AMD Ryzen AI Max 385 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 336H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a sharp split between the AMD Ryzen AI Max 385 and the Intel Core Ultra 5 336H. Intel dominates the Cinebench suite with consistent margins. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Intel part scores 2418 against 1579 for AMD, a 34.7% advantage. The single-core R15 result shows the same pattern: 341 versus 222, a 34.9% gap. Cinebench R20 multicore repeats the margin at 34.7%, with Intel at 10076 and AMD at 6583. The single-core R20 result is 1422 versus 929, again 34.7% behind. Cinebench R23 multicore follows with 23991 versus 15674, and single-core R23 shows 3387 versus 2212, both at a 34.7% delta. These consistent Cinebench margins indicate a fundamental throughput advantage for Intel across both short and long render workloads.

AMD strikes back in several Passmark tests. The largest win is in integer math, where AMD scores 107046 against Intel's 62070, a 72.5% lead. Data compression also favors AMD heavily: 406505 versus 280340, a 45% margin. Extended instruction throughput goes to AMD at 33873 versus 24542, a 38% gain. Random string sorting favors AMD with 43725 against 34402, a 27.1% edge. Passmark multithread shows AMD ahead at 33705 versus 28545, an 18.1% difference. The single-thread Passmark result is close: AMD at 4060 versus Intel at 4013, a narrow 1.2% lead for AMD.

Intel counters in other Passmark workloads. Prime number finding shows Intel at 299 versus AMD's 165, a 44.8% advantage. Physics simulation favors Intel at 2682 versus 1889, a 29.6% lead. Floating point math goes to Intel at 82415 versus 71105, a 13.7% margin. Data encryption is a closer Intel win: 21291 versus 19926, a 6.4% difference.

The head-to-head tally gives AMD 7 wins and Intel 10 wins across the 17 recorded tests. However, the magnitude of AMD's victories in integer math, compression, and extended instructions is large, while Intel's Cinebench margins are uniform at roughly 35%. The data shows a processor pair with complementary strengths rather than a single dominant part.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different foundries and process nodes. AMD uses a 4 nm process from TSMC, while Intel uses a 3 nm process from its own foundry. The AMD part is built on the Zen 5 architecture with the Strix Halo codename, and the Intel part uses the Panther Lake architecture with the Panther Lake-H generation label.

Core counts differ significantly. AMD provides 8 cores and 16 threads. Intel provides 16 cores and 16 threads, meaning Intel has twice the physical core count but no simultaneous multithreading. The AMD part has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Intel part runs at a 1.90 GHz base and 4.60 GHz boost. AMD's higher clock speeds help explain its strong single-thread Passmark result, while Intel's extra cores drive its Cinebench multicore advantage.

Cache hierarchies are distinct. AMD allocates 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of shared L3. Intel allocates 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. Intel's per-core cache allocation is larger in L1 and L2, but AMD has nearly double the shared L3 capacity.

Memory support also diverges. AMD uses LPDDR5X with a quad-channel memory bus and 256.0 GB/s of bandwidth. Intel supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X on a dual-channel bus with 115.2 GB/s of bandwidth. AMD's memory bandwidth is more than double Intel's, which aligns with its strong data compression and integer math results. AMD also supports ECC memory; Intel does not.

PCIe connectivity differs. AMD provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes, while Intel provides Gen 5 with 12 lanes. The integrated graphics differ as well: AMD uses the Radeon 8050S, and Intel uses Intel Xe3 Graphics. The AMD part uses the AMD Socket FP11, while Intel uses Intel BGA 2540. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The Cinebench results indicate Intel wins in rendering and CPU-vector-heavy workloads that scale with core count. The 34.7% margins across R15, R20, and R23, in both single and multicore tests, show that Intel's advantage is not workload-specific within the Cinebench suite. The physics simulation result, where Intel leads by 29.6%, reinforces a pattern of Intel winning in simulation-style physics workloads. Prime number finding, a classic integer throughput test, also favors Intel by 44.8%. Floating point math goes to Intel by 13.7%, and data encryption by 6.4%.

AMD wins in memory-bandwidth-sensitive tasks. The 72.5% lead in integer math suggests the quad-channel memory interface benefits large integer workloads. Data compression shows a 45% advantage, and random string sorting a 27.1% edge. Extended instructions favor AMD by 38%, indicating strong SIMD and specialized instruction throughput. The multithreaded Passmark score gives AMD an 18.1% win, which is notable given that Intel has twice the physical cores. The single-thread Passmark result is nearly tied, with AMD ahead by 1.2%.

The data suggests Intel is the better choice for rendering, physics simulation, and prime number computation. AMD is the better choice for compression, sorting, integer-heavy math, and extended instruction workloads. The near-tie in single-thread Passmark means day-to-day lightly threaded performance is close, but Cinebench single-core tests favor Intel by a large margin. The discrepancy between Cinebench single-core and Passmark single-thread results points to different workload sensitivities. Cinebench single-core relies on a short burst of heavily optimized rendering code, while Passmark single-thread exercises a broader mix of instructions.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification field. AMD has 8 cores and 16 threads; Intel has 16 cores and 16 threads. Base clock differs: AMD at 3.60 GHz, Intel at 1.90 GHz. Boost clock differs: AMD at 5.00 GHz, Intel at 4.60 GHz. TDP differs: AMD at 55 watts, Intel at 25 watts. The socket differs: AMD Socket FP11 versus Intel BGA 2540.

The architecture and codename differ: Zen 5 with Strix Halo versus Panther Lake with Panther Lake. The generation differs: Ryzen AI Max (Zen 5 Strix Halo) versus Ultra 5 (Panther Lake-H). Process node differs: 4 nm TSMC versus 3 nm Intel. The die size is listed for AMD as 2x 70.6 mm², while Intel has no recorded die size. Cache differs at every level: AMD has 80 KB L1 per core versus Intel's 192 KB; AMD has 1 MB L2 per core versus Intel's 2.5 MB; AMD has 32 MB shared L3 versus Intel's 18 MB.

Memory support differs: AMD supports only LPDDR5X, while Intel supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X. Memory bus differs: quad-channel versus dual-channel. Memory bandwidth differs: 256.0 GB/s versus 115.2 GB/s. ECC support differs: AMD supports it, Intel does not. PCIe differs: Gen 4 with 16 lanes versus Gen 5 with 12 lanes. Integrated graphics differ: Radeon 8050S versus Intel Xe3 Graphics. Release dates differ: AMD on 2025-01-05, Intel on 2026-01-04. Part numbers differ: 100-000001424 versus SA4RD. Both are mobile market segment parts, both active in production, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H has 16 cores, while the AMD Ryzen AI Max 385 has 8 cores. Both have 16 threads.

Q: How much faster is Intel in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: Intel scores 23991 versus AMD's 15674, a 34.7% advantage.

Q: Where does AMD show its largest benchmark win?

A: AMD's largest win is in Passmark integer math, scoring 107046 against Intel's 62070, a 72.5% lead.

Q: Which processor has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max 385 has 256.0 GB/s over a quad-channel LPDDR5X bus. The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H has 115.2 GB/s over a dual-channel DDR5 or LPDDR5X bus.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. AMD supports ECC memory, while Intel does not.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max 385 has a TDP of 55 watts. The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H has a TDP of 25 watts.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max 385 boosts to 5.00 GHz, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 336H boosts to 4.60 GHz. The Intel part has a lower base clock at 1.90 GHz versus AMD's 3.60 GHz.