AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 vs Intel Core 9 273PE Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data clearly separates these two processors. The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 wins 15 of the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core 9 273PE takes only 2. The AMD part leads in every Cinebench test by a consistent 15.3% margin, covering both single-core and multi-core workloads. The Intel processor counters with wins in floating-point math and physics tests, where its scores are 16% and 11.5% higher respectively.

The average benchmark score places the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 at 56273, against 49845 for the Intel Core 9 273PE. That is a 12.9% gap in overall performance. The database percentile rankings put the AMD chip at 91, one point above the Intel chip at 90. For users whose workloads align with the majority of the tested suite, particularly rendering, compression, and integer-heavy tasks, the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 is the stronger choice. The Intel Core 9 273PE serves specific niches where floating-point throughput and physics simulation take priority.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 uses the Zen 5 architecture with the Strix Halo codename, built on a 4 nm process from TSMC. The Intel Core 9 273PE uses the Bartlett Lake codename, produced on a 10 nm process at Intel. Both chips offer 12 cores and 24 threads, so thread counts match exactly.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. Both allocate 80 KB of L1 cache per core, but L2 cache is 1 MB per core on the AMD chip versus 2 MB per core on the Intel chip. The L3 cache tells a different story: the AMD processor has 64 MB shared, while the Intel processor has 36 MB shared. The AMD part carries a die size of 2x 70.6 mm², while the Intel die size is not recorded in the database.

Memory architecture separates the two clearly. The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 supports LPDDR5X over a quad-channel bus, delivering 256.0 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The Intel Core 9 273PE supports DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel bus, delivering 89.6 GB/s. Both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity also differs: the AMD chip uses Gen 4 with 16 CPU lanes, while the Intel chip uses Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes.

The integrated graphics units are distinct. AMD pairs the Ryzen AI Max 390 with the Radeon 8050S, while Intel uses UHD Graphics 730. The AMD processor targets the mobile segment with a 55 W TDP, and the Intel processor is a desktop part rated at 65 W TDP. Sockets differ accordingly: AMD Socket FP11 for the mobile chip, Intel Socket 1700 for the desktop chip. The release dates sit apart, with AMD launching on 2025-01-05 and Intel on 2026-03-08.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results show a uniform pattern. Across all six Cinebench tests, the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 leads by exactly 15.3%. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD chip scores 3635 against 3153. Single-core R15 shows 513 versus 445. R20 multi-core reaches 15146 versus 13140, and R20 single-core is 2138 versus 1855. R23 multi-core records 36064 versus 31288, while R23 single-core is 5091 versus 4417. The consistent delta suggests the AMD architecture delivers a steady advantage in rendering workloads regardless of the Cinebench version.

PassMark tests reveal a wider spread of outcomes. The largest AMD win comes in extended instructions, where the Ryzen AI Max 390 scores 38716 against 24630, a 57.2% advantage. Prime number finding shows a 55.7% gap, with 316 versus 203. Data compression gives the AMD chip a 20% lead, 487145 versus 405885. Random string sorting is 17.8% faster on the AMD side, 53113 versus 45098. Multi-thread performance sits 13.4% higher at 41737 versus 36810, and data encryption is 10.5% ahead at 25097 versus 22719. Single-thread scores favor AMD by 10.4%, 4028 versus 3650. Integer math shows a narrower 5.1% lead, 146519 versus 139410.

The Intel Core 9 273PE secures two wins. Floating-point math is the clearest victory: the Intel chip scores 107884 against 90594, a 16% margin. Physics tests go to Intel at 3120 versus 2761, an 11.5% lead. These two wins indicate the Intel architecture handles math-heavy and simulation workloads with greater efficiency, despite losing the broader benchmark suite.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE boosts to 5.70 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 boosts to 5.00 GHz. Base clocks also differ: 2.30 GHz for Intel versus 3.20 GHz for AMD.

Q: How much memory bandwidth does each processor provide?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 delivers 256.0 GB/s through a quad-channel LPDDR5X bus. The Intel Core 9 273PE delivers 89.6 GB/s through a dual-channel bus supporting DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the database records ECC memory support as true for both the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 and the Intel Core 9 273PE.

Q: What are the market segments for these two chips?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 is a mobile processor using AMD Socket FP11 with a 55 W TDP. The Intel Core 9 273PE is a desktop processor using Intel Socket 1700 with a 65 W TDP.

Q: Which chip wins in physics performance?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE wins the PassMark physics test with a score of 3120, compared to 2761 for the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390, a margin of 11.5%.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 leads in the PassMark single-thread test with 4028 versus 3650, a 10.4% advantage. The Cinebench R23 single-core test also favors AMD at 5091 versus 4417, a 15.3% margin.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 dominates the majority of recorded workloads. Rendering performance is its strongest area, with every Cinebench test showing a 15.3% lead. Content creation tasks that rely on compression benefit from a 20% advantage. Security and encryption workloads run 10.5% faster on the AMD chip. String sorting, a common data-processing operation, is 17.8% faster. Multi-threaded productivity is 13.4% ahead, and integer math holds a 5.1% edge. Extended instruction workloads show the biggest gap at 57.2%, meaning software that leverages modern instruction sets will see substantial gains on the AMD platform. Prime number calculations run 55.7% faster, which matters for cryptographic and mathematical applications.

The Intel Core 9 273PE claims two specific territories. Floating-point math is its headline win, delivering 16% higher scores. This benefits scientific computing, financial modeling, and any workload dominated by floating-point operations. Physics simulation is the other Intel victory, with an 11.5% margin. This suggests the Intel chip handles game physics, engineering simulation, and similar computational physics tasks more efficiently. The desktop form factor and PCIe Gen 5 support also position the Intel chip for systems requiring the latest expansion bus, though the database does not provide benchmark data for PCIe-dependent workloads.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification category. The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 uses the Zen 5 architecture with the Strix Halo codename, while the Intel Core 9 273PE uses the Bartlett Lake codename with no architecture field recorded. Process nodes are 4 nm for AMD at TSMC versus 10 nm for Intel. Foundries are TSMC and Intel respectively. Die size for AMD is 2x 70.6 mm², while Intel's die size is not recorded.

Core and thread counts match at 12 cores and 24 threads. Base clock favors AMD at 3.20 GHz versus 2.30 GHz, but boost clock favors Intel at 5.70 GHz versus 5.00 GHz. TDP differs: 55 W for AMD, 65 W for Intel. Cache configurations diverge with L2 at 1 MB per core for AMD versus 2 MB per core for Intel, and L3 at 64 MB shared for AMD versus 36 MB shared for Intel. L1 cache is identical at 80 KB per core.

Memory support separates the chips by generation and bandwidth. AMD uses LPDDR5X with a quad-channel bus and 256.0 GB/s bandwidth. Intel uses DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. Both support ECC. PCIe generation differs: Gen 4 for AMD, Gen 5 for Intel, both with 16 CPU-only lanes. Integrated graphics are Radeon 8050S for AMD and UHD Graphics 730 for Intel. Market segments are mobile for AMD and desktop for Intel. Sockets are AMD Socket FP11 and Intel Socket 1700. Release dates are 2025-01-05 for AMD and 2026-03-08 for Intel. The Intel chip has a launch MSRP of $549, while the AMD chip has no recorded MSRP. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. Part numbers are 100-000001423 for AMD and SA4QD for Intel.