AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 vs Intel Core i5-14490F Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data records 15 benchmark comparisons between the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 and the Intel Core i5-14490F. The AMD processor wins 11 of those tests, while the Intel part takes 4. The most decisive AMD victory comes in PassMark extended instructions, where the Ryzen AI Max+ 388 scores 32,719 against 21,731 for the Intel chip, a 50.6% advantage. That is the single largest delta in either direction across the entire comparison set.

PassMark integer math also shows a substantial AMD lead. The Ryzen AI Max+ 388 records 109,588 points, while the Core i5-14490F manages 87,844, a 24.8% gap. Cinebench R15 multicore favors AMD as well, with 2,872 versus 2,318, a 23.9% difference. The AMD part also wins PassMark random string sorting by 21.3% (43,196 to 35,608), PassMark find prime numbers by 18.9% (145 to 122), and PassMark data compression by 17.9% (400,887 to 340,026). PassMark multithread goes to AMD at 33,486 versus 28,662, a 16.8% margin. Data encryption is closer but still an AMD win: 20,092 to 18,225, a 10.2% edge. Floating point math rounds out the AMD wins at 72,722 versus 66,558, a 9.3% advantage.

The Intel Core i5-14490F counters with strong showings in the Cinebench suite. The largest Intel win is Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 3,247 against 1,960 for the AMD chip, a 39.6% margin. Cinebench R23 multicore also goes to Intel at 23,000 versus 18,759, an 18.4% lead. Cinebench R15 single-core favors Intel by 8.9% (327 to 298), and PassMark physics goes to Intel by 11.9% (2,093 to 1,843).

The PassMark single-thread test, however, tells a different story from the Cinebench single-core results. In PassMark single-thread, the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 scores 4,185, beating the Intel chip's 3,873 by 8.1%. The discrepancy between the two suites suggests the AMD architecture handles certain single-thread workloads more efficiently, while the Intel part excels in the specific Cinebench rendering path. The recorded data also shows the same 4,185 and 3,873 figures appear under both passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread, confirming consistency across the database entries.

Overall average benchmark scores reinforce the AMD advantage. The Ryzen AI Max+ 388 posts an average benchmark score of 49,796, placing it in the 90th percentile of all CPUs. The Core i5-14490F averages 38,149, sitting in the 86th percentile. The nearest rivals for the AMD part include the Intel Core 9 273PE at 49,845 (0.1% ahead), the Intel Core i5-14600KF at 49,394 (0.8% behind), the AMD Ryzen 9 7900 at 49,228 (1.2% behind), and the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5755G at 49,196 (1.2% behind). The Intel chip's nearest rivals cluster around 38,100 to 38,260, with the Core Ultra 5 245T 0.1% ahead and the Core i5-13600KF 0.1% behind.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 dominates in data-processing and math-oriented workloads. The 50.6% extended instructions win indicates a major advantage for workloads that use AVX-style or similar instruction sets. Integer math at 24.8% ahead confirms the AMD part handles general arithmetic workloads with more headroom. Data compression and encryption, at 17.9% and 10.2% leads respectively, position the AMD chip as the stronger choice for archiving, database operations, and security-related tasks. Random string sorting, a proxy for certain text-processing and indexing workloads, also favors AMD by 21.3%. The PassMark multithread score, 16.8% ahead, reinforces that the AMD part sustains higher throughput across many concurrent threads.

The Intel Core i5-14490F wins in Cinebench workloads across the board. The 39.6% single-core lead in Cinebench R23 is the standout result, indicating the Intel chip's single-core rendering performance is substantially higher. The 18.4% multicore win in Cinebench R23 shows the advantage persists even when all cores are active. Cinebench R15 single-core goes to Intel by 8.9%, and PassMark physics favors Intel by 11.9%, suggesting the Intel part handles certain simulation or physics calculations more efficiently.

The PassMark single-thread result complicates the single-core picture. AMD wins that test by 8.1%, yet loses both Cinebench single-core tests. The data indicates the two processors have different optimization profiles: the Intel chip excels in the Cinebench rendering engine, while the AMD chip handles the PassMark single-thread workload better. Users running Cinebench-style rendering should expect the Intel part to lead; users running PassMark-style mixed workloads should expect the AMD part to lead.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmark comparisons?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 wins 11 of the 15 recorded head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core i5-14490F wins 4.

Q: What is the largest single benchmark margin between the two?

A: The largest margin is in PassMark extended instructions, where the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 scores 32,719 versus 21,731 for the Intel Core i5-14490F, a 50.6% difference.

Q: Does the Intel processor win any multicore tests?

A: Yes. The Intel Core i5-14490F wins Cinebench R23 multicore with 23,000 points against 18,759 for the AMD chip, an 18.4% lead. However, the AMD part wins PassMark multithread by 16.8% (33,486 versus 28,662).

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

A: The results are mixed. The Intel Core i5-14490F wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 39.6% (3,247 versus 1,960) and Cinebench R15 single-core by 8.9% (327 versus 298). The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 wins PassMark single-thread by 8.1% (4,185 versus 3,873).

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 has an average benchmark score of 49,796, placing it in the 90th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core i5-14490F has an average of 38,149, placing it in the 86th percentile.

Q: How close is the AMD processor to its nearest rival?

A: The closest rival to the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 is the Intel Core 9 273PE, which posts an average score of 49,845, a 0.1% difference. The Intel Core i5-14600KF trails by 0.8%, and the AMD Ryzen 9 7900 trails by 1.2%.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several core specifications. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 uses 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i5-14490F uses 10 cores and 16 threads. The AMD base clock is 3.60 GHz, notably higher than the Intel base clock of 2.50 GHz. Both processors boost to 5.00 GHz, so peak clock speed is identical.

Thermal design power differs, with the AMD part rated at 55 W and the Intel part at 65 W. The sockets are incompatible: the AMD chip uses AMD Socket FP11, while the Intel chip uses Intel Socket 1700. The AMD processor is classified as a mobile part, and the Intel processor is classified as a desktop part. The AMD chip includes integrated graphics (Radeon 8060S), while the Intel chip has no integrated graphics (listed as N/A). ECC memory support is present on the AMD processor but absent on the Intel processor.

Memory support also diverges. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 supports LPDDR5X memory on a quad-channel bus with a memory bandwidth of 256.0 GB/s. The Intel Core i5-14490F supports DDR4 and DDR5 on a dual-channel bus, with no memory bandwidth figure recorded in the database. PCIe capabilities differ as well: the AMD part provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes, while the Intel part provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes.

The AMD processor has a release date of 2026-01-05, while the Intel processor has a release date of 2023-12-31. The Intel part carries part number SRN35; the AMD part carries part number 100-000001980. Neither processor has a recorded launch MSRP in the database, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 is built on the Zen 5 architecture with the codename Strix Halo, part of the Ryzen AI Max generation. It uses a 4 nm process node from TSMC and has a die size of 2x 70.6 mm². The Intel Core i5-14490F uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the codename Raptor Lake-R, part of the Core 14th Gen and Core i5 (Raptor Lake Refresh) generation. It uses a 10 nm process node from Intel with a die size of 215 mm².

Cache configurations differ in L2 and L3. Both processors have 80 KB of L1 cache per core. The AMD chip has 1 MB of L2 cache per core, while the Intel chip has 1.25 MB per core. The AMD processor has 32 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel processor has 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part therefore has a larger total cache pool despite having fewer cores.

The manufacturing foundry also differs. The AMD processor is fabricated by TSMC, and the Intel processor is fabricated by Intel. The AMD part uses a smaller process node (4 nm versus 10 nm), which contributes to its lower 55 W TDP despite the higher base clock. The Intel part's larger 215 mm² die reflects the older process node.

The AMD processor includes the Radeon 8060S integrated graphics, making it a self-contained mobile solution. The Intel processor has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for display output. The AMD part supports ECC memory, which the Intel part does not.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to a clear overall winner in the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388. It wins 11 of 15 head-to-head comparisons, holds a higher average benchmark score (49,796 versus 38,149), and sits in the 90th percentile of all CPUs compared to the Intel chip's 86th percentile. The AMD part's advantages in extended instructions, integer math, data compression, encryption, and multithread performance make it the stronger processor for general compute workloads, data processing, and security-related tasks.

The Intel Core i5-14490F wins in Cinebench rendering tests, including a 39.6% single-core lead and an 18.4% multicore lead in Cinebench R23. It also wins PassMark physics by 11.9%. Users whose primary workload is Cinebench-style rendering or physics simulation should expect the Intel part to deliver higher scores in those specific tests.

The PassMark single-thread result creates a nuanced picture. The AMD part wins that test by 8.1%, which contradicts the Cinebench single-core results. The data indicates the AMD chip is not universally slower in single-threaded work; it simply loses in the Cinebench rendering path. The Intel chip also has a higher core count at 10 cores versus 8, yet the AMD part still wins PassMark multithread, suggesting the AMD cores are more efficient per thread in that workload.

For buyers choosing between these two processors, the decision rests on workload priorities. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 delivers the broader performance envelope, higher average scores, integrated graphics, ECC support, and a lower 55 W TDP. The Intel Core i5-14490F delivers superior Cinebench rendering performance, physics scores, and a desktop socket with Gen 5 PCIe support. Both are active production parts, but the AMD processor's release date of 2026-01-05 places it as the newer design.