AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 vs Intel Core i9-14900 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data splits this comparison into two distinct profiles. The Intel Core i9-14900 wins 11 of the 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 takes six. The margins tell a more nuanced story than the win count alone.

Intel's largest victory comes in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where it scores 4793 against AMD's 3635, a 31.9% advantage. That result aligns with the core count disparity: Intel fields 24 cores and 32 threads, while AMD offers 12 cores and 24 threads. The same pattern appears in PassMark floating point math, with Intel at 120262 versus 90594, a 32.7% lead, and in data encryption, where Intel posts 33540 against 25097, a 33.6% margin. These are substantial, workload-specific wins that point to sustained throughput in parallel integer and floating-point work.

The R20 multi-core result narrows considerably. Intel scores 15910, AMD scores 15146, a 5% difference. The R23 multi-core test flips the result entirely: AMD scores 36064, Intel scores 31070, giving AMD a 13.8% lead. That reversal is notable because both are Cinebench multi-threaded workloads, yet the newer R23 version favors AMD's architecture significantly. The gap between the two R20 and R23 outcomes suggests the AMD part scales better with the specific instruction mix and scheduling behavior in R23, despite having half the physical cores.

AMD's most decisive win is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 5091 versus Intel's 2212, a 56.6% margin. That is the largest delta in the entire comparison. The R15 single-core test shows a similar trend: AMD scores 513, Intel scores 315, a 38.6% lead. However, the R20 single-core test breaks the pattern: Intel scores 2245, AMD scores 2138, giving Intel a 5% edge. The inconsistency across Cinebench generations is striking. In R15 and R23, AMD dominates single-threaded performance; in R20, Intel wins narrowly. The PassMark single-thread suite also favors Intel, with scores of 4323 versus 4028, a 7.3% margin.

Other AMD wins include PassMark extended instructions, 38716 versus 30624, a 20.9% lead, and PassMark find prime numbers, 316 versus 188, a 40.5% margin. AMD also takes PassMark physics, 2761 versus 2486, a 10% advantage. These results indicate that AMD's Zen 5 cores handle certain instruction-level workloads, particularly prime number generation and extended instruction sets, with notably higher efficiency per thread.

Intel counters in PassMark integer math, 175010 versus 146519, a 19.4% lead, and in random string sorting, 61060 versus 53113, a 15% margin. Data compression also favors Intel: 550271 versus 487145, a 13% difference. The overall PassMark multi-thread score goes to Intel, 44578 versus 41737, a 6.8% edge, which aligns with the higher core count.

The average benchmark scores place the two parts close together in the database's aggregate ranking. Intel's average benchmark score is 58115, AMD's is 56273. Intel sits at the 92nd percentile of all CPUs, AMD at the 91st. Intel's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon Platinum 8260M with an average score of 58323, a 0.4% delta, and the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D at 58386, a 0.5% delta. AMD's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 470 at 56306, a 0.1% delta, and the Intel Core i9-14900HX at 56004, a 0.5% delta. The aggregate data shows these are closely matched processors overall, with the differences concentrated in specific workload categories.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear division of use cases. For multi-threaded rendering in Cinebench R15, data compression, encryption, floating-point math, integer math, and random string sorting, the Intel Core i9-14900 is the stronger choice. It wins 11 head-to-head comparisons and posts double-digit margins in several of those categories. Users running R15 multi-core workloads, PassMark floating point math, data encryption, or integer math should expect Intel to lead by margins between 19.4% and 33.6%.

For single-core performance in Cinebench R23 specifically, extended instruction workloads, prime number finding, and physics simulation, the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 is the better option. The R23 single-core margin of 56.6% is the largest advantage either processor achieves in any test. The R23 multi-core result, where AMD leads by 13.8%, is also significant. Anyone whose primary workload is Cinebench R23, either single or multi-threaded, should favor AMD based on these measurements.

The aggregate percentile ranking is nearly identical, 92nd versus 91st, and the average benchmark scores are within 3.3% of each other. The database does not show either part as a categorical winner. Instead, the choice depends on workload mix. Intel leads in raw thread count throughput and several PassMark sub-tests. AMD leads in per-core efficiency in the newest Cinebench versions and in instruction-heavy workloads. The Intel Core i9-14900 has a launch MSRP of $549; the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 has no recorded launch MSRP.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design lineages. The Intel Core i9-14900 uses the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-R refresh, built on Intel's 10 nm process node. Intel manufactures the chip at its own foundry. The die size is listed at 257 mm². The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 uses the Zen 5 architecture under the Strix Halo codename, fabricated by TSMC on a 4 nm process node. AMD's design uses two dies, each at 70.6 mm², for a combined die area of approximately 141.2 mm². The process node advantage for AMD is substantial: 4 nm versus 10 nm, which explains some of the efficiency differences in the benchmark data.

The core configurations differ sharply. Intel provides 24 cores and 32 threads, a hybrid arrangement typical of Raptor Lake. AMD provides 12 cores and 24 threads, relying on simultaneous multithreading to reach 24 threads from 12 physical cores. Both parts have 80 KB of L1 cache per core. The L2 cache differs: Intel has 2 MB per core, AMD has 1 MB per core. The L3 cache is where AMD takes a clear lead: 64 MB shared versus Intel's 36 MB shared. That larger L3 pool likely contributes to AMD's strong Cinebench R23 single-core result, as more working set can remain on-die.

Memory architecture also diverges. Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus. AMD supports LPDDR5X over a quad-channel bus, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 256.0 GB/s. The memory type and channel count reflect their target segments: Intel is a desktop part on Socket 1700, AMD is a mobile part on Socket FP11. Both support ECC memory. PCIe generation differs as well: Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, AMD provides Gen 4 with 16 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics also differ, with Intel using UHD Graphics 770 and AMD using Radeon 8050S.

The market segments confirm the positioning. Intel is a desktop processor, released on 2024-01-07. AMD is a mobile processor, released on 2025-01-05. Neither has an unlocked multiplier, so both are locked parts. The production status for both is active.

Specification Differences

Several specification fields differentiate the two processors directly. The core count differs: Intel has 24 cores, AMD has 12. Thread counts follow: Intel has 32, AMD has 24. Base clocks are 2.00 GHz for Intel and 3.20 GHz for AMD. Boost clocks are 5.80 GHz for Intel and 5.00 GHz for AMD. The TDP values differ: Intel is rated at 65, AMD at 55. The process node is 10 nm for Intel and 4 nm for AMD. The foundry is Intel for the Core i9-14900 and TSMC for the Ryzen AI Max 390.

Die size differs significantly, with Intel at 257 mm² and AMD at two dies of 70.6 mm² each. L2 cache per core is 2 MB for Intel and 1 MB for AMD. L3 cache is 36 MB shared for Intel and 64 MB shared for AMD. Memory support differs: Intel accepts DDR4 and DDR5, AMD accepts LPDDR5X. Memory bus width differs: dual-channel for Intel, quad-channel for AMD. Memory bandwidth is not recorded for Intel but is 256.0 GB/s for AMD. PCIe generation is Gen 5 for Intel and Gen 4 for AMD, with both providing 16 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics differ: UHD Graphics 770 versus Radeon 8050S. The socket types differ: Intel Socket 1700 versus AMD Socket FP11. The market segment differs: desktop for Intel, mobile for AMD. The release dates differ: 2024-01-07 for Intel, 2025-01-05 for AMD. The launch MSRP is $549 for Intel and not recorded for AMD. The part numbers differ: SRN3V for Intel, 100-000001423 for AMD.

The base clock and boost clock relationship is worth noting. AMD starts at a higher base clock of 3.20 GHz versus Intel's 2.00 GHz, but Intel boosts higher at 5.80 GHz versus AMD's 5.00 GHz. Despite the lower boost clock, AMD's R23 single-core score of 5091 dwarfs Intel's 2212. Clock speed alone does not explain the benchmark gap, which points to architectural efficiency, cache size, and the 4 nm process node as contributing factors.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900 has 24 cores and 32 threads. The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 has 12 cores and 24 threads.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 wins, scoring 36064 against Intel's 31070, a 13.8% advantage.

Q: What is the largest single benchmark margin in the comparison?

A: The largest margin is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where AMD scores 5091 against Intel's 2212, a 56.6% lead.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900 has a boost clock of 5.80 GHz. The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz.

Q: How do the aggregate benchmark scores compare?

A: Intel has an average benchmark score of 58115, placing it in the 92nd percentile of all CPUs. AMD has an average score of 56273, placing it in the 91st percentile.

Q: Which processor has the larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 has 64 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core i9-14900 has 36 MB of shared L3 cache.