AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 vs Intel Core 5 211E Comparison

FAQ

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 records an average benchmark score of 56273, while the Intel Core 5 211E records 37829. The AMD part sits at the 91st percentile of all CPUs, compared to the 86th percentile for the Intel part.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 leads in Cinebench R23 single-core with a score of 5091 versus 2878 for the Intel Core 5 211E, a 76.9% advantage. In PassMark single-thread, the gap narrows dramatically: 4028 versus 4006, a 0.5% difference.

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 wins all multi-core tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 36064 versus 20389 for the Intel Core 5 211E, a 76.9% lead. PassMark multithread shows 41737 versus 23833, a 75.1% advantage.

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

A: The biggest delta is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 scores 316 versus 43 for the Intel Core 5 211E, a 634.9% difference. PassMark physics also shows a large gap at 293.3% (2761 versus 702).

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 supports LPDDR5X with a quad-channel memory bus and 256.0 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core 5 211E supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus and 76.8 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: What are the integrated graphics options?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 uses a Radeon 8050S, while the Intel Core 5 211E uses UHD Graphics 730. Both processors support ECC memory.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 and Intel Core 5 211E come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD part uses Zen 5 architecture under the Strix Halo codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Intel part uses Bartlett Lake, built on a 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry. This process difference likely contributes to the AMD part's higher efficiency and performance density.

Core counts differ significantly. The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core 5 211E has 10 cores and 16 threads. The AMD part also has a higher base clock at 3.20 GHz versus 2.70 GHz, and a higher boost clock at 5.00 GHz versus 4.90 GHz.

Cache hierarchies diverge after L1. Both use 80 KB of L1 per core, but the AMD part uses 1 MB of L2 per core while the Intel part uses 2 MB per core. The shared L3 cache is where AMD takes a decisive lead: 64 MB versus 20 MB. This larger L3 cache likely helps the AMD part in workloads that benefit from large working sets.

Memory architecture also differs. The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 uses a quad-channel LPDDR5X interface delivering 256.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel Core 5 211E uses a dual-channel DDR4/DDR5 interface delivering 76.8 GB/s. This bandwidth difference is substantial and shows up in data-heavy benchmarks.

PCIe support differs as well. The AMD part provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel part provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Intel part's newer PCIe standard offers higher potential transfer rates, though the AMD part's memory bandwidth advantage may matter more for CPU-bound tasks.

The die size difference is notable: the AMD part uses 2x 70.6 mm² chiplets, while the Intel part uses a monolithic 257 mm² die. The AMD approach allows the 4 nm process to be used for compute chiplets, potentially improving yields and thermal characteristics.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 winning all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with no wins for the Intel Core 5 211E. The margin varies considerably by workload type.

Cinebench results show a consistent pattern. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD part scores 3635 versus 2055, a 76.9% lead. Single-core R15 shows 513 versus 289, a 77.5% advantage. R20 multi-core shows 15146 versus 8563, a 76.9% gap, and R20 single-core shows 2138 versus 1208, a 77% lead. R23 multi-core shows 36064 versus 20389, again 76.9%, while R23 single-core shows 5091 versus 2878, again 76.9%. The consistency across Cinebench versions suggests a structural advantage rather than workload-specific behavior.

PassMark tests reveal a more varied picture. Data compression shows 487145 versus 346757, a 40.5% lead. Data encryption shows 25097 versus 17938, a 39.9% gap. Extended instructions show 38716 versus 21592, a 79.3% advantage. Find prime numbers shows the largest gap at 634.9% (316 versus 43), indicating a massive difference in integer-heavy prime calculation. Floating point math shows 90594 versus 66402, a 36.4% lead. Integer math shows 146519 versus 88117, a 66.3% advantage.

Multithreaded and physics workloads show large gaps. PassMark multithread shows 41737 versus 23833, a 75.1% lead. PassMark physics shows 2761 versus 702, a 293.3% gap. Random string sorting shows 53113 versus 34308, a 54.8% advantage.

The closest result is PassMark single-thread: 4028 versus 4006, a 0.5% difference. This suggests that for lightly threaded, simple integer tasks, the two processors are nearly equivalent, despite the AMD part's higher clock speed and newer architecture.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category. Core and thread counts differ: 12 cores and 24 threads for AMD versus 10 cores and 16 threads for Intel. Base clocks differ at 3.20 GHz versus 2.70 GHz. Boost clocks differ at 5.00 GHz versus 4.90 GHz.

TDP differs: the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 has a 55 W TDP, while the Intel Core 5 211E has a 65 W TDP. This is notable because the AMD part delivers higher performance at a lower thermal envelope.

Sockets differ: AMD Socket FP11 versus Intel Socket 1700. The AMD part targets the mobile market segment, while the Intel part targets desktop.

Process nodes differ: 4 nm at TSMC for AMD versus 10 nm at Intel for the Intel part. Die size differs: 2x 70.6 mm² for AMD versus 257 mm² for Intel.

Cache differs: L2 is 1 MB per core for AMD versus 2 MB per core for Intel. L3 is 64 MB shared for AMD versus 20 MB shared for Intel.

Memory support differs: LPDDR5X for AMD versus DDR4 and DDR5 for Intel. Memory bus differs: quad-channel for AMD versus dual-channel for Intel. Memory bandwidth differs: 256.0 GB/s for AMD versus 76.8 GB/s for Intel.

PCIe differs: Gen 4 with 16 lanes for AMD versus Gen 5 with 16 lanes for Intel. Integrated graphics differ: Radeon 8050S for AMD versus UHD Graphics 730 for Intel.

Release dates differ by one week: 2025-01-05 for AMD versus 2025-01-12 for Intel. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $221.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 wins every recorded benchmark, so the analysis focuses on the magnitude and type of its advantages. The largest wins come in prime number calculation (634.9% lead) and physics simulation (293.3% lead). These results suggest the AMD part is particularly strong in computational mathematics and physics-based workloads.

The AMD part also shows substantial leads in extended instructions (79.3%), Cinebench multi-core and single-core tests (76.9% to 77.5%), and multithreaded tasks (75.1%). These results indicate strong performance in rendering, content creation, and parallel processing workloads.

The smallest win is in PassMark single-thread (0.5%), where the Intel Core 5 211E nearly matches the AMD part. This suggests that for simple, single-threaded integer tasks, the two processors are functionally equivalent.

The Intel Core 5 211E does not win any benchmarks, but its specifications suggest certain use cases where it may be more appropriate. It uses a desktop socket (Intel Socket 1700) and supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, which may offer more flexibility for system builders. Its PCIe Gen 5 support may benefit storage and graphics configurations that require newer interfaces.

The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 uses a mobile socket (AMD Socket FP11) and LPDDR5X memory, which suggests it is designed for compact or portable systems. Its lower TDP of 55 W versus 65 W may allow for smaller cooling solutions.

The Verdict

The recorded data shows a clear performance hierarchy. The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 outperforms the Intel Core 5 211E in every benchmark category, with an average benchmark score of 56273 versus 37829. The 91st percentile versus 86th percentile ranking confirms this gap.

For workloads that involve rendering, multi-threaded processing, physics simulation, or data encryption, the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 is the stronger choice. Its 64 MB L3 cache and quad-channel memory bandwidth likely drive these advantages. The 293.3% lead in physics and 634.9% lead in prime number calculation are particularly striking.

For simple single-threaded tasks, the Intel Core 5 211E is competitive, showing only a 0.5% deficit in PassMark single-thread. However, this is the only area of near-parity, and it does not translate into wins in any other test.

The Intel Core 5 211E offers a desktop socket, DDR4 and DDR5 support, and PCIe Gen 5. These features may make it suitable for systems where platform compatibility or memory flexibility are priorities. Its launch MSRP is $221.

The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 offers higher performance at a lower TDP (55 W versus 65 W), which is unusual and indicates better performance per watt. The data suggests that users requiring maximum CPU performance should favor the AMD part, while those requiring a desktop platform with flexible memory options may consider the Intel part, accepting a substantial performance deficit.