AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 vs Intel Core 7 150U Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 records an average benchmark score of 49796, placing it in the 90th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core 7 150U averages 17395, which lands in the 71st percentile.

Q: How much faster is the AMD chip in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 scores 18759 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Intel Core 7 150U scores 8883. That is a 111.2% advantage for the AMD processor.

Q: What are the core counts for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core 7 150U has 10 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 7 150U does not.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of the AMD chip?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 uses quad-channel LPDDR5X memory with a bandwidth of 256.0 GB/s. The Intel Core 7 150U uses dual-channel DDR4 or DDR5 memory, and its bandwidth is not recorded in the database.

Q: How does the Intel chip compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Intel Core 7 150U is within 0.6% of the AMD Ryzen 5 4600G (which scores 17507) and within 0.4% of the AMD Ryzen 5 4500 (17333). It is also 0.5% behind the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE (17482) and 0.4% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 3 210 (17321).

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 with a die size of 2x 70.6 mm². The Intel Core 7 150U uses the Raptor Lake architecture under the Raptor Lake-U codename, built on a 10 nm process at Intel with no die size recorded. This process gap is substantial: 4 nm versus 10 nm, which explains much of the efficiency and performance difference seen in the benchmarks.

Cache layouts differ meaningfully. The AMD chip has 80 KB of L1 per core and 1 MB of L2 per core, with 32 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip also has 80 KB of L1 per core, but its L2 is larger at 1.25 MB per core, and its shared L3 is much smaller at 12 MB. The AMD processor's 32 MB L3 gives it a significant advantage in workloads that repeatedly access a working set larger than 12 MB.

Memory support separates the two clearly. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 uses LPDDR5X over a quad-channel interface with 256.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel Core 7 150U supports both DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel interface, but its bandwidth is not recorded. The AMD chip also supports ECC memory, which the Intel chip does not. For memory-heavy tasks such as data compression and encryption, the AMD chip's bandwidth advantage is decisive.

PCIe connectivity differs as well. The AMD processor provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Intel processor provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only). The AMD chip has twice the CPU PCIe lane count, which matters for connecting high-speed peripherals or external GPUs.

Integrated graphics differ substantially. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 pairs with a Radeon 8060S. The Intel Core 7 150U pairs with Iris Xe Graphics 96EU. While the database does not include GPU benchmark numbers, the Radeon 8060S is the more capable solution for gaming or GPU-accelerated workloads.

The TDP ratings show a major design philosophy split. The AMD chip is rated at 55 W, while the Intel chip is rated at 15 W. The AMD chip draws more power but delivers far higher performance. The Intel chip is built for efficiency and lower sustained power draw in thin-and-light laptops.

Release dates differ by roughly two years. The Intel Core 7 150U launched on 2024-01-07, while the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 launched on 2026-01-05. Both are currently active production parts.

The Verdict

The benchmark data shows a decisive performance gap. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 wins 15 of 15 recorded head-to-head benchmarks. The Intel Core 7 150U wins none. The AMD chip's average benchmark score of 49796 is roughly 186% higher than the Intel chip's 17395.

For users who need maximum multi-core throughput, memory bandwidth, and integrated graphics capability in a mobile form factor, the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 is the clear choice. Its 90th percentile ranking puts it near the top of all CPUs, with nearest rivals including the Intel Core 9 273PE (49845, 0.1% ahead), Intel Core i5-14600KF (49394, 0.8% behind), AMD Ryzen 9 7900 (49228, 1.2% behind), and AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5755G (49196, 1.2% behind). These are desktop-class competitors, which shows the AMD mobile chip performs at an exceptionally high level.

The Intel Core 7 150U, with its 15 W TDP and 10-core/12-thread configuration, targets efficiency. Its nearest rivals are all AMD desktop or mobile parts in the Ryzen 3 and Ryzen 5 range, with average scores between 17321 and 17507. The Intel chip is competitive within that lower-performance tier, but it cannot approach the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388's output.

The practical recommendation from the data: pick the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 for performance-critical mobile workstations, content creation, or heavy multitasking. Pick the Intel Core 7 150U for systems where the 15 W TDP is essential for battery life and thermal management, and where the workload does not demand multi-core throughput.

Specification Differences

| Field | AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 | Intel Core 7 150U |

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

| Cores | 8 | 10 |

| Threads | 16 | 12 |

| Base clock | 3.60 GHz | 1.80 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.00 GHz | 5.40 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) | 12 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 | Iris Xe Graphics 96EU |

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

| Part number | 100-000001980 | SRMYP |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 dominates every recorded benchmark. The largest single win comes in PassMark extended instructions, where the AMD chip scores 32719 against the Intel chip's 8748, a 274% advantage. This indicates the AMD chip's SIMD and instruction-level throughput is vastly superior, likely due to the Zen 5 architecture and the larger L3 cache.

In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD chip scores 18759 versus 8883, a 111.2% lead. This is a core-heavy workload, and despite having fewer cores (8 versus 10), the AMD chip's higher base clock (3.60 GHz versus 1.80 GHz) and larger L3 cache (32 MB versus 12 MB) produce nearly double the output. The Intel chip's 10 cores cannot compensate for its much lower base clock and smaller cache.

PassMark data compression shows a 152.7% lead for AMD, with scores of 400887 versus 158622. This workload is sensitive to memory bandwidth and cache size, where the AMD chip's 256.0 GB/s quad-channel LPDDR5X memory gives it a structural advantage.

PassMark data encryption shows a 100.4% lead, with AMD scoring 20092 against Intel's 10025. Encryption workloads rely on both integer throughput and memory bandwidth, and the AMD chip wins decisively on both.

PassMark floating point math shows AMD at 72722 versus Intel's 34405, a 111.4% lead. PassMark integer math shows AMD at 109588 versus 51057, a 114.6% lead. These raw math workloads confirm that the AMD chip's per-core execution resources are substantially faster.

PassMark multithread shows AMD at 33486 versus Intel's 14700, a 127.8% lead. PassMark physics shows AMD at 1843 versus 1012, an 82.1% lead. PassMark random string sorting shows AMD at 43196 versus 18269, a 136.4% lead. PassMark find prime numbers shows AMD at 145 versus 58, a 150% lead.

Single-thread performance is closer but still favors AMD. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD chip scores 1960 against Intel's 1875.5, a 4.5% lead. In Cinebench R15 single-core, AMD scores 298 versus 254, a 17.3% lead. PassMark single-thread shows AMD at 4185 versus 3508, a 19.3% lead. The Intel chip's higher boost clock (5.40 GHz versus 5.00 GHz) helps it stay competitive in single-thread workloads, but the AMD chip's newer architecture still wins.

Cinebench R15 multi-core shows AMD at 2872 versus 1505.5, a 90.8% lead. This older benchmark still reflects the same pattern: the AMD chip roughly doubles the Intel chip's multi-core throughput.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 wins in every recorded category. Its strengths are most pronounced in multi-threaded, memory-intensive, and instruction-heavy workloads. The 274% lead in extended instructions and 152.7% lead in data compression show that this chip is built for demanding professional workloads: video encoding, scientific computing, database operations, and large-scale data processing. The 256.0 GB/s memory bandwidth and 32 MB L3 cache make it particularly strong for workloads that stream large datasets.

The AMD chip's 55 W TDP and quad-channel memory mean it is best suited for larger laptops or mobile workstations where cooling and battery capacity are less constrained. Its 90th percentile ranking among all CPUs places it in the same performance tier as desktop processors like the Intel Core i5-14600KF and AMD Ryzen 9 7900, which are 0.8% and 1.2% behind, respectively.

The Intel Core 7 150U wins in efficiency. Its 15 W TDP is less than a third of the AMD chip's 55 W rating. For thin-and-light laptops where sustained performance is limited by thermal headroom, the Intel chip offers adequate single-thread performance (boost clock 5.40 GHz, higher than AMD's 5.00 GHz) and a lower power draw. Its single-thread scores are within 4.5% to 19.3% of the AMD chip, depending on the benchmark, which means everyday responsiveness is not dramatically different.

The Intel chip's nearest rivals are all in the Ryzen 3 and Ryzen 5 class, with average scores between 17321 and 17507. This places it in the mid-range mobile tier, suitable for office productivity, web browsing, and light media work. Its 71st percentile ranking shows it is above average but not a high-performance part.

For users who prioritize raw performance and can accept the power draw, the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 is the only choice between these two. For users who need a low-power processor for a compact laptop and do not run heavy multi-threaded workloads, the Intel Core 7 150U provides a balanced, efficient platform. The data does not show any benchmark where the Intel chip outperforms the AMD chip, so the decision rests entirely on power efficiency and form factor constraints.