AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 vs Intel Core 7 350 Comparison

The benchmark data is unequivocal: the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 is in a completely different performance class than the Intel Core 7 350. Across 17 recorded head-to-head tests, the AMD processor claims 15 wins, with the Intel part managing only 2 narrow victories. The average benchmark score for the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 is 56273, placing it in the 91st percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel Core 7 350 averages 17779, which lands in the 71st percentile. This gap is not marginal; it represents a fundamental difference in capability, driven by disparate core counts, memory architectures, and process designs.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic separation occurs in multi-threaded workloads, where the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390's advantage is overwhelming. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the AMD part scores 36064 against the Intel Core 7 350's 8030, a delta of 349.1%. The margin remains enormous in Cinebench R20 multicore, with the AMD chip scoring 15146 versus 5373, a 181.9% difference. Cinebench R15 multicore shows a 198% lead for the AMD processor (3635 vs 1220). These results indicate that for rendering, video encoding, or any heavily parallel task, the Ryzen AI Max 390 delivers roughly 3.5 to 4.5 times the throughput of the Core 7 350.

Single-core performance tells a more nuanced story, though the AMD chip still holds a clear edge in most tests. In Cinebench R23 singlecore, the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 scores 5091 compared to the Intel Core 7 350's 2046, a 148.8% lead. Cinebench R20 singlecore shows a 182.1% advantage for AMD (2138 vs 758), and Cinebench R15 singlecore is 75.7% in favor of AMD (513 vs 292). However, the PassMark single-thread test is the one area where the Intel Core 7 350 wins, scoring 4100 against AMD's 4028, a slim 1.8% margin. This suggests that in lightly threaded, short-burst tasks that favor high single-core frequency, the Intel part is competitive, but it does not offset the massive multi-core deficit.

The PassMark suite reinforces the trend. In integer math, the AMD processor scores 146519 against Intel's 33734, a 334.3% difference. Data compression shows a 240.4% lead for AMD (487145 vs 143123). Floating-point math is 111.6% in favor of AMD (90594 vs 42809). The AMD chip also wins in extended instructions by 221.4% (38716 vs 12045), prime number finding by 195.3% (316 vs 107), and random string sorting by 208.1% (53113 vs 17238). The multithreaded PassMark score is 175.1% higher for AMD (41737 vs 15170), and data encryption shows a 129.6% advantage (25097 vs 10933). The only other Intel win is the duplicate PassMark single-thread test, which mirrors the 1.8% margin.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental architectural split explains the benchmark disparity. The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 uses a Zen 5 architecture on a 4 nm TSMC process, with a die size of 2x 70.6 mm². It is built on the Strix Halo codename and features 12 cores and 24 threads, allowing for simultaneous multithreading. The Intel Core 7 350, in contrast, uses the Wildcat Lake codename on Intel's 3 nm process and offers only 6 cores and 6 threads, with no hyperthreading. This 2x difference in core count, coupled with the thread advantage, is the primary driver of the multi-core results.

Cache allocation also diverges sharply. The AMD chip provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a substantial 64 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part has 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, but only 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The 64 MB L3 pool on the AMD processor is a significant asset for data-heavy workloads, while the Intel chip's smaller shared cache limits its ability to keep large datasets close to the cores.

Memory architecture is another decisive factor. The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 supports LPDDR5X over a quad-channel memory bus, delivering a memory bandwidth of 256.0 GB/s. It also supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 7 350 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X but over a single-channel bus, capping bandwidth at 59.7 GB/s, and it lacks ECC support. The 4.3x difference in theoretical memory bandwidth is critical for workloads that are memory-bound, such as data compression and large-scale computation.

Clock speeds and power targets further differentiate the two. The AMD processor has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, with a TDP of 55 watts. The Intel part has a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz, with a TDP of only 15 watts. The higher base clock on the AMD chip contributes to its sustained performance, while the lower TDP of the Intel part suggests a design focused on energy efficiency rather than peak throughput. The Intel chip uses a BGA 1516 socket, while the AMD chip uses AMD Socket FP11, and both offer PCIe Gen 4 connectivity, though the AMD part has 16 lanes versus Intel's 6 lanes.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 is dramatically faster. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 36064 versus the Intel Core 7 350's 8030, a 349.1% advantage. The gap is consistent across all multi-threaded tests, including PassMark multithread (41737 vs 15170) and integer math (146519 vs 33734).

Q: Does the Intel Core 7 350 win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, the Intel Core 7 350 wins the PassMark single-thread test with a score of 4100 against AMD's 4028, a 1.8% margin. This is the only meaningful category where it leads, and it is duplicated in the singlethread test.

Q: How do the memory systems compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 uses a quad-channel LPDDR5X bus with 256.0 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support. The Intel Core 7 350 uses a single-channel DDR5/LPDDR5X bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC support.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core 7 350 has 6 cores and 6 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 has a higher boost clock at 5.00 GHz, while the Intel Core 7 350 boosts to 4.80 GHz.

Q: How does the cache configuration differ?

A: The AMD chip offers 64 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel chip has only 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip has larger per-core L1 and L2 caches, but the AMD chip's total cache pool is far larger.

The Verdict

The data supports only one conclusion for performance-sensitive applications: the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 is the superior processor. It wins 15 of 17 head-to-head tests, with an average benchmark score of 56273 that places it in the 91st percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i9-14900HX and AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX, which shows the performance tier it occupies. The Intel Core 7 350, with an average score of 17779 and a 71st percentile ranking, sits closer to parts like the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT and Intel Core 5 120U. For users who need maximum compute throughput, the AMD processor is the clear choice.

The Intel Core 7 350 is not without merit, but its strengths are narrow. Its single-thread PassMark victory (4100 vs 4028) indicates that it can handle basic, lightly threaded tasks with slightly better responsiveness. Its 15-watt TDP, compared to AMD's 55 watts, suggests it is designed for fanless or ultra-portable systems where power draw is the primary constraint. However, the performance penalty is severe: in Cinebench R23 multicore, the AMD chip is 349.1% faster, and in integer math it is 334.3% faster. The Intel part is also limited by its single-channel memory bus, which caps bandwidth at 59.7 GB/s, a fraction of AMD's 256.0 GB/s.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category. The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 uses a Zen 5 architecture on a 4 nm TSMC process, while the Intel Core 7 350 uses the Wildcat Lake codename on Intel's 3 nm process. Core counts are 12 vs 6, and thread counts are 24 vs 6. Base clocks are 3.20 GHz vs 1.50 GHz, and boost clocks are 5.00 GHz vs 4.80 GHz. TDP is 55 watts vs 15 watts.

Cache configurations are notably different: the AMD chip has 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 64 MB shared L3. The Intel chip has 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3. Memory support differs as well: the AMD processor uses LPDDR5X over a quad-channel bus with 256.0 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support, while the Intel processor uses DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC. PCIe lanes are 16 on the AMD side versus 6 on the Intel side. The integrated graphics are Radeon 8050S on the AMD chip and Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) on the Intel chip. Sockets are AMD Socket FP11 versus Intel BGA 1516, and release dates are 2025-01-05 for AMD and 2026-04-15 for Intel.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 is the definitive winner for multi-threaded productivity, content creation, and compute-heavy tasks. Its 349.1% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore and 334.3% lead in integer math make it the only rational choice for rendering, compiling, data analysis, or any workload that scales across cores. The 256.0 GB/s memory bandwidth and 64 MB L3 cache provide the data throughput needed for large datasets and complex simulations. The 55-watt TDP, while higher than the Intel part, is a reasonable trade for the performance on offer.

The Intel Core 7 350 has a much narrower scope of victory. Its 1.8% lead in PassMark single-thread performance is the only benchmark win, which could translate to marginally snappier response in simple, single-threaded applications like text editors or basic web browsing. Its 15-watt TDP and 4.80 GHz boost clock suggest a design for ultra-low-power devices where battery life is paramount. The 6 MB L3 cache and 59.7 GB/s memory bandwidth are sufficient for light tasks, but the 6-core, 6-thread configuration struggles under any parallel load. The data indicates that the Intel part is a low-power efficiency option, while the AMD part is a high-performance compute platform.