AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 vs Intel Core 9 273PQE Comparison

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 and the Intel Core 9 273PQE occupy different corners of the processor market, one a mobile-focused part and the other a desktop part. The recorded data shows a clear performance hierarchy between them, with the Intel part winning every single benchmark in the database. The AMD part, built on the Zen 5 architecture, does deliver a strong feature set, but its benchmark scores place it in the 90th percentile, while the Intel part sits in the 93rd percentile. This guide breaks down the specifications, architecture, and benchmark results to show exactly where each processor stands.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PQE has an average benchmark score of 66099, while the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 has an average benchmark score of 49796.

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core 9 273PQE has 12 cores and 24 threads.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock speed?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PQE has a boost clock of 5.90 GHz, which is higher than the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388's boost clock of 5.00 GHz.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 supports 256.0 GB/s of memory bandwidth using a quad-channel LPDDR5X bus. The Intel Core 9 273PQE supports 89.6 GB/s via a dual-channel DDR4 or DDR5 bus.

Q: What is the process node for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 is built on a 4 nm process by TSMC. The Intel Core 9 273PQE is built on a 10 nm process by Intel.

Q: Which processor has a higher single-thread score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PQE scores 5532 in Cinebench R23 single-core, while the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 scores 1960.

Architecture Differences

The architectural split between these two parts is significant. 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 9 273PQE uses the Bartlett Lake codename, built on a 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry. This process difference is a major factor in power efficiency: the AMD part has a TDP of 55 watts, while the Intel part has a TDP of 125 watts.

The core configurations differ sharply. The AMD part has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel part has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel part also has a higher base clock at 3.40 GHz versus 3.60 GHz for AMD, and a much higher boost clock at 5.90 GHz versus 5.00 GHz. Cache hierarchies are also different. Both use 80 KB of L1 per core, but the AMD part uses 1 MB of L2 per core, while the Intel part uses 2 MB per core. The AMD part has 32 MB of shared L3, while the Intel part has 36 MB of shared L3.

Memory support is a key architectural differentiator. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 uses LPDDR5X with a quad-channel bus, delivering 256.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel Core 9 273PQE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, but uses a dual-channel bus, delivering 89.6 GB/s. Both support ECC memory. The PCIe interface also differs: AMD uses Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while Intel uses Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics differ as well, with AMD using the Radeon 8060S and Intel using the UHD Graphics 770.

The market segments and sockets are not the same. The AMD part is a mobile processor using AMD Socket FP11, while the Intel part is a desktop processor using Intel Socket 1700. The Intel part was released later, with a release date of 2026-03-08 versus 2026-01-05 for the AMD part. Both are currently active in production, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear choice for raw performance: the Intel Core 9 273PQE wins every single benchmark in the database. It has 12 cores versus 8, a higher boost clock of 5.90 GHz versus 5.00 GHz, and a much larger average benchmark score of 66099 versus 49796. For anyone prioritizing multi-threaded workloads, rendering, or heavy compute tasks, the Intel part is the stronger option based on the recorded scores.

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 is the choice for power-sensitive environments. Its 55 watt TDP is less than half of the Intel part's 125 watt TDP. It also offers substantially higher memory bandwidth at 256.0 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s, which can matter in memory-bound workloads. The AMD part is a mobile processor, so it is designed for systems where power draw and thermal output are constrained. The Intel part is a desktop processor, which means it is suited for systems with more robust cooling and power delivery. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $589. The AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 9 273PQE has 12 cores and 24 threads. Base clocks are close, 3.60 GHz for AMD and 3.40 GHz for Intel, but boost clocks diverge sharply: 5.00 GHz for AMD and 5.90 GHz for Intel. TDP is a major gap, with the AMD part at 55 watts and the Intel part at 125 watts.

The sockets are different, with AMD using Socket FP11 and Intel using Socket 1700. The process nodes differ, with AMD on 4 nm TSMC and Intel on 10 nm Intel. Cache configurations differ in L2 and L3: AMD has 1 MB L2 per core and 32 MB shared L3, while Intel has 2 MB L2 per core and 36 MB shared L3. Memory support differs, with AMD using LPDDR5X quad-channel at 256.0 GB/s and Intel using DDR4/DDR5 dual-channel at 89.6 GB/s. Both support ECC. PCIe generations differ, with AMD at Gen 4 and Intel at Gen 5, both with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics differ, with AMD using Radeon 8060S and Intel using UHD Graphics 770. The market segments differ, with AMD as mobile and Intel as desktop. Release dates differ, with AMD at 2026-01-05 and Intel at 2026-03-08. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $589, while the AMD part has none recorded.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are one-sided. The Intel Core 9 273PQE wins all 15 recorded benchmark comparisons. The largest margin comes in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Intel part scores 5532 against the AMD part's 1960, a delta of 64.6 percent in favor of Intel. The Cinebench R23 multi-core test also shows a massive gap: Intel scores 39190, AMD scores 18759, a 52.1 percent difference. Cinebench R15 single-core shows Intel at 557 versus AMD at 298, a 46.5 percent margin. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows Intel at 3950 versus AMD at 2872, a 27.3 percent margin.

PassMark results follow the same pattern. In floating point math, Intel scores 125546 against AMD's 72722, a 42.1 percent difference. Integer math shows Intel at 164629 versus AMD at 109588, a 33.4 percent margin. Data encryption shows Intel at 29636 versus AMD at 20092, a 32.2 percent difference. Data compression shows Intel at 585752 versus AMD at 400887, a 31.6 percent margin. Physics scores show Intel at 2754 versus AMD at 1843, a 33.1 percent difference. Multithread scores show Intel at 46107 versus AMD at 33486, a 27.4 percent margin. Find prime numbers shows Intel at 198 versus AMD at 145, a 26.8 percent difference. Random string sorting shows Intel at 53167 versus AMD at 43196, an 18.8 percent margin. Extended instructions show Intel at 38743 versus AMD at 32719, a 15.5 percent difference.

The smallest margin is in PassMark single-thread, where Intel scores 4573 and AMD scores 4185, a delta of 8.5 percent. This shows that while Intel holds a lead everywhere, the gap narrows significantly in single-threaded tasks. The AMD part's closest rival in the database is the Intel Core 9 273PE, with a delta of 0.1 percent, while the Intel Core 9 273PQE sits near the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus with a delta of 0.1 percent.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 9 273PQE wins in every measured workload. It is the stronger choice for multi-core rendering, as shown by a 52.1 percent lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and a 27.3 percent lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core. It also leads in single-core performance, with a 64.6 percent lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and a 46.5 percent lead in Cinebench R15 single-core. For compute-heavy tasks like floating point math, integer math, and data encryption, the Intel part holds leads of 42.1 percent, 33.4 percent, and 32.2 percent respectively.

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 does not win any benchmark, but it has attributes that matter outside of raw scores. Its 55 watt TDP makes it suitable for compact or mobile systems where power draw is a primary constraint. Its memory bandwidth of 256.0 GB/s is nearly three times the Intel part's 89.6 GB/s, which could reduce bottlenecks in memory-intensive workloads even if the CPU cores are slower. The AMD part also uses a 4 nm process, which typically correlates with better power efficiency per operation, though the benchmark data does not measure efficiency directly.

For a desktop system where performance is the only priority, the Intel Core 9 273PQE is the clear pick from the data. For a mobile system or a low-power build, the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 offers a better power profile and higher memory bandwidth, at the cost of significant performance in every recorded test. The Intel part also carries a launch MSRP of $589, while the AMD part has no listed price.