AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225H Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher benchmark percentile ranking?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 sits in the 90th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 225H is in the 82nd percentile. The AMD part also posts a much higher average benchmark score of 49796 compared to the Intel's 31508.

Q: What is the difference in multi-core rendering performance?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 scores 18759 versus the Intel Core Ultra 5 225H's 14629.5, a 28.2% advantage for AMD. The R15 multi-core test shows a similar gap, with AMD leading 2872 to 2397.5, a 19.8% difference.

Q: Does the Intel processor win any single-threaded tests?

A: Yes, the Intel Core Ultra 5 225H edges out the AMD in Cinebench R23 single-core, scoring 1969 against AMD's 1960, a 0.5% lead. It also wins PassMark single-thread, 4258 to 4185, a 1.7% margin.

Q: How do the two processors compare in memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 features a quad-channel memory bus with 256.0 GB/s of bandwidth, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 225H uses a dual-channel bus with 102.4 GB/s. The AMD part also supports LPDDR5X memory exclusively, whereas Intel supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X.

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 Ultra 5 225H has 14 cores and 14 threads, meaning it does not support simultaneous multithreading.

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 Ultra 5 225H has 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip does have a larger L2 cache per core at 3 MB versus AMD's 1 MB, and larger L1 cache per core at 192 KB versus 80 KB.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 is built on the Zen 5 architecture under the Strix Halo codename, manufactured on a 4 nm TSMC process. It uses two chiplets, each with a 70.6 mm² die size. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225H is based on Arrow Lake, specifically the Arrow Lake-H variant, fabricated on a more advanced 3 nm TSMC node. This process difference may contribute to the Intel chip's lower thermal design power of 28 watts, compared to AMD's 55 watts.

Core configurations diverge significantly. The AMD processor uses 8 cores with 16 threads, relying on simultaneous multithreading to double its logical processing capacity. The Intel processor packs 14 physical cores but only 14 threads, indicating no hyper-threading support. This gives Intel more physical cores for parallel workloads, while AMD relies on its thread-doubling technology to match logical core counts.

Cache hierarchies also differ. AMD allocates 80 KB of L1 and 1 MB of L2 per core, with a 32 MB shared L3 pool. Intel provides 192 KB of L1 and 3 MB of L2 per core, but only 18 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core caches on Intel may help with localized data access, while AMD's larger L3 cache serves as a bigger shared buffer for all cores.

Memory architecture presents another clear split. The AMD chip uses a quad-channel LPDDR5X interface delivering 256.0 GB/s, while the Intel chip uses dual-channel DDR5 or LPDDR5X at 102.4 GB/s. This 2.5x bandwidth advantage for AMD is substantial for memory-intensive tasks. AMD also supports ECC memory, which Intel does not. PCIe connectivity differs as well: AMD provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes, while Intel provides Gen 5 with 8 lanes. The newer PCIe standard on Intel offers higher per-lane bandwidth, but AMD doubles the lane count.

The integrated graphics solutions are distinct. AMD pairs the CPU with a Radeon 8060S, while Intel includes Arc Graphics 130T. Both target mobile segments, with AMD using Socket FP11 and Intel using BGA 2049. Release dates differ by nearly a year, with Intel launching on January 12, 2025, and AMD following on January 5, 2026.

The Verdict

The benchmark data indicates a clear split in workload suitability. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 wins 8 of the 15 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 225H wins 7. However, the magnitude of AMD's victories is generally larger. The AMD chip delivers a 59.9% lead in PassMark integer math, a 49.3% lead in extended instructions, and a 41.4% lead in data compression. The Intel chip's largest win is 34.1% in PassMark find prime numbers, followed by 16% in floating point math.

For users running heavily parallel, integer-heavy, or compression-oriented workloads, the AMD processor is the stronger choice. Its 28.2% multi-core Cinebench R23 advantage and 19.1% PassMark multithread lead confirm this. The 256.0 GB/s memory bandwidth also positions it well for data-intensive applications.

The Intel processor appeals to those prioritizing single-thread responsiveness and specific math operations. It wins Cinebench R23 single-core and PassMark single-thread, and it dominates in prime number calculations and floating point math. The lower 28-watt TDP also suggests better efficiency in thermally constrained mobile chassis, though the data does not include direct power consumption measurements.

The 90th percentile ranking for AMD versus 82nd for Intel, combined with an average benchmark score of 49796 versus 31508, points to AMD as the overall higher-performing part. The Intel chip, however, offers a more balanced profile across certain math workloads and a more advanced 3 nm process node.

Specification Differences

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 and Intel Core Ultra 5 225H differ across nearly every core specification. AMD uses 8 cores with 16 threads, while Intel uses 14 cores with 14 threads. Base clocks are 3.60 GHz for AMD and 1.70 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks are closer, with AMD at 5.00 GHz and Intel at 4.90 GHz. The thermal design power is 55 watts for AMD and 28 watts for Intel.

Process nodes differ: AMD uses 4 nm TSMC, Intel uses 3 nm TSMC. The AMD chip has a die size of 2x 70.6 mm², while Intel's die size is not recorded. Cache hierarchies differ in all levels: AMD has 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 32 MB shared L3. Intel has 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 18 MB shared L3.

Memory support differs, with AMD supporting only LPDDR5X on a quad-channel bus with 256.0 GB/s bandwidth. Intel supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X on a dual-channel bus with 102.4 GB/s. ECC memory is available on AMD but not Intel. PCIe versions and lane counts differ: AMD uses Gen 4 with 16 lanes, Intel uses Gen 5 with 8 lanes. Integrated graphics are Radeon 8060S for AMD and Arc Graphics 130T for Intel. Sockets, codenames, generations, and part numbers all differ. Release dates are January 5, 2026 for AMD and January 12, 2025 for Intel.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench tests reveal a strong multi-core advantage for AMD. In R15 multi-core, AMD scores 2872 against Intel's 2397.5, a 19.8% margin. In R23 multi-core, AMD extends this to 28.2%, scoring 18759 versus 14629.5. Single-core results are much closer. AMD wins R15 single-core with 298 versus 288.5, a 3.3% margin, but Intel wins R23 single-core with 1969 versus 1960, a 0.5% edge.

PassMark tests show a diverse pattern. AMD dominates integer math with a 59.9% lead, scoring 109588 versus 68520. AMD also wins extended instructions by 49.3%, scoring 32719 versus 21915. Data compression favors AMD by 41.4%, with scores of 400887 versus 283451. Random string sorting goes to AMD by 28.4%, with 43196 versus 33654.

Intel fights back in several math workloads. The prime number test shows Intel scoring 220 against AMD's 145, a 34.1% advantage. Floating point math favors Intel by 16%, with 86540 versus 72722. Data encryption goes to Intel by 6.2%, scoring 21428 versus 20092. Physics tests are nearly tied, with Intel at 1877 and AMD at 1843, a 1.8% gap. Single-thread PassMark results give Intel a 1.7% lead, 4258 versus 4185.

The multithread PassMark test confirms AMD's overall parallel advantage, with AMD scoring 33486 versus Intel's 28119, a 19.1% margin. Across all 15 head-to-head tests, AMD wins 8 and Intel wins 7, but AMD's average winning margin is larger due to its commanding leads in integer math, extended instructions, and compression.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 wins decisively in multi-core rendering, integer-heavy math, data compression, and random string sorting. These strengths point toward content creation, scientific computing, database operations, and any workload that benefits from high memory bandwidth and wide parallel execution. The 256.0 GB/s quad-channel memory bandwidth is a key differentiator, giving AMD a 2.5x bandwidth advantage over Intel. The 90th percentile ranking and 49796 average benchmark score reinforce this positioning.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225H wins in single-thread tests, floating point math, prime number calculation, data encryption, and physics simulations. The 14 physical cores provide a different parallel structure, and the 3 nm process node suggests better power efficiency at its 28-watt TDP. Intel's wins in passmark_find_prime_numbers (34.1%) and floating point math (16%) indicate strengths in algorithmic workloads and scientific simulations that rely on those operations. The single-thread wins in both Cinebench R23 and PassMark show that Intel maintains a slight edge in latency-sensitive, single-core tasks.

The overall split is clear: AMD for throughput-oriented, memory-hungry tasks, and Intel for specific math operations and efficiency-sensitive mobile designs. The data does not include any power consumption measurements, so the 28-watt versus 55-watt TDP difference remains a specification observation rather than a tested performance factor.