AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 vs Intel Core Ultra 7 366H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a decisive overall victory for the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390. Across the 17 head-to-head comparisons, the AMD part wins 11 and the Intel Core Ultra 7 366H wins 6. The AMD chip's lead is substantial in most categories, while the Intel chip's wins are narrow or isolated to specific workloads.

The single most lopsided result is in PassMark integer math. The Ryzen AI Max 390 scores 146519 against 83695 for the Intel part, a 75.1% advantage. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison and points to a major difference in raw execution throughput for integer-heavy code. Data compression follows a similar pattern: AMD scores 487145 versus 327455, a 48.8% lead. Extended instructions show AMD ahead by 43.9% (38716 versus 26901). Random string sorting goes to AMD by 33.4% (53113 versus 39814). These four results are the biggest wins for the AMD chip.

The Cinebench results are consistent across all three versions tested. In Cinebench R15 multicore, AMD scores 3635 versus Intel's 2870, a 26.7% lead. The single-core test shows the same 26.7% delta (513 versus 405). Cinebench R20 multicore shows AMD ahead by 26.6% (15146 versus 11960), and the single-core test again shows 26.7% (2138 versus 1688). Cinebench R23 multicore has AMD at 36064 versus 28477, a 26.6% lead, with single-core at 5091 versus 4020, also 26.6%. The consistency of these deltas across all three Cinebench versions indicates a stable architectural advantage rather than a workload-specific anomaly.

PassMark multithread confirms the pattern: AMD scores 41737 versus 33429, a 24.9% lead. This aligns with the Cinebench multicore results and reinforces the conclusion that the AMD processor delivers more aggregate throughput in heavily threaded workloads.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 366H wins are smaller in magnitude. Floating point math is the Intel chip's best result: 103615 versus 90594, a 12.6% lead. Physics testing shows Intel ahead by 4.1% (2880 versus 2761). Find prime numbers goes to Intel by 3.1% (326 versus 316). Data encryption shows Intel ahead by 2.9% (25845 versus 25097). Single-thread performance is nearly identical: Intel scores 4043 versus AMD's 4028, a 0.4% difference. The Intel chip wins the single-thread test in both PassMark listings, but the margin is negligible.

Interestingly, the AMD chip wins Cinebench single-core by 26.7%, yet loses PassMark single-thread by 0.4%. This discrepancy suggests the PassMark single-thread workload exercises a different instruction mix that favors the Intel architecture, while the Cinebench render workload favors the AMD core design.

Architecture Differences

The two processors use fundamentally different design approaches. The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 is built on the Zen 5 architecture, codenamed Strix Halo, with a 4 nm process node from TSMC. The Intel Core Ultra 7 366H uses the Panther Lake architecture with a 3 nm process node from Intel's own foundry. Both are mobile processors in active production.

Core counts differ significantly in configuration. The AMD chip has 12 cores and 24 threads, meaning each core supports two threads via simultaneous multithreading. The Intel chip has 16 cores and 16 threads, with no multithreading support. The AMD chip achieves its multicore dominance with fewer physical cores but double the thread count per core. The Intel chip relies on more physical cores but each executes one thread.

Clock speeds favor AMD. The Ryzen AI Max 390 has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Intel part has a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The AMD chip has a higher base clock by 1.20 GHz and a higher boost clock by 0.20 GHz. This clock advantage contributes to the AMD chip's single-core wins in Cinebench.

Cache configurations are substantially different. The AMD chip provides 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 64 MB shared L3. The Intel chip provides 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 18 MB shared L3. The Intel chip has more per-core L1 and L2, but the AMD chip has over 3.5 times more shared L3 cache. The larger L3 likely helps the AMD chip in workloads that reuse data across cores.

Memory architecture is a major differentiator. The AMD chip supports LPDDR5X memory over a quad-channel bus with 256.0 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel chip supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a dual-channel bus with 115.2 GB/s bandwidth. The AMD chip has more than double the memory bandwidth. The AMD chip also supports ECC memory, while the Intel chip does not.

PCIe connectivity differs. The AMD chip uses Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Intel chip uses Gen 5 with 12 lanes (CPU only). The Intel chip has a newer PCIe generation but fewer lanes. Integrated graphics also differ: the AMD chip uses Radeon 8050S, while the Intel chip uses Intel Xe3 Graphics.

Power envelopes differ substantially. The AMD chip has a TDP of 55 watts, while the Intel chip has a TDP of 25 watts. The AMD chip draws more power but delivers higher performance in most benchmarks. The Intel chip is more power-efficient on paper.

Socket types are incompatible. The AMD chip uses AMD Socket FP11, while the Intel chip uses Intel BGA 2540. Release dates differ by about a year: the AMD chip was released on 2025-01-05, and the Intel chip on 2026-01-04.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 has an average benchmark score of 56273, placing it in the 91st percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core Ultra 7 366H has an average score of 41263, placing it in the 87th percentile.

Q: How close is the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 to its nearest rivals?

A: The AMD chip's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 470, which scores 56306, a 0.1% difference. The Intel Core i9-14900HX scores 56004, putting the AMD chip 0.5% ahead. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX scores 56555, putting the AMD chip 0.5% behind. The Intel Core 7 253PQE scores 55919, putting the AMD chip 0.6% ahead.

Q: How does the Intel Core Ultra 7 366H compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Intel chip's nearest rival is the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H, which scores 41215, a 0.1% difference. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440 scores 41208, also a 0.1% difference. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X scores 41376, putting the Intel chip 0.3% behind. The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H scores 40967, putting the Intel chip 0.7% ahead.

Q: In which benchmarks does the Intel chip outperform the AMD chip?

A: The Intel chip wins floating point math (103615 versus 90594, a 12.6% lead), physics (2880 versus 2761, a 4.1% lead), find prime numbers (326 versus 316, a 3.1% lead), data encryption (25845 versus 25097, a 2.9% lead), and single-thread performance (4043 versus 4028, a 0.4% lead).

Q: What is the largest performance gap in either direction?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark integer math, where the AMD chip scores 146519 versus the Intel chip's 83695, a 75.1% advantage for AMD. The second largest gap is in data compression, where AMD leads by 48.8% (487145 versus 327455).

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra 7 366H does not support ECC memory.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 | Intel Core Ultra 7 366H |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 12 | 16 |

| Threads | 24 | 16 |

| Base clock | 3.20 GHz | 2.00 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.00 GHz | 4.80 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 25 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP11 | Intel BGA 2540 |

| Architecture | Zen 5 | Panther Lake |

| Codename | Strix Halo | Panther Lake |

| Process node | 4 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| L1 cache | 80 KB per core | 192 KB per core |

| L2 cache | 1 MB per core | 2.5 MB per core |

| L3 cache | 64 MB shared | 18 MB shared |

| Memory support | LPDDR5X | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory bus | Quad-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 256.0 GB/s | 115.2 GB/s |

| ECC memory | Supported | Not supported |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 16 lanes | Gen 5, 12 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon 8050S | Intel Xe3 Graphics |

| Release date | 2025-01-05 | 2026-01-04 |

| Part number | 100-000001423 | SA4R9Q9EL |

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 wins in 11 of 17 head-to-head tests. Its strengths are concentrated in integer-heavy and multithreaded workloads. Integer math shows the largest margin at 75.1%. Data compression, extended instructions, and random string sorting all show AMD leads above 30%. The Cinebench suite, which tests 3D rendering performance, shows AMD ahead by about 26.7% across every version and both single-core and multicore tests. The PassMark multithread test confirms the pattern with a 24.9% AMD lead. This processor is best suited for rendering, compilation, data processing, and any workload that scales across many threads.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 366H wins in 6 of 17 tests, but the margins are smaller. Its best win is floating point math at 12.6%. Physics, find prime numbers, and data encryption show leads between 2.9% and 4.1%. Single-thread performance is essentially tied, with Intel ahead by only 0.4%. The Intel chip's wins suggest it handles floating-point-heavy calculations and certain cryptographic or physics simulation workloads more efficiently. Its lower TDP of 25 watts versus 55 watts also indicates it may fit in thinner, cooler-running chassis.

The Verdict

The benchmark data clearly favors the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 for most computing tasks. It holds a 26.6% to 26.7% lead across all three Cinebench versions in both single-core and multicore tests. It leads by 24.9% in PassMark multithread and by 75.1% in integer math. Its average benchmark score of 56273 places it in the 91st percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel chip's average of 41263 places it in the 87th percentile. The AMD chip also provides more than double the memory bandwidth (256.0 GB/s versus 115.2 GB/s) and a much larger L3 cache (64 MB versus 18 MB), which supports its performance in data-heavy workloads.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 366H is the choice for specific niche workloads. It wins floating point math by 12.6%, a meaningful margin for scientific computing or financial modeling that relies heavily on floating-point operations. It also wins physics, prime number finding, and data encryption, though by smaller margins. Its single-thread PassMark score is essentially equal to the AMD chip. The Intel chip's higher core count of 16 versus 12 does not translate into wins in the multithreaded benchmarks, since the AMD chip's 24 threads and higher clocks compensate.

The AMD chip's 55 watt TDP versus Intel's 25 watt TDP is a consideration for system design. The Intel chip can operate in more power-constrained environments, but it delivers lower performance in most tests. For users prioritizing raw performance across the broadest range of applications, the data indicates the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390. For users with workloads specifically centered on floating-point math or requiring lower power consumption, the Intel Core Ultra 7 366H has documented advantages. The overall win count of 11 to 6, combined with larger average margins for AMD, makes the Ryzen AI Max 390 the stronger processor in this comparison.