUs, while Intel ranks at the 82nd percentile.

Q: Why does AMD win the PassMark multi-thread test but lose Cinebench multi-core?

A: AMD scores 33,705 in PassMark multi-thread versus Intel’s 25,358, a 32.9% advantage. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, Intel scores 21,971 versus AMD’s 15,674, a 28.7% advantage. The different results suggest Cinebench responds more to Intel’s per-core efficiency, while PassMark multi-thread benefits from AMD’s 16 threads versus Intel’s 10.

Q: What is the largest single-test margin between the two chips?

A: The largest margin is in PassMark integer math, where AMD scores 107,046 versus Intel’s 59,543, a 79.8% lead. The second-largest is PassMark data compression at 73.7% (406,505 vs. 233,998).

Q: Does Intel win any test by more than AMD’s biggest win?

A: No. Intel’s largest win is 41.9% in PassMark find prime numbers (284 vs. 165). AMD’s largest win is 79.8% in integer math. Intel’s Cinebench wins are consistent at around 28.7%, but none approach AMD’s top margin.

Q: Which chip has more memory bandwidth?

A: AMD has 256.0 GB/s of memory bandwidth using quad-channel LPDDR5X. Intel has 102.4 GB/s using dual-channel DDR5. AMD’s bandwidth is 2.5 times higher.

Q: What are the nearest rivals for each chip in the database?

A: AMD’s nearest rival is the Intel Core i9-13950HX with an average score of 44,342, a 0.1% delta. Intel’s nearest rival is the Intel Core i9-11980HK with an average score of 30,422, a 0.2% delta. AMD’s rivals score higher overall than Intel’s rivals.