AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 vs Intel Core 7 253PQE Comparison

The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 and Intel Core 7 253PQE are two highly competitive parts, both landing in the 91st percentile of all CPUs tested. Their average benchmark scores are nearly identical, with the AMD chip at 56273 and the Intel chip at 55919, a difference of just 0.6%. However, a closer look at the head-to-head results reveals that these processors achieve their similar overall scores through very different performance profiles. The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 wins 10 of the 17 benchmark comparisons, while the Intel Core 7 253PQE takes 7. This split suggests that your specific workload will be the deciding factor between the two.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the benchmark data is the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390’s dominance in Cinebench tests. Across all six Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 runs, the AMD part wins by a nearly identical margin of 14.9% to 15%. In the multicore tests, the Ryzen AI Max 390 scores 3635 in R15, 15146 in R20, and 36064 in R23, compared to Intel’s 3163, 13183, and 31390, respectively. The single-core results tell the same story, with the AMD chip hitting 513 in R15, 2138 in R20, and 5091 in R23, while Intel manages 446, 1861, and 4431. This consistent ~15% advantage indicates a fundamental efficiency or architectural edge in these rendering workloads.

The Passmark suite paints a more nuanced picture. The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 posts a significant win in `passmark_extended_instructions`, scoring 38716 against Intel's 32390, a 19.5% advantage. The largest single win for AMD is in `passmark_find_prime_numbers`, where it scores 316 versus Intel’s 206, a massive 53.4% lead. AMD also wins `passmark_integer_math` (146519 vs 137795, a 6.3% edge) and narrowly takes `passmark_multithread` (41737 vs 41656, a 0.2% margin).

The Intel Core 7 253PQE, however, has its own strongholds. It wins `passmark_single_thread` with a score of 4389 versus AMD’s 4028, an 8.2% advantage. This is a critical victory, as single-thread performance is often the best predictor of everyday responsiveness. Intel also dominates `passmark_floating_point_math`, scoring 105279 against AMD’s 90594, a 13.9% lead. The Intel chip takes the remaining wins in `passmark_data_encryption` (25515 vs 25097, a 1.6% edge), `passmark_physics` (2970 vs 2761, a 7% lead), and `passmark_random_string_sorting` (54222 vs 53113, a 2% edge). Interestingly, in `passmark_data_compression`, the two are functionally tied, with Intel at 487335 and AMD at 487145.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs are built on fundamentally different designs and manufacturing processes. The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 uses the Zen 5 architecture on a 4 nm process from TSMC, under the codename "Strix Halo." It features 12 cores and 24 threads, with a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. Its cache layout includes 80 KB of L1 and 1 MB of L2 per core, plus a substantial 64 MB of shared L3 cache. The chip is designed for the mobile segment, fitting into the AMD Socket FP11.

The Intel Core 7 253PQE, codenamed "Bartlett Lake," is built on a 10 nm process at Intel’s own foundry. It has 10 cores and 20 threads, with a higher base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.70 GHz. Its cache structure uses the same 80 KB L1 per core, but doubles the L2 to 2 MB per core, while its shared L3 cache is smaller at 33 MB. This part is a desktop processor, fitting the Intel Socket 1700. The process node difference is significant: the 4 nm AMD part has a clear manufacturing advantage over the 10 nm Intel part, which may explain the AMD’s efficiency in multicore tasks.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 is the clear choice for heavily threaded, compute-intensive workloads. Its 14.9% lead in all Cinebench tests makes it the superior option for 3D rendering, video encoding, and other tasks that scale with core count and cache. The 53.4% win in `find_prime_numbers` further underscores its strength in complex mathematical and cryptographic workloads. If your primary use case involves content creation, scientific computing, or any application that uses extended instruction sets (as evidenced by the 19.5% lead in that metric), the AMD chip is the stronger performer.

The Intel Core 7 253PQE wins in scenarios that favor higher clock speeds and lighter workloads. Its 8.2% lead in Passmark’s single-thread test suggests it will feel snappier in everyday applications, web browsing, and office productivity. The 13.9% lead in `floating_point_math` indicates a strong performance in tasks like 3D simulation, physics calculations, and some financial modeling. The wins in data encryption and random string sorting also suggest it handles certain data processing and security tasks faster. For a user who prioritizes responsiveness in general use and specific math-heavy applications, the Intel part has the edge.

Specification Differences

The most obvious difference is the core count: the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core 7 253PQE has 10 cores and 20 threads. Clock speeds differ, with Intel’s base clock of 3.50 GHz and boost clock of 5.70 GHz exceeding AMD’s 3.20 GHz and 5.00 GHz. The thermal design power (TDP) is a major separator, with the AMD part rated at 55 W and the Intel part at 125 W, reflecting the mobile versus desktop design targets.

Memory support and bandwidth are also distinct. The AMD chip uses LPDDR5X memory with a quad-channel bus, offering a memory bandwidth of 256.0 GB/s. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5, uses a dual-channel bus, and has a much lower memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. Both support ECC memory. For PCIe, the AMD chip uses Gen 4 with 16 lanes, while the Intel chip uses the newer Gen 5 standard with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics differ as well, with AMD featuring the Radeon 8050S and Intel the UHD Graphics 770. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $409. The AMD part has a smaller die size of 2x 70.6 mm², while the Intel die size is not listed.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-core rendering?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 is consistently faster in multi-core Cinebench tests, with a 14.9% lead in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore scores.

Q: Does the Intel Core 7 253PQE have any performance advantages?

A: Yes, the Intel chip wins in Passmark’s single-thread test by 8.2% (4389 vs 4028) and in floating-point math by 13.9% (105279 vs 90594).

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: They are very close. The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 has an average benchmark score of 56273, while the Intel Core 7 253PQE scores 55919, a difference of only 0.6% in AMD’s favor.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core 7 253PQE has 10 cores and 20 threads.

Q: Which processor has higher clock speeds?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PQE has higher clock speeds, with a base of 3.50 GHz and a boost of 5.70 GHz, compared to the AMD’s 3.20 GHz base and 5.00 GHz boost.

Q: Is there a difference in memory bandwidth?

A: Yes, a significant one. The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 supports quad-channel LPDDR5X with 256.0 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel chip uses dual-channel DDR4/DDR5 and has 89.6 GB/s bandwidth.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear, workload-dependent choice. The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 is the superior processor for demanding, multi-threaded professional workloads. Its consistent 14.9% advantage in all Cinebench tests and massive leads in extended instructions and prime number calculations make it the go-to for 3D rendering, video editing, and scientific compute tasks. The larger 64 MB L3 cache and higher memory bandwidth contribute to its strength in these areas. For users who spend their time in these applications, the AMD chip is the clear winner, offering substantial performance gains.

The Intel Core 7 253PQE is the better pick for users whose primary workloads are lighter and benefit from higher clock speeds. Its 8.2% win in single-threaded Passmark tests indicates a more responsive feel for everyday applications and gaming. The 13.9% lead in floating-point math makes it a strong option for physics simulations and certain types of engineering software. While its 125 W TDP is much higher than AMD’s 55 W, this reflects its desktop positioning. If your typical day involves general productivity, web-heavy tasks, and applications that are not highly parallelized, the Intel Core 7 253PQE’s single-core strength and higher boost clock of 5.70 GHz will serve you well. Both CPUs are competitive overall, but the nature of your work dictates which one is the better investment.