AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 vs Intel Core 3 100U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a decisive performance margin for the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 across every comparable benchmark. Out of 15 head-to-head comparisons, the AMD part wins all 15, with no benchmark where the Intel Core 3 100U takes the lead. The smallest advantage appears in single-threaded workloads, while the largest gaps occur in extended instruction throughput and data compression.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 scores 2872 against 1070 for the Intel Core 3 100U, a 168.4% difference. The single-core R15 result is closer in relative terms, 298 versus 150, a 98.7% advantage. Moving to Cinebench R23, the multi-core gap narrows to 76.6% (18759 versus 10624), while the single-core gap is 30.8% (1960 versus 1499). These results indicate that the AMD processor maintains a substantial lead in both heavily threaded and lightly threaded rendering workloads.

PassMark results reinforce the pattern. The AMD part scores 400887 in data compression versus 136497 for Intel, a 193.7% difference. Data encryption shows a 147.2% gap (20092 versus 8128). Extended instructions show the most extreme delta at 314.5%, with scores of 32719 and 7894 respectively. Integer math favors AMD by 176.9% (109588 versus 39580), and floating point math favors AMD by 156.8% (72722 versus 28322). Prime number finding shows a 178.8% gap (145 versus 52), and random string sorting shows a 184.4% gap (43196 versus 15191).

The PassMark multi-thread score for the AMD part is 33486 versus 12522 for Intel, a 167.4% difference. Physics testing shows 1843 versus 876, a 110.4% gap. The single-thread PassMark score is the closest comparison in the entire dataset: 4185 versus 3506, a 19.4% advantage for AMD. This single-thread result stands in contrast to the larger multi-thread deltas, suggesting the AMD architecture scales more effectively across its cores.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 wins every benchmark category in the head-to-head set, so the use-case split is defined by the magnitude of the advantage rather than by any Intel victory. The largest deltas appear in extended instructions (314.5%), data compression (193.7%), and random string sorting (184.4%). These categories point to workloads involving encryption, compression, sorting, and specialized instruction sets, where the AMD processor delivers more than triple the throughput in the case of extended instructions.

The Intel Core 3 100U does not win any benchmark, but its closest relative performance comes in single-threaded tests. The PassMark single-thread gap is 19.4%, and the Cinebench R23 single-core gap is 30.8%. For applications that depend primarily on single-core speed, the Intel part is comparatively less far behind, though still clearly trailing.

For multi-threaded rendering, the AMD part leads by 76.6% in Cinebench R23 multi-core and by 168.4% in Cinebench R15 multi-core. The larger R15 delta suggests the AMD processor benefits more in shorter, burst-style multi-thread workloads. Data encryption and integer math also show strong AMD advantages, 147.2% and 176.9% respectively, indicating that the AMD part is better suited to security-related processing and general arithmetic-heavy tasks.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 uses the Zen 5 architecture under the Strix Halo codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core 3 100U uses Raptor Lake architecture under the Raptor Lake-U codename, built on a 10 nm process at Intel. The process node difference is significant: 4 nm versus 10 nm, which contributes to the power and efficiency characteristics of each design.

The AMD processor has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel processor has 6 cores and 8 threads. The AMD part clocks at 3.60 GHz base and 5.00 GHz boost. The Intel part clocks at 1.20 GHz base and 4.70 GHz boost. The base clock difference is notable: 3.60 GHz versus 1.20 GHz, a 2.40 GHz gap. The boost clocks are closer, 5.00 GHz versus 4.70 GHz.

Cache configurations differ as well. Both have 80 KB of L1 per core. The L2 cache is 1 MB per core on the AMD part versus 1.25 MB per core on the Intel part. The L3 cache shows a large gap: 32 MB shared on AMD versus 10 MB shared on Intel. The AMD part therefore has triple the shared L3 capacity.

Memory support also differs. The AMD processor supports LPDDR5X with a quad-channel memory bus and a recorded memory bandwidth of 256.0 GB/s. The Intel processor supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel memory bus; no bandwidth figure is recorded in the database. ECC memory is supported on the AMD part, not on the Intel part.

PCIe connectivity differs: the AMD part provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel part provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics differ as well: the AMD part uses Radeon 8060S, while the Intel part uses UHD Graphics 64EU. The AMD processor is rated at a 55 W TDP, while the Intel processor is rated at 15 W TDP. Socket types differ: AMD Socket FP11 for the AMD part, Intel BGA 1744 for the Intel part. The AMD part has a die size recorded as 2x 70.6 mm²; no die size is recorded for the Intel part. Release dates differ: the AMD part launched on 2026-01-05, while the Intel part launched on 2024-01-07. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $426; no launch MSRP is recorded for the AMD part.

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 Core 3 100U has an average benchmark score of 16148.

Q: How do the two processors compare in single-thread performance?

A: In PassMark single-thread testing, the AMD part scores 4185 versus 3506 for Intel, a 19.4% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD part scores 1960 versus 1499, a 30.8% advantage.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark extended instructions, where the AMD part scores 32719 versus 7894, a 314.5% difference.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core 3 100U has 6 cores and 8 threads.

Q: How does memory bandwidth compare?

A: The AMD processor has a quad-channel memory bus with 256.0 GB/s bandwidth and supports LPDDR5X. The Intel processor has a dual-channel memory bus and supports DDR4 and DDR5; no bandwidth figure is recorded.

Q: Which processor has a higher percentile ranking among all CPUs?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 ranks in the 90th percentile, while the Intel Core 3 100U ranks in the 70th percentile.

The Verdict

The data indicates a clear overall winner in the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388. It wins all 15 head-to-head benchmarks, holds a 90th percentile ranking versus the 70th percentile for the Intel Core 3 100U, and delivers an average benchmark score of 49796 versus 16148. The AMD part also offers more cores, more threads, a larger L3 cache, higher memory bandwidth, ECC support, and a smaller process node.

The Intel Core 3 100U does have one advantage in the recorded data: a 15 W TDP versus 55 W for the AMD part. That lower power envelope may be relevant for systems prioritizing energy efficiency over raw performance. The Intel part also has a launch MSRP of $426, while no launch MSRP is recorded for the AMD part, so a direct price comparison is not possible from the database.

For workloads that stress multi-threaded throughput, compression, encryption, or extended instruction sets, the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 is the stronger choice by a wide margin. For single-threaded tasks, the AMD part still leads, but by a smaller margin. The Intel part is only competitive in the context of lower power consumption and a lower TDP rating. Based strictly on benchmark results, the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 is the superior performer across every measured category.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 | Intel Core 3 100U |

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

| Cores | 8 | 6 |

| Threads | 16 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.60 GHz | 1.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP11 | Intel BGA 1744 |

| Architecture | Zen 5 | Raptor Lake |

| Codename | Strix Halo | Raptor Lake-U |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die Size | 2x 70.6 mm² | Not recorded |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 32 MB (shared) | 10 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | LPDDR5X | DDR4, DDR5 |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 256.0 GB/s | Not recorded |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 8 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 8060S | UHD Graphics 64EU |

| Release Date | 2026-01-05 | 2024-01-07 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $426 |

| Part Number | 100-000001980 | SRMYL |