AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a dominant performance profile for the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF, which wins 14 of the 15 head-to-head comparisons. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 secures only a single victory, but that win is substantial and reveals a distinct strength in one specific workload.

The most decisive Intel victories come in rendering and single-thread tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel processor scores 36647 against the AMD's 18759, a 48.8% advantage. The single-core gap is even more pronounced: 5173 versus 1960, a 62.1% delta. These are not marginal differences; they indicate a fundamentally higher performance ceiling in both lightly threaded and heavily threaded compute tasks. The Cinebench R15 results reinforce this trend, with Intel leading by 22.2% in multi-core (3693 vs 2872) and 42.8% in single-core (521 vs 298).

Memory and encryption workloads also heavily favor Intel. The data encryption test shows Intel at 33381 versus AMD's 20092, a 39.8% lead. Find prime numbers, a test sensitive to integer throughput and latency, shows the largest single delta of any benchmark: Intel scores 416 against AMD's 145, a 65.1% gap. Floating point math performance follows the same pattern, with Intel at 131546 and AMD at 72722, a 44.7% difference.

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388's lone win is in PassMark integer math. Here it scores 109588, which is 10.9% ahead of the Intel's 98854. This is a notable counterpoint, as it demonstrates that AMD's core architecture can excel in specific arithmetic workloads despite losing the broader multi-core and single-core contests. However, this single win does not offset the overall pattern. In the remaining PassMark tests, Intel maintains leads of 11.2% in single-thread (4715 vs 4185), 12.9% in data compression (460123 vs 400887), 13.7% in extended instructions (37912 vs 32719), 21.8% in random string sorting (55206 vs 43196), 22.3% in multi-thread (43110 vs 33486), and 38.5% in physics (2998 vs 1843).

The average benchmark score for the Intel part is 55093, placing it in the 91st percentile of all CPUs. The AMD part averages 49796, placing it in the 90th percentile. While both are high-percentile processors, the Intel part's average is 10.7% higher. The nearest rivals for the Intel part include the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D (0.6% higher average) and the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K (1.9% lower average), indicating it sits in a tightly competitive desktop performance band. The AMD part's nearest rivals include the Intel Core 9 273PE (0.1% lower average) and the Intel Core i5-14600KF (0.8% higher average), showing it competes with a different performance tier despite its high percentile ranking.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF is decisively ahead in single-core benchmarks. It scores 5173 in Cinebench R23 single-core versus 1960 for the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388, a 62.1% advantage. The PassMark single-thread test also favors Intel, 4715 versus 4185, an 11.2% lead.

Q: How do the two compare in multi-core rendering workloads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF dominates multi-core rendering. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 36647 compared to the AMD's 18759, a 48.8% advantage. The Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows a similar pattern, with Intel ahead by 22.2%.

Q: Is there any workload where the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 wins?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 wins the PassMark integer math test. It scores 109588, which is 10.9% ahead of the Intel's 98854. This is the only head-to-head benchmark where AMD takes the lead.

Q: What is the overall performance percentile for each processor?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF is in the 91st percentile of all CPUs, while the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 is in the 90th percentile. The Intel processor also has a higher average benchmark score, 55093 versus 49796.

Q: How significant is the difference in average benchmark scores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF's average benchmark score of 55093 is 10.7% higher than the AMD's 49796. This indicates a consistent advantage across the full suite of tests, not just in a few isolated workloads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock speed?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF has a boost clock of 5.20 GHz, which is higher than the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388's boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Intel part also has a higher base clock at 4.20 GHz versus 3.60 GHz.

The Verdict

The data clearly indicates that the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF is the stronger processor for raw computational performance. It wins 14 of 15 benchmark comparisons, with victories spanning single-core, multi-core, encryption, physics, and memory-intensive workloads. Its 48.8% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 62.1% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core are particularly stark. For any application that relies on conventional CPU throughput, the Intel part is the superior choice based on the recorded measurements.

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 does not offer a competitive counter in general computing. Its only win is in integer math, where it leads by 10.9%. This suggests a specific architectural strength, but it does not translate into broader performance wins. The AMD part's average benchmark score of 49796 is substantially lower than Intel's 55093. For users prioritizing maximum compute performance, the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF is the verdict from the data.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ substantially in their core and thread configurations. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF has 14 cores and 14 threads, while the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel part, therefore, has more physical cores but does not support simultaneous multithreading, while the AMD part has fewer cores but double the threads per core.

Clock speeds also differ. The Intel processor has a base clock of 4.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The AMD processor has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. Intel holds the advantage in both base and boost frequencies.

The thermal design power (TDP) differs significantly. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF has a TDP of 125 watts, while the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 has a TDP of 55 watts. This indicates a much lower power envelope for the AMD part, though benchmark performance does not reflect an efficiency advantage.

Memory support and bandwidth are also different. The Intel part uses DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus and a maximum bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. The AMD part uses LPDDR5X memory with a quad-channel bus and a maximum bandwidth of 256.0 GB/s. The AMD part has double the memory channels and significantly higher bandwidth. The AMD part also supports ECC memory, while the Intel part does not.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF has an unlocked multiplier and a launch MSRP of $294. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 does not have an unlocked multiplier and has no recorded launch MSRP.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on different architectures and process nodes. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 uses the Zen 5 architecture, codenamed Strix Halo, and is fabricated on a 4 nm process by TSMC. Its die size is listed as 2x 70.6 mm². The Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF uses the Arrow Lake architecture, codenamed Arrow Lake-S, and is fabricated on a 3 nm process, also by TSMC. Its die size is 243 mm², and it contains 17,800 million transistors.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The AMD processor has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 32 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel processor has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. Intel has larger L1 and L2 caches per core, while AMD has more total L3 cache.

The integrated graphics also differ. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 includes a Radeon 8060S integrated GPU. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF has no integrated graphics, listed as "N/A". This is a major functional difference, as the AMD part can output video without a discrete GPU, while the Intel part requires one.

PCIe support differs. The Intel processor supports PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The AMD processor supports PCIe Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Intel offers a newer PCIe generation and more lanes.

The market segments differ. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 is a mobile processor on AMD Socket FP11. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF is a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1851. The Intel part was released on 2024-10-23, while the AMD part has a release date of 2026-01-05.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF wins in almost every measured category. It is the clear choice for multi-threaded rendering, as shown by its 48.8% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core. It is also superior in single-thread performance, with a 62.1% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core. Applications that rely on data compression, encryption, physics simulation, floating point math, and random string sorting all favor Intel. The PassMark multi-thread test also shows Intel ahead by 22.3%. For any conventional desktop computing workload, from content creation to scientific computing, the Intel part is the performance leader.

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 wins only in PassMark integer math, with a 10.9% lead. This indicates a specific capability in integer-heavy arithmetic tasks. However, this is an isolated result. The AMD part's higher memory bandwidth (256.0 GB/s versus 102.4 GB/s) and integrated Radeon 8060S graphics are notable features, but they do not translate into benchmark wins in the recorded data. The AMD part's lower TDP of 55 watts versus 125 watts suggests a lower power draw, but no efficiency benchmark is present in the data to quantify that difference.

The data supports a clear split: Intel wins on raw compute performance across nearly all tests, while AMD wins on a single integer workload and offers integrated graphics and a mobile form factor. For users needing the highest CPU benchmark scores, the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF is the definitive choice. For users requiring integrated graphics output, the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 is the only option with that capability, as the Intel part has no iGPU.