AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 vs Intel Core i5-14500HX Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a clear split between the two processors. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 wins 11 of the 15 recorded comparisons, while the Intel Core i5-14500HX wins 4. The largest single victory belongs to AMD in the PassMark extended instructions test, where the Ryzen AI Max+ 388 scores 32719 against 20019 for Intel, a 63.4% advantage. This is the kind of workload that benefits from the AMD chip's architecture, and the margin is substantial.

In multi-core Cinebench tests, the results are mixed. The AMD chip wins Cinebench R15 multi-core with a score of 2872 against 2442, a 17.6% lead. However, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, Intel reverses the result with a score of 24234 versus 18759, a 22.6% advantage for the i5-14500HX. This suggests that the two chips respond differently to the specific scaling of each benchmark version, with Intel pulling ahead in the more recent R23 workload.

Single-core performance is a clear Intel strength. The i5-14500HX wins Cinebench R15 single-core with 344 against 298, a 13.4% margin. In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel extends its lead to 3421 versus 1960, a 42.7% difference. That is the largest single-core gap in the entire comparison. PassMark single-thread results tell a different story, however: AMD wins with 4185 against 3629, a 15.3% margin. The PassMark single-thread test and the Cinebench single-core tests clearly measure different aspects of performance, and each processor has its own strengths in those specific workloads.

In the PassMark suite, AMD dominates most categories. Data compression goes to AMD with 400887 versus 333851, a 20.1% lead. Integer math shows AMD at 109588 against 95584, a 14.7% advantage. Floating point math is closer, with AMD at 72722 versus 69442, a 4.7% margin. Random string sorting favors AMD at 43196 versus 36219, a 19.3% gap. Prime number finding sees AMD at 145 versus 130, an 11.5% edge. Data encryption is the narrowest AMD win: 20092 versus 19502, just 3.0% apart. The only PassMark test Intel wins is physics, where the i5-14500HX scores 1911 versus 1843, a 3.6% margin.

Overall average benchmark scores confirm the AMD chip's position. The Ryzen AI Max+ 388 has an average benchmark score of 49796, while the i5-14500HX sits at 35094. The AMD part ranks in the 90th percentile among all CPUs, while Intel ranks in the 84th percentile. The nearest rival to AMD is the Intel Core 9 273PE with an average score of 49845, a 0.1% difference. The nearest rival to Intel is the Intel Core i7-12700K with an average score of 35287, a 0.5% difference.

Architecture Differences

The two processors use fundamentally different designs. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 is built on the Zen 5 architecture with the Strix Halo codename, manufactured on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core i5-14500HX uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-HX codename, manufactured on a 10 nm process at Intel. The die size differs substantially: AMD uses two chiplets at 2x 70.6 mm², while Intel uses a single monolithic die at 257 mm².

Core counts diverge significantly. The AMD chip has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel chip has 14 cores and 20 threads. Intel uses its hybrid architecture with performance and efficiency cores, which is reflected in the higher core count. The AMD chip relies on its Zen 5 cores with simultaneous multithreading to reach 16 threads.

Cache configurations also differ. Both use 80 KB of L1 per core, but the L2 cache is 1 MB per core for AMD and 2 MB per core for Intel. The L3 cache is 32 MB shared for AMD versus 24 MB shared for Intel. AMD's larger L3 cache may contribute to its strong PassMark extended instructions and data compression scores.

Memory support is a major differentiator. The AMD chip supports LPDDR5X memory with a quad-channel bus and a recorded memory bandwidth of 256.0 GB/s. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus, and no memory bandwidth figure is recorded in the database. Both processors support ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity differs by generation. AMD uses Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while Intel uses Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics are also different: AMD has the Radeon 8060S, while Intel has the UHD Graphics 770.

Clock speeds favor AMD on base frequency but Intel is close on boost. The AMD chip has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Intel chip has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. Both are rated at 55 W TDP. The AMD chip uses the AMD Socket FP11, while the Intel chip uses Intel BGA 1964. The AMD multiplier is locked, while the Intel multiplier is unlocked. The AMD part number is 100-000001980; the Intel part number is SRMXJ.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 wins in workloads that stress extended instruction sets, data compression, integer math, and multithreaded PassMark tests. The 63.4% lead in extended instructions is the standout result, indicating strong SIMD or vector processing capability. The 20.1% data compression win and the 14.7% integer math win point to productivity tasks like archive handling, database operations, and scientific calculations. The 17.5% PassMark multithread win and the 17.6% Cinebench R15 multi-core win show that the AMD chip handles older multi-threaded workloads well.

The Intel Core i5-14500HX wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core with a 22.6% margin and in Cinebench R23 single-core with a 42.7% margin. These are the most modern Cinebench versions in the database, so Intel's advantage here is directly relevant to current rendering and 3D modeling tasks. The physics test win, with a 3.6% margin, suggests Intel has a slight edge in physics simulation workloads. The 13.4% Cinebench R15 single-core win also favors Intel, though the margin is smaller than in R23.

For users who prioritize the newest Cinebench versions, the Intel chip clearly has the edge. For users who work with compression, encryption, extended instructions, or PassMark-heavy workloads, the AMD chip is the stronger choice. The split is not simply about core count or clock speed; it reflects architectural differences in how each chip handles specific instruction patterns.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 has an average benchmark score of 49796, while the Intel Core i5-14500HX has an average score of 35094.

Q: How large is the single-core advantage for Intel in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i5-14500HX scores 3421 in Cinebench R23 single-core, while the AMD chip scores 1960, giving Intel a 42.7% lead.

Q: Which chip wins the PassMark single-thread test?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 wins with a score of 4185 against 3629 for Intel, a 15.3% margin.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core i5-14500HX has 14 cores and 20 threads.

Q: Which processor has the larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 has 32 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i5-14500HX has 24 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD chip supports LPDDR5X memory with a quad-channel bus and 256.0 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel chip supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i5-14500HX has 14 cores and 20 threads. Base clocks differ: AMD at 3.60 GHz, Intel at 2.60 GHz. Boost clocks are close: AMD at 5.00 GHz, Intel at 4.90 GHz. Both are rated at 55 W TDP.

The process nodes are different: AMD uses 4 nm at TSMC, Intel uses 10 nm at Intel. Die size differs: AMD uses 2x 70.6 mm², Intel uses 257 mm². L2 cache is 1 MB per core for AMD and 2 MB per core for Intel. L3 cache is 32 MB shared for AMD and 24 MB shared for Intel.

Memory support differs: AMD uses LPDDR5X with quad-channel and 256.0 GB/s bandwidth; Intel uses DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel and no recorded bandwidth. PCIe generation differs: AMD uses Gen 4 with 16 lanes, Intel uses Gen 5 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics differ: AMD has Radeon 8060S, Intel has UHD Graphics 770.

Sockets differ: AMD uses AMD Socket FP11, Intel uses Intel BGA 1964. The multiplier is locked on AMD and unlocked on Intel. Release dates differ: AMD was released on 2026-01-05, Intel on 2024-01-07. The AMD part number is 100-000001980; the Intel part number is SRMXJ. Both support ECC memory. Both are mobile segment parts with active production status.

The Verdict

The data shows two distinct performance profiles. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 delivers a higher average benchmark score of 49796 and sits in the 90th percentile, with wins in 11 of 15 head-to-head comparisons. It is the better choice for workloads involving extended instructions, data compression, integer math, and floating-point math, based on the recorded margins. Its quad-channel LPDDR5X memory with 256.0 GB/s bandwidth and larger L3 cache support these results.

The Intel Core i5-14500HX, with an average score of 35094 and an 84th percentile ranking, wins 4 of 15 comparisons. It is the better choice for Cinebench R23 multi-core and single-core workloads, where it leads by 22.6% and 42.7% respectively. Its higher core count of 14 versus 8 and its unlocked multiplier give it a different character, more suited to rendering tasks and physics simulations where its scores are highest.

The choice depends on the workload. For users running current Cinebench versions or physics-heavy applications, the Intel chip has the recorded advantage. For users running compression, encryption, extended instruction, or PassMark-based tasks, the AMD chip leads consistently. The AMD part also has a higher percentile ranking and a higher average benchmark score overall, which indicates stronger general-purpose performance across the full test suite in the database.