AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 vs Intel Core 5 223PE Comparison

AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 and Intel Core 5 223PE are both 8-core, 16-thread processors, but they target entirely different segments: the AMD part is a mobile chip for high-performance laptops, while the Intel part is a desktop chip for mainstream PCs. The recorded benchmarks show a split decision, with the AMD winning 7 of the 15 head-to-head tests and the Intel winning 8. The average benchmark score stands at 49796 for the AMD and 40585 for the Intel, placing the AMD at the 90th percentile and the Intel at the 87th percentile among all CPUs. This gap of roughly 22.7% in average score is significant, yet the Intel part counters with much stronger single-core Cinebench results.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 records an average benchmark score of 49796, while the Intel Core 5 223PE records 40585. The AMD part also sits in the 90th percentile versus the Intel's 87th percentile.

Q: How do the two compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PE wins this test decisively, scoring 26455 against the AMD's 18759, a delta of 29.1% in favor of Intel.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PE has a boost clock of 5.20 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Intel part also has a higher base clock at 2.90 GHz versus 3.60 GHz for the AMD, meaning the AMD actually has the higher base clock.

Q: What memory bandwidth figures are recorded?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 supports 256.0 GB/s of memory bandwidth using LPDDR5X in a quad-channel configuration. The Intel Core 5 223PE supports 89.6 GB/s with DDR4 or DDR5 memory in a dual-channel setup.

Q: Which processor wins the PassMark multithread test?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 wins with a score of 33486, compared to the Intel's 31124, a margin of 7.6%.

Q: Are both processors currently active in production?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 and the Intel Core 5 223PE have a production status of "Active" in the database.

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 5 223PE uses the Bartlett Lake codename, built on a 10 nm process at Intel. The AMD chip is a mobile part designed for Socket FP11, while the Intel chip is a desktop part for Socket 1700. Both have 8 cores and 16 threads, but the cache layouts differ. The AMD has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of shared L3. The Intel has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. The die size for the AMD is listed as 2x 70.6 mm², while no die size is recorded for the Intel.

Memory support splits the two clearly. The AMD uses LPDDR5X with a quad-channel bus and 256.0 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel uses DDR4 or DDR5 with a dual-channel bus and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. Both support ECC memory. PCIe generations also differ: the AMD offers Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only), and the Intel offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics are present on both: the AMD has a Radeon 8060S, and the Intel has a UHD Graphics 730. The AMD's release date is recorded as January 5, 2026, and the Intel's as March 8, 2026.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results reveal a stark contrast. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD wins with 2872 against 2666, a 7.7% margin. But in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel reverses the result with a massive win: 26455 versus 18759, a 29.1% delta. Single-core Cinebench tests are all Intel. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Intel scores 376 against the AMD's 298, a 20.7% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Intel scores 3734 against 1960, a 47.5% lead. The Intel also records a Cinebench R20 single-core score of 1568, though no R20 multi-core score is listed for the AMD.

The PassMark suite shows a different pattern. The AMD wins data compression with 400887 versus 346623, a 15.7% advantage. Data encryption goes to the AMD as well: 20092 versus 18448, an 8.9% lead. Extended instructions heavily favor the AMD: 32719 versus 24672, a 32.6% margin. Integer math also goes to the AMD with 109588 versus 99819, a 9.8% lead. The AMD wins multithread with 33486 versus 31124, a 7.6% gap, and random string sorting with 43196 versus 35798, a 20.7% margin.

The Intel wins the remaining PassMark tests. Find prime numbers goes to the Intel at 159 versus 145, an 8.8% lead. Floating point math goes to the Intel at 76468 versus 72722, a 4.9% margin. Physics goes to the Intel at 2493 versus 1843, a 26.1% lead. Single-thread scores are nearly identical: the Intel records 4219 versus 4185 for the AMD, a 0.8% margin in both singlethread and single_thread tests. The overall win count stands at 7 for the AMD and 8 for the Intel.

Specification Differences

The base clocks differ: the AMD runs at 3.60 GHz, while the Intel runs at 2.90 GHz. Boost clocks reverse the order: the AMD boosts to 5.00 GHz, and the Intel boosts to 5.20 GHz. TDP values differ as well, with the AMD at 55 and the Intel at 65. The AMD uses Socket FP11, the Intel uses Socket 1700. Process nodes are distinct: 4 nm for the AMD, 10 nm for the Intel. The foundry is TSMC for the AMD and Intel for the Intel. The AMD's codename is Strix Halo, the Intel's is Bartlett Lake. The AMD's generation is listed as Ryzen AI Max (Zen 5 (Strix Halo)), and the Intel's as Core 5 (Bartlett Lake). L2 cache per core is 1 MB on the AMD and 2 MB on the Intel; L3 cache is 32 MB shared on the AMD and 24 MB shared on the Intel. Memory support is LPDDR5X for the AMD and DDR4 or DDR5 for the Intel. The memory bus is quad-channel for the AMD and dual-channel for the Intel. Memory bandwidth is 256.0 GB/s for the AMD and 89.6 GB/s for the Intel. PCIe is Gen 4 on the AMD and Gen 5 on the Intel. Integrated graphics are Radeon 8060S on the AMD and UHD Graphics 730 on the Intel. The market segment is Mobile for the AMD and Desktop for the Intel. Part numbers are 100-000001980 for the AMD and SA4QF for the Intel. The Intel has a launch MSRP of $232; no launch MSRP is recorded for the AMD.

The Verdict

The data points to two different design goals. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 delivers a higher average benchmark score of 49796 and wins in data-heavy workloads like compression, encryption, extended instructions, integer math, and multithread. Its 256.0 GB/s memory bandwidth and quad-channel LPDDR5X support give it a clear edge in memory-intensive tasks. The Intel Core 5 223PE counters with dominant single-core performance, particularly in Cinebench R23 single-core where it leads by 47.5%, and it wins the physics test by 26.1%. Its higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz helps there. The Intel also wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 29.1%, which is notable given its lower average score overall.

The percentile rankings confirm the AMD's overall superiority: 90th percentile versus 87th. But the Intel's nearest rivals include the Intel Core 7 253PE at 40557 (0.1% delta) and the Intel Xeon 6357P at 40630 (-0.1% delta), showing it sits in a tight cluster. The AMD's nearest rivals are the Intel Core 9 273PE at 49845 (-0.1% delta) and the Intel Core i5-14600KF at 49394 (0.8% delta), indicating a higher performance tier. For systems where single-thread speed and desktop expansion matter, the Intel part holds its own. For mobile platforms needing memory throughput and data processing, the AMD part is the stronger choice.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 wins in data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, integer math, multithread, and random string sorting. These wins point to workloads that involve heavy data movement, cryptography, and parallel integer processing. The 32.6% lead in extended instructions and the 20.7% lead in random string sorting are the largest margins for the AMD. Its 256.0 GB/s memory bandwidth likely contributes to these results.

The Intel Core 5 223PE wins in all Cinebench single-core tests, Cinebench R23 multi-core, find prime numbers, floating point math, physics, and single-thread tests. The 47.5% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core is the largest margin in the entire comparison. The physics win at 26.1% and the Cinebench R23 multi-core win at 29.1% show that the Intel part handles both latency-sensitive and sustained multi-core loads well. Its 5.20 GHz boost clock and larger 2 MB per-core L2 cache likely support these results. The Intel also wins the single-thread PassMark test, though only by 0.8%, making that a near tie.