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

The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 and Intel Core i9-14900HX are two very different approaches to high-performance mobile computing, and the benchmark data shows a clear split between them. The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 wins decisively in single-threaded and certain multi-threaded workloads, while the Intel Core i9-14900HX takes the majority of the head-to-head tests, particularly in integer-heavy and memory-latency-sensitive tasks. The Ryzen AI Max 390’s 133.4% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core is the single largest margin in the entire comparison, whereas the Intel chip counters with a 20.5% win in Cinebench R15 multi-core. The overall average benchmark scores are nearly identical, with the AMD part at 56273 and the Intel part at 56004, a difference of only 0.5% in favor of AMD. This is a matchup where the choice depends entirely on workload type, not on overall performance class.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear verdict for specific user profiles. For anyone running heavily threaded applications that are optimized for modern instruction sets, the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 is the stronger pick. Its 20% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core (36064 vs 30055) and its 23.9% advantage in PassMark extended instructions (38716 vs 31247) suggest it handles complex, modern workloads more efficiently. The 63.7% lead in PassMark find prime numbers (316 vs 193) further indicates a strong mathematical throughput advantage. Conversely, the Intel Core i9-14900HX is the better choice for legacy multi-threaded tests and general integer performance. It wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 20.5% (4574 vs 3635) and takes PassMark integer math by 6.9% (157375 vs 146519). The Intel chip also leads in data compression (539965 vs 487145) and encryption (32619 vs 25097), making it the more versatile option for everyday productivity and data-heavy tasks.

The benchmark results indicate that the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 is the superior choice for single-threaded speed, but the Intel Core i9-14900HX is the more consistent all-around performer. The Intel chip wins 11 of the 17 head-to-head tests, while the AMD wins 6. However, the magnitude of the AMD wins is often larger, particularly in the modern Cinebench R23 tests. The Intel i9-14900HX is the safer default for mixed workloads, but the Ryzen AI Max 390 is the specialist that excels in specific, modern, and mathematically intensive scenarios. The percentile rank for both is identical at 91, and their nearest rivals are nearly the same, reinforcing that they are in the same performance tier, but with very different strengths.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures. The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 uses the Zen 5 architecture on a 4 nm TSMC process, while the Intel Core i9-14900HX uses the Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm Intel process. This node difference is significant, with the AMD part being on a much more advanced process node. The core counts differ drastically: the AMD has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel has 24 cores and 32 threads. This is a major structural difference, yet the AMD chip still manages to win several multi-threaded tests, highlighting the efficiency of the Zen 5 cores.

Cache configurations also diverge. Both have 80 KB of L1 cache per core, but the AMD has 1 MB of L2 per core while the Intel has 2 MB per core. The shared L3 cache is substantially different: the AMD has 64 MB shared, while the Intel has 36 MB shared. This larger L3 cache on the AMD part likely contributes to its strong performance in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test. The AMD uses quad-channel LPDDR5X memory with a bandwidth of 256.0 GB/s, whereas the Intel uses dual-channel DDR4 or DDR5 memory with no listed bandwidth figure. The memory subsystem is a major differentiator, with the AMD having a wider memory bus.

The integrated graphics differ as well, with the AMD featuring a Radeon 8050S and the Intel featuring UHD Graphics 770. Both support ECC memory. The AMD part is not multiplier unlocked, while the Intel part is unlocked. The sockets are proprietary to each platform, with the AMD using AMD Socket FP11 and the Intel using Intel BGA 1964. The PCIe support also differs, with the AMD offering Gen 4 with 16 lanes and the Intel offering Gen 5 with 16 lanes. The release dates are close, with the AMD launching on 2025-01-05 and the Intel on 2024-01-07.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900HX has a boost clock of 5.80 GHz, which is higher than the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390’s 5.00 GHz boost clock.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 outperform the Intel Core i9-14900HX in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 scores 36064 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 20% higher than the Intel Core i9-14900HX’s score of 30055.

Q: In which benchmark does the Intel Core i9-14900HX show its largest advantage over the AMD part?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900HX’s largest win is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where it scores 4574 compared to the AMD’s 3635, a delta of -20.5% for the AMD.

Q: What is the difference in their average benchmark scores?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 has an average benchmark score of 56273, while the Intel Core i9-14900HX has an average score of 56004, making the AMD part 0.5% faster on average.

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900HX has 32 threads, while the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 has 24 threads.

Q: Do both processors have the same production status?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 and the Intel Core i9-14900HX have an "Active" production status.

Specification Differences

The table below highlights the key specifications that differ between the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 and the Intel Core i9-14900HX.

| Specification | AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 | Intel Core i9-14900HX |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Cores | 12 | 24 |

| Threads | 24 | 32 |

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 2.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 5.80 GHz |

| Architecture | Zen 5 | Raptor Lake |

| Codename | Strix Halo | Raptor Lake-HX |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die Size | 2x 70.6 mm² | 257 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 2 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 64 MB (shared) | 36 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | LPDDR5X | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 256.0 GB/s | Not listed |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 8050S | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP11 | Intel BGA 1964 |

| Release Date | 2025-01-05 | 2024-01-07 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results show a fascinating split, where the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 dominates in newer, more complex workloads, while the Intel Core i9-14900HX excels in more traditional and integer-based tasks. The most striking result is the Cinebench R23 single-core test, where the AMD scores 5091 against Intel’s 2181.5, a massive 133.4% advantage. This is a clear indicator of the Zen 5 architecture’s superior IPC efficiency. The AMD also wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core test with a score of 36064 versus Intel’s 30055, a 20% lead, despite having only half the cores. This suggests the AMD’s larger 64 MB L3 cache and higher memory bandwidth are highly effective in this modern benchmark.

The Intel Core i9-14900HX, on the other hand, shows its strength in older Cinebench versions. It wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 20.5% (4574 vs 3635) and narrowly takes Cinebench R20 multi-core by 3% (15616 vs 15146). It also wins Cinebench R20 single-core by 3% (2204 vs 2138). In the PassMark suite, the Intel chip wins the majority of tests. It leads in data compression by 9.8% (539965 vs 487145), data encryption by a substantial 23.1% (32619 vs 25097), and floating point math by 19.3% (112273 vs 90594). The Intel part also takes integer math with a 6.9% lead (157375 vs 146519) and multithread with a 4.7% lead (43778 vs 41737).

However, the AMD counters in several PassMark tests that are less common. It wins extended instructions by 23.9% (38716 vs 31247) and find prime numbers by a massive 63.7% (316 vs 193). The AMD also wins the physics test by 4.7% (2761 vs 2638). The Intel chip wins the random string sorting test by 12.7% (60861 vs 53113) and the single-thread test by 3.5% (4175 vs 4028). The data shows a pattern: the Intel Core i9-14900HX is the better processor for tasks that rely on raw core count and high clock speeds, while the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 is superior in tasks that benefit from architectural efficiency and memory bandwidth. The Intel i9-14900HX may win more individual tests, but the AMD’s wins are often by larger margins in modern workloads, making the overall performance picture much more nuanced than a simple count of wins suggests.