AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 vs Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents an unambiguous picture: the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX wins all 15 recorded head-to-head tests. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 does not take a single recorded victory. The margin varies substantially depending on the workload, ranging from a modest 7% gap in single-threaded PassMark tests to a dominant 65.8% deficit for AMD in Cinebench R23 single-core.

Starting with the multi-core rendering workloads, the Intel part delivers a commanding performance. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX scores 40,642 against the AMD's 18,759, a delta of -53.8% for AMD. This is the largest absolute score gap in the dataset. The older Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows a similar trend, with Intel at 4,096 and AMD at 2,872, a -29.9% difference. The data indicates that the Intel processor's higher core count and thread count are decisive in heavily parallel rendering tasks.

Single-core performance tells a similar story, though with a wider relative gap. In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel scores 5,737 compared to AMD's 1,960, a -65.8% delta. The Cinebench R15 single-core test shows Intel at 578 and AMD at 298, a -48.4% delta. These results indicate a substantial per-thread performance advantage for the Intel architecture in this benchmark suite.

The PassMark suite reveals a more nuanced competitive landscape, though Intel still wins every category. The closest contest is in PassMark single-thread performance, where Intel scores 4,500 and AMD 4,185, a delta of just -7%. This suggests that in certain lightly threaded integer workloads, the AMD processor is nearly competitive. The PassMark integer math test also shows a relatively tight margin: Intel at 126,954 versus AMD at 109,588, a -13.7% delta.

Other PassMark subsystems show larger Intel advantages. In floating-point math, Intel scores 161,605 against AMD's 72,722, a -55% delta. Data encryption shows Intel at 39,472 versus AMD's 20,092, a -49.1% delta. The find prime numbers test, which is often sensitive to integer throughput, shows Intel at 406 and AMD at 145, a -64.3% delta. Extended instructions, a measure of SIMD and specialized instruction performance, has Intel at 40,741 and AMD at 32,719, a -19.7% delta.

The multithreaded PassMark score confirms the pattern. Intel scores 47,985, while AMD scores 33,486, a -30.2% delta. The physics test, often used as a proxy for gaming physics calculations, shows Intel at 2,978 and AMD at 1,843, a -38.1% delta. Data compression shows Intel at 511,817 against AMD's 400,887, a -21.7% delta. Random string sorting, a memory-latency-sensitive test, has Intel at 62,458 and AMD at 43,196, a -30.8% delta.

The average benchmark score metric reinforces this hierarchy. The Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX has an average score of 63,173, placing it in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 has an average score of 49,796, placing it in the 90th percentile. The Intel processor's nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core i7-13790F with an average score of 63,080 (a 0.1% delta) and the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G at 63,331 (a -0.2% delta for Intel). The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388's nearest rivals include the Intel Core 9 273PE at 49,845 (a -0.1% delta) and the AMD Ryzen 9 7900 at 49,228 (a 1.2% delta).

The Verdict

The recorded data indicates that the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX is the superior processor for every benchmark in the comparison. It wins all 15 head-to-head tests with deltas ranging from -7% to -65.8%. The average benchmark score difference is substantial: 63,173 versus 49,796, a difference of 13,377 points. The Intel part also holds a higher percentile ranking at 93 compared to AMD's 90.

For users prioritizing raw CPU performance across rendering, physics, math, and general productivity, the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX is the clear choice based on the data. Its 20 cores and 20 threads, combined with a boost clock of 5.30 GHz, appear to deliver consistently higher throughput than the AMD's 8 cores, 16 threads, and 5.00 GHz boost clock.

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 does not win any recorded benchmark. Its closest performance relative to Intel is in the PassMark single-thread test, where it trails by only 7%. It also comes within 13.7% in PassMark integer math. These results suggest that the AMD architecture is not without merit in specific lightly threaded workloads, but it cannot overcome the Intel processor's overall performance advantage.

For users who require the highest possible scores in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Intel part scores more than double the AMD part, the choice is unambiguous. The Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX delivers a 53.8% higher score. For users who need the best single-core Cinebench R23 performance, the Intel part leads by 65.8%. The data does not provide any recorded scenario where the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 is the recommended choice.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX wins in every benchmark category recorded in the database. Its largest advantages are in Cinebench R23 single-core (-65.8%), PassMark find prime numbers (-64.3%), and Cinebench R23 multi-core (-53.8%). These results indicate strengths in both single-threaded and heavily threaded workloads, as well as in integer-heavy calculation tasks.

The Intel processor also shows strong performance in memory-sensitive and data-processing tasks. It leads by 30.8% in random string sorting, 21.7% in data compression, and 49.1% in data encryption. The floating-point math advantage of 55% suggests robust SIMD and FPU performance. The physics test advantage of 38.1% indicates potential strength in simulation and physics-based applications.

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388, while losing every test, shows its most competitive results in specific areas. The PassMark single-thread score of 4,185 versus Intel's 4,500 (-7%) is the closest margin. The integer math score of 109,588 versus Intel's 126,954 (-13.7%) is also relatively close. These two tests represent the AMD processor's best-case scenarios, though they still result in losses.

In the broader context, the AMD processor's average benchmark score of 49,796 places it near the Intel Core 9 273PE (49,845) and AMD Ryzen 9 7900 (49,228). The Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX's average score of 63,173 places it near the Intel Core i7-13790F (63,080) and the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G (63,331). The Intel processor competes with a higher performance tier of CPUs, while the AMD processor competes with a lower tier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX has an average benchmark score of 63,173, while the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 has an average score of 49,796.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest gap is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX scores 5,737 versus the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388's 1,960, a -65.8% delta for AMD.

Q: In which benchmark does the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 come closest to the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX?

A: In the PassMark single-thread test, the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 scores 4,185 versus the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX's 4,500, a delta of only -7%.

Q: How do the two processors compare in multi-threaded performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX leads in Cinebench R23 multi-core with 40,642 versus 18,759 (-53.8%) and in PassMark multithread with 47,985 versus 33,486 (-30.2%).

Q: What are the nearest rivals for each processor based on average score?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388's nearest rivals are the Intel Core 9 273PE (49,845, -0.1%) and the AMD Ryzen 9 7900 (49,228, 1.2%). The Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX's nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G (63,331, -0.2%) and the Intel Core i7-13790F (63,080, 0.1%).

Q: What percentile ranking does each processor hold?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 is in the 90th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX is in the 93rd percentile.

Architecture Differences

The two processors use fundamentally different architectures. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 is based on Zen 5 architecture with the codename Strix Halo. It is part of the Ryzen AI Max generation and is fabricated on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX uses the Arrow Lake architecture with the codename Arrow Lake-HX. It is part of the Core Ultra Series 2 and is fabricated on a 3 nm process at TSMC.

The AMD processor has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel processor has 20 cores and 20 threads. The Intel processor does not support simultaneous multithreading, which is why its thread count equals its core count. The AMD processor has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Intel processor has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz.

Cache hierarchies 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 30 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel processor's larger per-core L1 and L2 caches may contribute to its single-thread performance advantage.

The AMD processor uses a 4 nm process with a die size listed as 2x 70.6 mm². The Intel processor uses a 3 nm process with a die size of 243 mm² and 17,800 million transistors. The Intel processor's die size and transistor count are explicitly recorded, while the AMD processor's transistor count is not listed in the database.

The AMD processor supports LPDDR5X memory with a quad-channel bus and 256.0 GB/s memory bandwidth. It also supports ECC memory. The Intel processor supports DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus and 102.4 GB/s memory bandwidth. It does not support ECC memory. The AMD processor's memory bandwidth is more than double that of the Intel processor, which may be relevant for memory-intensive workloads, though the recorded benchmarks do not show an AMD advantage.

For PCIe, the AMD processor uses Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Intel processor uses Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The Intel processor's newer PCIe standard and higher lane count provide more expansion capability.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The AMD processor uses the Radeon 8060S, while the Intel processor uses the Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. Both are integrated solutions, but the database does not include separate graphics benchmarks.

The AMD processor is not multiplier unlocked, while the Intel processor is multiplier unlocked. The AMD processor uses AMD Socket FP11, while the Intel processor uses Intel BGA 2114.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 | Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX |

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

| Cores | 8 | 20 |

| Threads | 16 | 20 |

| Base Clock | 3.60 GHz | 2.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 5.30 GHz |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | TSMC |

| Die Size | 2x 70.6 mm² | 243 mm² |

| Transistors | Not listed | 17,800 million |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 3 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 32 MB (shared) | 30 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | LPDDR5X | DDR5 |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 256.0 GB/s | 102.4 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 8060S | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP11 | Intel BGA 2114 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part Number | 100-000001980 | SRVFH |

| Release Date | 2026-01-05 | 2025-01-12 |

Both processors share a 55 W TDP and are listed as Active in production status. Both target the Mobile market segment. The Intel processor was released earlier, with a release date of 2025-01-12, while the AMD processor has a release date of 2026-01-05. Neither processor has a launch MSRP recorded in the database.