AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 vs Intel Core i9-14900 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score in the database?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900 records an average benchmark score of 58115, while the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 records 49796. The Intel part sits at the 92nd percentile of all CPUs, the AMD part at the 90th.

Q: How do the two compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900 scores 31070 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 39.6% ahead of the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388's 18759.

Q: Does the AMD processor win any benchmark in the head-to-head comparison?

A: Yes, one test: PassMark extended instructions. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 scores 32719, a 6.8% advantage over the Intel Core i9-14900's 30624.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core i9-14900 has 24 cores and 32 threads.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900 boosts to 5.80 GHz, compared to 5.00 GHz for the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the Intel Core i9-14900?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900 has a launch MSRP of $549. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 has no recorded launch MSRP in the database.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-14900 dominates the head-to-head record, winning 14 of the 15 compared benchmarks. Its advantages are largest in multi-threaded workloads. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel chip scores 4793 versus 2872, a 40.1% lead. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows a nearly identical gap: 31070 versus 18759, or 39.6%. PassMark multithread also favors Intel, 44578 to 33486, a 24.9% margin. Data compression, integer math, floating point math, and random string sorting all show Intel leads between 27.1% and 39.5%.

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 takes one clear win: PassMark extended instructions, where it posts 32719 against Intel's 30624, a 6.8% advantage. That test measures SIMD and specialized instruction throughput, where the Zen 5 architecture holds an edge. The AMD part also narrows the gap in single-threaded tests. In PassMark single-thread, Intel leads by only 3.2% (4323 versus 4185). In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Intel margin shrinks to 5.4% (315 versus 298).

The use-case split is straightforward. For heavily parallel rendering, encoding, compression, encryption, and physics simulation, the Intel Core i9-14900 is the stronger part by a wide margin. For workloads that rely on extended instruction sets and SIMD efficiency, the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 delivers the better result. The AMD chip's single-thread scores are close enough to Intel's that everyday responsiveness should feel similar, but the benchmark data consistently places Intel ahead in sustained multi-threaded throughput.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 uses the Zen 5 architecture on TSMC's 4 nm process, with a die size of 2x 70.6 mm². It is built for the mobile segment on AMD Socket FP11. The Intel Core i9-14900 uses Raptor Lake architecture on Intel's 10 nm process, with a die size of 257 mm². It targets the desktop segment on Intel Socket 1700.

Core count is the defining difference. The Intel part packs 24 cores and 32 threads, combining performance and efficiency cores in Intel's hybrid design. The AMD part offers 8 cores and 16 threads, with no hybrid arrangement. Both chips list 80 KB of L1 cache per core, but L2 differs: 1 MB per core on AMD versus 2 MB per core on Intel. L3 cache favors Intel as well, 36 MB shared versus 32 MB shared on AMD.

Memory architecture also diverges. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 supports LPDDR5X with a quad-channel memory bus and a memory bandwidth of 256.0 GB/s. The Intel Core i9-14900 supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus; the database records no memory bandwidth figure for it. Both parts support ECC memory. PCIe generation differs: AMD uses Gen 4 with 16 CPU lanes, Intel uses Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes.

Integrated graphics differ significantly. The AMD part carries the Radeon 8060S, while the Intel part includes UHD Graphics 770. The AMD chip is unlocked? No, the multiplier is locked on both processors. The AMD part is built on a process node two generations ahead (4 nm versus 10 nm), which explains how it delivers competitive performance at a 55 W TDP versus Intel's 65 W TDP. The AMD part's release date is 2026-01-05, while the Intel part's release date is 2024-01-07.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification field. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 has 8 cores and 16 threads; the Intel Core i9-14900 has 24 cores and 32 threads. Base clocks are 3.60 GHz for AMD and 2.00 GHz for Intel, while boost clocks are 5.00 GHz and 5.80 GHz respectively. TDP is 55 W for AMD and 65 W for Intel.

Sockets and form factors are entirely different: AMD Socket FP11 versus Intel Socket 1700. The AMD part is a mobile chip; the Intel part is a desktop chip. Process node is 4 nm TSMC for AMD versus 10 nm Intel for the competitor. Die size is 2x 70.6 mm² for AMD versus 257 mm² for Intel.

Cache hierarchies differ in L2 and L3. AMD provides 1 MB L2 per core and 32 MB shared L3. Intel provides 2 MB L2 per core and 36 MB shared L3. Memory support is LPDDR5X with quad-channel for AMD, versus DDR4/DDR5 with dual-channel for Intel. AMD records 256.0 GB/s of memory bandwidth; Intel has no recorded figure. PCIe is Gen 4 for AMD and Gen 5 for Intel, both with 16 CPU lanes.

Integrated graphics: Radeon 8060S on AMD versus UHD Graphics 770 on Intel. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $549; the AMD part has none recorded. Both parts are currently active in production, and both have locked multipliers. The part numbers are 100-000001980 for AMD and SRN3V for Intel.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i9-14900's largest wins come in multi-core rendering and math workloads. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, Intel scores 4793 against AMD's 2872, a 40.1% margin. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 31070 versus 18759, a 39.6% gap. PassMark floating point math goes to Intel by 39.5% (120262 versus 72722). PassMark integer math favors Intel by 37.4% (175010 versus 109588). PassMark data encryption is a 40.1% Intel advantage (33540 versus 20092).

The margin narrows in several other tests. PassMark data compression shows Intel ahead by 27.1% (550271 versus 400887). PassMark random string sorting gives Intel a 29.3% lead (61060 versus 43196). PassMark physics has Intel up by 25.9% (2486 versus 1843). PassMark multithread shows a 24.9% Intel lead (44578 versus 33486). PassMark find prime numbers is 22.9% in Intel's favor (188 versus 145).

Single-threaded results are much closer. In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel leads by 11.4% (2212 versus 1960). Cinebench R15 single-core is a 5.4% Intel advantage (315 versus 298). PassMark single-thread shows Intel ahead by just 3.2% (4323 versus 4185).

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388's only head-to-head victory is PassMark extended instructions, where it scores 32719 versus Intel's 30624, a 6.8% edge. That result stands out because it is the single test where the AMD chip's architecture produces a measurable performance advantage. The rest of the benchmark matrix is consistently in Intel's favor, with the largest gaps appearing in tests that scale with core count and raw throughput.

The database's rival comparisons place both chips in similar company. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 sits within 1.2% of the Intel Core 9 273PE, the Intel Core i5-14600KF, the AMD Ryzen 9 7900, and the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5755G. The Intel Core i9-14900 sits within 1% of the Intel Xeon Platinum 8260M, the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D, the Intel Xeon w5-2545, and the AMD EPYC 9015. The Intel part's average score of 58115 places it in a higher performance tier than the AMD part's 49796, and the percentile ranking reflects that: 92nd for Intel, 90th for AMD.