AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 vs Intel Core i9-14901E Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a clear overall winner: the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 claims 14 of the 17 recorded head-to-head wins, with the Intel Core i9-14901E taking only 3. The AMD part's average benchmark score of 56273 places it in the 91st percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel chip's average of 37911 lands in the 86th percentile. This gap is substantial, roughly 48% in favor of the AMD processor based on the average scores.

For multi-threaded workloads, the Ryzen AI Max 390 is the definitive choice. Its 12 cores and 24 threads outpace the Intel's 8 cores and 16 threads across every Cinebench multi-core test, with deltas consistently around 40%. The AMD part also dominates in data compression (68.7% ahead), encryption (35.1% ahead), and extended instructions (124.5% ahead). The Intel Core i9-14901E does hold advantages in two specific areas: PassMark physics simulation (9.2% ahead) and single-thread performance (7.5% ahead). The data indicates the Intel chip is preferable for workloads that rely heavily on single-threaded execution or physics calculations.

The Ryzen AI Max 390 is a mobile processor on AMD Socket FP11, while the Core i9-14901E is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1700. This platform distinction matters for system builders, as the AMD chip targets compact, power-efficient designs with a 55 W TDP, whereas the Intel chip is a 65 W desktop processor. The data does not suggest either is universally superior; instead, the choice depends on whether the user prioritizes the AMD's massive multi-threaded lead and mobile form factor or the Intel's single-thread and physics wins in a desktop context.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 uses the Zen 5 architecture on a 4 nm TSMC process, with a die size of 2x 70.6 mm². The Intel Core i9-14901E uses Raptor Lake architecture on Intel's 10 nm process, with a die size of 257 mm². This manufacturing difference likely contributes to the AMD part's higher efficiency and performance per watt, though the raw numbers in the database do not directly measure power efficiency.

Cache configurations differ markedly. Both parts have 80 KB of L1 cache per core, but the AMD uses 1 MB of L2 per core while the Intel uses 2 MB per core. The L3 cache tells a different story: the AMD has 64 MB shared, versus the Intel's 36 MB shared. The larger L3 cache on the AMD part may explain its substantial lead in data compression and encryption workloads, which often benefit from larger working sets in cache.

Memory support also diverges. The AMD uses LPDDR5X memory with a quad-channel bus and 256.0 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus, though its bandwidth figure is not recorded in the database. Both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity differs as well: the AMD offers Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics also differ, with the AMD featuring a Radeon 8050S and the Intel featuring UHD Graphics 770.

Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The AMD has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, while the Intel has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz. The Intel's higher boost clock may contribute to its single-thread advantage, despite its lower base clock.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows a remarkable consistency in the AMD's advantage. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD scores 3635 versus the Intel's 2595, a 40.1% lead. The single-core R15 test shows a nearly identical 40.2% delta, with scores of 513 and 366 respectively. This pattern repeats in R20 multi-core (15146 vs 10816, 40% delta), R20 single-core (2138 vs 1526, 40.1%), R23 multi-core (36064 vs 25753, 40%), and R23 single-core (5091 vs 3635, 40.1%). The consistency of roughly 40% across all Cinebench tests indicates a fundamental per-clock or architectural advantage for the AMD design, not just a core-count benefit.

PassMark results are more varied. The AMD dominates in extended instructions with a 124.5% lead (38716 vs 17249), which suggests a significant advantage in SIMD or vectorized workloads. Data compression shows a 68.7% lead (487145 vs 288777), and find prime numbers shows a 67.2% lead (316 vs 189). The AMD also leads in integer math by 30% (146519 vs 112736), multithread by 37.8% (41737 vs 30298), and random string sorting by 35.7% (53113 vs 39138).

The Intel's wins are concentrated and specific. PassMark physics shows the Intel at 3041 versus the AMD's 2761, a 9.2% lead. PassMark single-thread shows the Intel at 4354 versus the AMD's 4028, a 7.5% lead. The floating-point math test is the closest contest, with the AMD leading 90594 to 81089, just an 11.7% margin. These results indicate the Intel part has strengths in certain legacy or specialized workloads, but the AMD's overall throughput is substantially higher.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core i9-14901E has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Does the Intel Core i9-14901E beat the AMD in any benchmark?

A: Yes, the Intel wins in PassMark physics (3041 vs 2761, a 9.2% lead) and PassMark single-thread (4354 vs 4028, a 7.5% lead). These are the only two tests where the Intel outperforms the AMD, out of 17 total head-to-head benchmarks.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 supports LPDDR5X with a quad-channel bus and 256.0 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core i9-14901E supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus, and its bandwidth is not recorded in the database.

Q: Are both processors currently in production?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 and the Intel Core i9-14901E have an active production status.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i9-14901E has a higher boost clock at 5.60 GHz, compared to the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390's 5.00 GHz. The AMD has a higher base clock at 3.20 GHz versus the Intel's 2.80 GHz.

Q: How does the average benchmark score compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 has an average benchmark score of 56273, which is in the 91st percentile. The Intel Core i9-14901E has an average of 37911, in the 86th percentile. The AMD's average is roughly 48% higher.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 wins in 14 of 17 benchmarks, making it the clear choice for multi-threaded productivity. Its biggest margins come in extended instructions (124.5% ahead), data compression (68.7% ahead), and find prime numbers (67.2% ahead). The Cinebench suite, which is widely used for rendering and CPU stress testing, shows a uniform 40% advantage across all tests, both single-core and multi-core. For users running video encoding, 3D rendering, data analysis, or any workload that scales across cores, the AMD part is the stronger option based on the data.

The Intel Core i9-14901E wins in PassMark physics and PassMark single-thread. The physics test shows a 9.2% lead, and the single-thread test shows a 7.5% lead. These wins suggest the Intel part may be preferable for legacy single-threaded applications, certain physics simulations, or workloads that do not benefit from the AMD's additional cores. The Intel also has a higher boost clock (5.60 GHz vs 5.00 GHz), which likely contributes to its single-thread performance.

The market segments differ significantly. The AMD is a mobile processor, suggesting it is intended for laptops or compact systems where the 55 W TDP and integrated Radeon 8050S graphics are advantageous. The Intel is a desktop processor with a 65 W TDP and UHD Graphics 770, designed for traditional desktop builds. The data does not include power consumption measurements, but the TDP figures and form factors suggest different use cases.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification. The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 uses 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core i9-14901E uses 8 cores and 16 threads. The AMD has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost of 5.00 GHz, while the Intel has a base of 2.80 GHz and a boost of 5.60 GHz. The AMD has a TDP of 55 W, the Intel has a TDP of 65 W.

The AMD uses AMD Socket FP11, while the Intel uses Intel Socket 1700. The AMD architecture is Zen 5 with the codename Strix Halo, while the Intel architecture is Raptor Lake with the codename Raptor Lake-R. The AMD process node is 4 nm from TSMC, while the Intel is 10 nm from Intel. The AMD die size is 2x 70.6 mm², while the Intel is 257 mm².

Cache allocation differs: both have 80 KB L1 per core, but the AMD has 1 MB L2 per core versus the Intel's 2 MB per core. The AMD has 64 MB shared L3, while the Intel has 36 MB shared. Memory support shows the AMD using LPDDR5X with quad-channel and 256.0 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel and no recorded bandwidth. Both support ECC memory. PCIe differs with the AMD offering Gen 4 (16 lanes) and the Intel offering Gen 5 (16 lanes). Integrated graphics are Radeon 8050S for the AMD and UHD Graphics 770 for the Intel. The market segment is Mobile for the AMD and Desktop for the Intel. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.