AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 vs Intel Core 7 350 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a lopsided contest. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 wins 14 of the 15 recorded head-to-head comparisons, with the Intel Core 7 350 taking a single victory. The scale of the AMD advantage varies dramatically by workload type.

In multi-threaded rendering, the AMD part delivers overwhelming margins. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ryzen AI Max+ 388 scores 18,759 against the Intel Core 7 350's 8,030, a 133.6% advantage. The older Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows a similar pattern: 2,872 versus 1,220, a 135.4% lead. These results indicate that the AMD processor sustains high throughput across all cores, while the Intel part falls behind despite its higher single-core clock ceiling.

The PassMark integer math test produces the largest gap in the entire dataset. The AMD chip scores 109,588 versus 33,734, a 224.9% difference. Data compression follows closely: 400,887 versus 143,123, a 180.1% margin. Extended instructions show a 171.6% lead (32,719 versus 12,045), and random string sorting comes in at 150.6% (43,196 versus 17,238). These results point to a processor that handles parallel integer workloads with far greater efficiency.

Floating-point performance also favors AMD decisively. The floating point math score of 72,722 versus 42,809 represents a 69.9% advantage. The physics test shows 1,843 versus 1,173, a 57.1% lead. Data encryption delivers 20,092 versus 10,933, an 83.8% margin. Prime number finding, a test sensitive to both core count and memory latency, shows a more modest 35.5% advantage (145 versus 107).

The multi-thread aggregate score confirms the pattern. PassMark multithread reports 33,486 for AMD versus 15,170 for Intel, a 120.7% difference. This aggregate metric aligns with the individual workload results, reinforcing that the Ryzen AI Max+ 388 provides roughly double the multi-threaded throughput of the Core 7 350.

Single-thread performance tells a different story. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Intel part wins: 2,046 versus 1,960, a 4.2% advantage. However, in Cinebench R15 single-core, AMD edges ahead with 298 versus 292, a 2.1% lead. PassMark single-thread shows AMD at 4,185 versus 4,100, also a 2.1% margin. The Intel chip's single-core victory in R23 is real but narrow, and it does not translate into consistent wins across other single-thread tests.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge fundamentally in design philosophy. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 uses the Zen 5 architecture on a 4 nm TSMC process, with the Strix Halo codename. It packs 8 cores and 16 threads, enabling simultaneous multi-threading. The Intel Core 7 350, codenamed Wildcat Lake, uses a 3 nm Intel process with 6 cores and 6 threads, lacking hyper-threading support.

Cache hierarchies reflect the different approaches. AMD allocates 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of shared L3 cache. Intel provides 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, but only 6 MB of shared L3. The AMD L3 pool is more than five times larger, which benefits workloads with large working sets that need to stay resident.

Memory architecture creates another major divide. The AMD chip supports LPDDR5X over a quad-channel interface, yielding 256.0 GB/s of memory bandwidth. It also supports ECC memory. The Intel part supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X, but only over a single-channel bus, capping bandwidth at 59.7 GB/s. This 4.3x difference in theoretical bandwidth explains the massive gaps observed in memory-sensitive workloads like data compression and random string sorting. ECC support is exclusive to AMD.

The integrated graphics differ substantially. AMD pairs the CPU with a Radeon 8060S, while Intel uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The database does not include graphics benchmarks, but the specification gap suggests different intended use cases.

Platform connectivity also diverges. AMD uses the AMD Socket FP11 with 16 PCIe Gen 4 lanes from the CPU. Intel uses Intel BGA 1516 with 6 PCIe Gen 4 lanes. The AMD platform provides more than double the CPU-attached PCIe lanes, which matters for external GPU or high-speed storage configurations.

Power characteristics differ significantly. The AMD chip carries a 55 W TDP, while the Intel chip is rated at 15 W. This 40 W gap reflects the AMD part's higher performance envelope at the cost of greater power draw. The Intel processor's lower TDP suits fanless or passively cooled designs, while the AMD chip requires more substantial cooling.

Production status is active for both, but release timing differs. The AMD part has a release date in January 2026, while the Intel part arrives in April 2026, roughly three months later. Both target the mobile market segment.

The Verdict

The recorded data supports a clear performance hierarchy. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 delivers between 35.5% and 224.9% higher scores across multi-threaded workloads, with the average benchmark score of 49,796 placing it in the 90th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core 7 350 averages 17,779, placing it in the 71st percentile.

For users prioritizing multi-threaded throughput, rendering, data compression, or scientific computation, the AMD part is the only rational choice from this dataset. Its nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core 9 273PE at 49,845 (0.1% higher), the Intel Core i5-14600KF at 49,394 (0.8% lower), and the AMD Ryzen 9 7900 at 49,228 (1.2% lower). The Ryzen AI Max+ 388 competes in that performance class.

The Intel Core 7 350 sits in a different tier. Its nearest rivals are the Intel Core 5 221TE at 17,860 (0.5% higher), the AMD EPYC 9374F at 17,693 (0.5% lower), the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT at 17,891 (0.6% lower), and the Intel Core 5 120U at 17,898 (0.7% lower). The Core 7 350's single-core Cinebench R23 win is its only benchmark victory, and it is a narrow one.

The choice depends on workload and power constraints. The AMD part wins almost everything in this comparison, but it demands 55 W. The Intel part consumes 15 W and still delivers competitive single-thread performance. For battery-constrained mobile devices where multi-threaded tasks are rare, the Intel chip may suffice. For anything requiring sustained parallel computation, the AMD part dominates.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 | Intel Core 7 350 |

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

| Cores | 8 | 6 |

| Threads | 16 | 6 |

| Base clock | 3.60 GHz | 1.50 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.00 GHz | 4.80 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP11 | Intel BGA 1516 |

| Architecture | Zen 5 | Not specified |

| Codename | Strix Halo | Wildcat 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 | 6 MB shared |

| Memory support | LPDDR5X | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory bus | Quad-channel | Single-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 256.0 GB/s | 59.7 GB/s |

| ECC memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 16 lanes | Gen 4, 6 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon 8060S | Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) |

| Release date | 2026-01-05 | 2026-04-15 |

| Launch MSRP | None recorded | $469 |

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core 7 350 has 6 cores and 6 threads.

Q: How large is the single-core performance difference?

A: It is small. In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel leads by 4.2% (2,046 versus 1,960). In Cinebench R15 single-core, AMD leads by 2.1% (298 versus 292). PassMark single-thread also favors AMD by 2.1% (4,185 versus 4,100).

Q: What is the largest benchmark gap recorded?

A: The PassMark integer math test shows AMD at 109,588 versus Intel at 33,734, a 224.9% advantage for AMD.

Q: Does the Intel part support ECC memory?

A: No. ECC memory support is listed only for the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388.

Q: What memory bandwidth does each processor support?

A: The AMD chip supports 256.0 GB/s over quad-channel LPDDR5X. The Intel chip supports 59.7 GB/s over single-channel DDR5 or LPDDR5X.

Q: What are the TDP ratings?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 is rated at 55 W. The Intel Core 7 350 is rated at 15 W.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 wins in every multi-threaded category recorded. Data compression, integer math, floating point math, extended instructions, encryption, physics, prime number finding, random string sorting, and the multithread aggregate all favor AMD by margins from 35.5% to 224.9%. Cinebench R15 and R23 multi-core tests also go to AMD by more than 133%. Users running compiled code, batch rendering, data analysis, or any parallel workload should select the AMD part.

The Intel Core 7 350 wins exactly one benchmark: Cinebench R23 single-core, with a 4.2% margin. Its 15 W TDP is the lowest in this comparison, making it suitable for thermally constrained designs. The 6 MB L3 cache and single-channel memory interface limit its multi-threaded potential, but the single-core result shows it can keep pace with AMD in lightly threaded tasks. The 2.1% margins in the other single-thread tests are within noise territory.

The data shows no scenario where the Intel part wins on raw performance except that one single-core test. The AMD part's 90th percentile ranking versus the Intel part's 71st percentile confirms the overall gap. The choice reduces to a trade-off between performance and power. The AMD part uses 40 W more but delivers between 120% and 225% more throughput in the heaviest workloads. For any system with adequate cooling and battery capacity, the Ryzen AI Max+ 388 is the stronger option. For a minimal-power design where single-thread performance is the only requirement, the Core 7 350 offers a viable alternative.