AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 vs Intel Arc G3 EXTREME Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clear overall winner in the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388, which takes 9 of the 15 head-to-head benchmarks. Its average benchmark score of 49796 places it at the 90th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel Arc G3 EXTREME sits at 36699 and the 85th percentile.

The AMD part’s largest victories come in compute-heavy workloads. In PassMark integer math, it scores 109588 against 71164, a 54% advantage. Extended instructions show a 36.2% lead (32719 vs 24017), and Cinebench R15 multi-core delivers a 31% gap (2872 vs 2192). The R23 multi-core result follows the same pattern: 18759 versus 14655, a 28% margin. Data compression also favors AMD heavily, 400887 versus 307094, or 30.5% ahead.

The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME counters in six benchmarks, though with narrower margins in most cases. Its best result is in PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 248 against 145, a 41.5% lead. PassMark physics shows a 26.7% advantage (2515 vs 1843). Floating point math goes to Intel by 16.3% (86929 vs 72722), and data encryption by 15.9% (23881 vs 20092). The single-thread PassMark tests show Intel ahead by 2.5% (4293 vs 4185), and the same margin appears in the duplicate singlethread entry.

The single-core Cinebench results are closer. R15 single-core favors AMD by 11.6% (298 vs 267), while R23 single-core shows only a 5.3% gap (1960 vs 1862). PassMark multithread favors AMD by 9.2% (33486 vs 30659), and random string sorting goes to AMD by 15.7% (43196 vs 37331).

These results indicate that AMD holds a decisive advantage in integer-heavy and multi-threaded rendering workloads, while Intel demonstrates strength in prime number searches, physics simulation, and floating point math. The average benchmark score difference, 49796 versus 36699, represents a 35.7% overall gap in favor of AMD.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different manufacturing and design lineages. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 uses the Zen 5 architecture on the Strix Halo codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME uses the Panther Lake codename with a 3 nm process at Intel’s own foundry.

Core counts differ substantially. AMD provides 8 cores with 16 threads, while Intel offers 14 cores with 14 threads. This means Intel has more physical cores but no simultaneous multithreading, so its thread count is lower than AMD’s. The AMD part reaches a 5.00 GHz boost clock from a 3.60 GHz base, while Intel boosts to 4.70 GHz from a 1.90 GHz base.

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

Memory architecture also diverges. Both support LPDDR5X, but AMD uses a quad-channel interface with 256.0 GB/s bandwidth, while Intel uses dual-channel with 136.5 GB/s. AMD supports ECC memory; Intel does not. PCIe connectivity differs as well: AMD offers Gen 4 with 16 CPU lanes, Intel provides Gen 5 with 4 CPU lanes.

The integrated graphics are different: AMD pairs the processor with a Radeon 8060S, while Intel uses an Arc B390. Both target the mobile market segment and are currently in active production. AMD’s release date is 2026-01-05, while Intel’s is 2026-05-27. AMD uses socket FP11; Intel uses BGA 2540. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 has an average benchmark score of 49796, while the Intel Arc G3 EXTREME scores 36699. AMD’s score places it at the 90th percentile of all CPUs, versus the 85th percentile for Intel.

Q: How large is the multi-core performance gap in Cinebench R23?

A: AMD scores 18759 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 28% higher than Intel’s 14655. The R15 multi-core test shows a similar 31% gap in favor of AMD.

Q: In which benchmarks does the Intel Arc G3 EXTREME outperform the AMD part?

A: Intel wins in PassMark find prime numbers (248 vs 145, 41.5% ahead), physics (2515 vs 1843, 26.7% ahead), floating point math (86929 vs 72722, 16.3% ahead), data encryption (23881 vs 20092, 15.9% ahead), and the single-thread PassMark tests (4293 vs 4185, 2.5% ahead).

Q: What is the thread count difference between the two processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME has 14 cores and 14 threads. Despite having fewer cores, AMD’s thread count is higher due to simultaneous multithreading.

Q: How do the memory bandwidth specifications compare?

A: AMD supports quad-channel LPDDR5X with 256.0 GB/s bandwidth. Intel supports dual-channel LPDDR5X with 136.5 GB/s. AMD also supports ECC memory, which Intel does not.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 boosts to 5.00 GHz, compared to 4.70 GHz for the Intel Arc G3 EXTREME. AMD’s base clock is 3.60 GHz versus Intel’s 1.90 GHz.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 | Intel Arc G3 EXTREME |

|---------------|----------------------|----------------------|

| Cores | 8 | 14 |

| Threads | 16 | 14 |

| Base Clock | 3.60 GHz | 1.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 25 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP11 | Intel BGA 2540 |

| Codename | Strix Halo | Panther Lake |

| Process Node | 4 nm (TSMC) | 3 nm (Intel) |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB per core | 192 KB per core |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB per core | 2.5 MB per core |

| L3 Cache | 32 MB shared | 18 MB shared |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 256.0 GB/s | 136.5 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 16 lanes | Gen 5, 4 lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 8060S | Arc B390 |

| Release Date | 2026-01-05 | 2026-05-27 |

| Part Number | 100-000001980 | SA4R3 |

The Verdict

The benchmark data directs different users toward different processors. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 is the stronger choice for multi-threaded rendering, integer math, data compression, and extended instruction workloads. Its 28% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 54% lead in PassMark integer math make it the clear pick for CPU-bound productivity tasks that scale with thread count and cache capacity.

The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME suits workloads that depend on floating point performance, prime number searches, physics simulation, and data encryption. Its 41.5% lead in prime number finding and 26.7% lead in physics indicate strengths in specific scientific and simulation tasks. Its lower TDP of 25 W versus 55 W also suggests a more power-efficient design, which may matter for thermally constrained mobile systems.

The average benchmark scores tell the broader story: AMD’s 49796 versus Intel’s 36699 represents a substantial overall performance advantage for AMD. The percentile rankings confirm this, with AMD at 90% and Intel at 85% of all CPUs. For users who prioritize overall compute throughput and multi-threaded rendering, the AMD part is the data-backed choice. For those with workloads concentrated in floating point or encryption, the Intel part offers specific advantages, but its overall score is lower by a significant margin.