AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 vs Intel Core i5-14600T Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i5-14600T has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 has 8 cores and 16 threads. Intel's higher core count contributes to its advantage in certain multi-threaded workloads.

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

A: The Intel Core i5-14600T leads in Cinebench single-core tests. It scores 319 in Cinebench R15 single-core versus 298 for the AMD part, and 3169 in Cinebench R23 single-core versus 1960, representing deltas of -6.6% and -38.2% from AMD's perspective.

Q: Which processor wins in data compression?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 delivers a PassMark data compression score of 400887 versus 301827 for the Intel Core i5-14600T, a 32.8% advantage. This indicates AMD's architecture handles compression workloads more efficiently.

Q: What is the difference in average benchmark scores?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 has an average benchmark score of 49796, placing it in the 90th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core i5-14600T records an average score of 32707, placing it in the 83rd percentile.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-14600T reaches a boost clock of 5.10 GHz, slightly higher than the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388's 5.00 GHz. The Intel chip also has a lower base clock of 1.80 GHz versus AMD's 3.60 GHz.

Q: How many benchmark comparisons does each processor win?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 wins 11 of the 15 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the Intel Core i5-14600T wins 4.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 uses the Zen 5 architecture on the Strix Halo codename, fabricated on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core i5-14600T uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename, built on Intel's 10 nm process. These process differences directly influence power characteristics and transistor density.

The AMD processor is a mobile segment chip with 8 cores and 16 threads, all based on Zen 5. The Intel processor is a desktop segment chip with 14 cores and 20 threads, using a hybrid architecture combining performance and efficiency cores within Raptor Lake. This core count disparity explains much of the multi-threaded performance gap in certain benchmarks.

Cache configurations differ substantially. Both chips have 80 KB of L1 cache per core. The AMD part has 1 MB of L2 cache per core and 32 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part has 2 MB of L2 cache per core and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger L3 on AMD benefits workloads with high data locality, while Intel's larger per-core L2 serves its higher physical core count.

Memory architecture diverges completely. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 supports LPDDR5X memory over a quad-channel bus, delivering 256.0 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The Intel Core i5-14600T supports both DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel bus, with no memory bandwidth figure recorded. AMD's high-bandwidth memory subsystem is a key differentiator for data-intensive tasks.

The integrated graphics differ: AMD uses the Radeon 8060S, while Intel uses UHD Graphics 770. Both processors support ECC memory. The AMD part uses AMD Socket FP11 with 16 PCIe Gen 4 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel part uses Intel Socket 1700 with 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes (CPU only). Intel's PCIe Gen 5 support provides faster connectivity to discrete devices.

The AMD chip has a die size of 2x 70.6 mm², while the Intel die measures 257 mm². The AMD processor has a TDP of 55 watts, versus 35 watts for Intel. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $255, while no launch MSRP is recorded for AMD.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 dominates in computational throughput and specialized instruction workloads. It wins 11 out of 15 head-to-head comparisons, including large margins in extended instructions, data compression, and multithreaded tests. The data shows AMD's Zen 5 architecture excels at parallel mathematical operations and data processing tasks.

The PassMark extended instructions test shows the largest gap: AMD scores 32719 versus 16985 for Intel, a 92.6% advantage. This indicates AMD's implementation of SIMD and other extended instruction sets is substantially more efficient. Similarly, AMD leads in floating point math by 12.4% and integer math by 15.2%.

Memory bandwidth plays a critical role in AMD's wins. The quad-channel LPDDR5X configuration with 256.0 GB/s bandwidth supports data compression (32.8% ahead), random string sorting (25.9% ahead), and multithreaded workloads (26.8% ahead). These tasks benefit directly from high memory throughput.

The Intel Core i5-14600T wins in single-core performance and Cinebench multi-core tests. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3169 is 38.2% higher than AMD's 1960. The R15 single-core score of 319 is 6.6% higher. Intel also wins Cinebench R23 multi-core with 22447 versus 18759, a 16.4% advantage, likely due to its higher core count.

Intel's physics benchmark win is narrow: 1873 versus 1843, a 1.6% margin. This indicates near-parity in physics simulation workloads. Overall, Intel's wins cluster in single-threaded latency-sensitive tasks and Cinebench's specific multi-core rendering workload, while AMD wins the broader set of PassMark computational tests.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 | Intel Core i5-14600T |

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

| Cores | 8 | 14 |

| Threads | 16 | 20 |

| Base Clock | 3.60 GHz | 1.80 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 5.10 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 35 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP11 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Zen 5 | Raptor Lake |

| Codename | Strix Halo | Raptor Lake-R |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die Size | 2x 70.6 mm² | 257 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 2 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 32 MB (shared) | 24 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | LPDDR5X | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 256.0 GB/s | Not recorded |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 8060S | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

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

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $255 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 establishes its largest victory in the PassMark extended instructions test. AMD scores 32719 against Intel's 16985, a 92.6% delta. This is the most decisive result in the comparison and indicates a fundamental architectural advantage in handling advanced instruction sets.

Data compression shows AMD's memory bandwidth advantage clearly. AMD scores 400887 versus 301827, a 32.8% lead. The quad-channel LPDDR5X memory subsystem with 256.0 GB/s bandwidth enables faster data movement, directly benefiting compression algorithms. Random string sorting follows a similar pattern: AMD leads 43196 to 34310, a 25.9% margin.

In multithreaded performance, AMD scores 33486 in PassMark multithread versus Intel's 26409, a 26.8% lead. Despite Intel having 14 cores versus AMD's 8, AMD's higher memory bandwidth and efficient Zen 5 cores deliver superior aggregate throughput. Prime number finding shows AMD ahead by 19.8%, and integer math by 15.2%, confirming consistent computational superiority.

Floating point math favors AMD at 72722 versus 64726, a 12.4% advantage. Data encryption shows AMD ahead by 10.2%. Single-thread PassMark results also favor AMD: 4185 versus 3744, an 11.8% lead. This is notable because Intel wins the Cinebench single-core tests, suggesting different workload characteristics between the two benchmark suites.

The Intel Core i5-14600T's largest win comes in Cinebench R23 single-core. Intel scores 3169 versus AMD's 1960, a 38.2% advantage. This is a substantial margin and reflects Intel's high boost clock of 5.10 GHz combined with Raptor Lake's strong single-thread IPC in this specific workload.

Cinebench R23 multi-core also goes to Intel: 22447 versus 18759, a 16.4% lead. Intel's 14 cores and 20 threads provide a raw core count advantage that overcomes AMD's memory bandwidth edge in this rendering workload. Cinebench R15 multi-core goes the other way: AMD wins 2872 to 2262, a 27% margin, showing that benchmark version differences can reverse the ranking.

Physics results are nearly identical: Intel scores 1873 against AMD's 1843, a 1.6% edge. Cinebench R15 single-core shows Intel ahead 319 to 298, a 6.6% margin, which is much narrower than the R23 single-core gap. The average benchmark scores reflect the overall picture: AMD at 49796 places in the 90th percentile, while Intel at 32707 places in the 83rd percentile. AMD's nearest rival is the Intel Core 9 273PE with a delta of -0.1%, while Intel's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 5 7400F at -0.1%.