AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 vs Intel Core 5 220H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a dominant performance profile for the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392, winning all 11 recorded head-to-head comparisons against the Intel Core 5 220H. The largest margin comes in the extended instructions test, where the AMD part scores 45,666 versus 14,642, a 211.9% advantage. This indicates a substantial lead in workloads that leverage advanced instruction sets, likely benefiting from the Zen 5 architecture's wider execution resources.

Prime number computation shows the most extreme gap: AMD scores 320 against Intel's 82, a 290.2% difference. This test is highly sensitive to integer throughput and branch handling, and the result confirms the AMD processor's strong per-core efficiency in this specific workload. Data compression also shows a massive gulf, with AMD at 554,760 and Intel at 247,921, a 123.8% delta. That result heavily favors the AMD chip for archiving, database compression, and similar data-heavy tasks.

Integer math performance follows the same pattern: AMD scores 152,414 versus Intel's 73,555, a 107.2% lead. Multithreaded performance, measured through the PassMark multithread test, shows AMD at 45,231 against Intel's 21,884, a 106.7% difference. This near-doubling of multithread throughput aligns with the thread count disparity, but the margin exceeds the raw thread ratio, suggesting architectural efficiency also plays a role.

Floating-point math scores are 99,548 for AMD and 51,671 for Intel, a 92.7% advantage. Physics simulation results show a similar pattern: 2,887 versus 1,478, a 95.3% lead. Random string sorting, a test of memory access patterns and sorting algorithms, gives AMD 59,487 and Intel 28,438, a 109.2% delta. Data encryption shows AMD at 27,784 against Intel's 15,216, an 82.6% margin.

The single-thread test is the closest comparison, yet AMD still holds a clear edge: 3,927 versus 3,405, a 15.3% advantage. This result matters because single-thread performance underpins many everyday applications, and the AMD chip's lead here is not marginal. The recorded data also shows the AMD processor ranks in the 96th percentile among all CPUs, while the Intel processor sits in the 80th percentile. Average benchmark scores reinforce the gap: AMD averages 90,541, while Intel averages 28,574.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 uses the Zen 5 architecture, codenamed Strix Halo, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core 5 220H uses Raptor Lake, specifically Raptor Lake-H, built on a 10 nm process at Intel. This process node difference contributes to efficiency and performance density, though the data does not isolate that effect.

Core counts are equal at 12 cores, but thread counts differ sharply. AMD supports 24 threads, while Intel supports 16 threads, meaning AMD has simultaneous multithreading on all cores while Intel does not. Base clocks differ: AMD runs at 3.20 GHz, Intel at 2.70 GHz. Boost clocks are closer, with AMD at 5.00 GHz and Intel at 4.90 GHz.

Cache hierarchies show distinct designs. Both have 80 KB of L1 per core. AMD uses 1 MB of L2 per core, while Intel uses 2 MB per core. The L3 cache differs substantially: AMD offers 64 MB shared, Intel offers 18 MB shared. That 64 MB L3 gives AMD a significant capacity advantage for workloads with large working sets, such as database queries or complex simulations.

Memory support also diverges. AMD supports LPDDR5X with a quad-channel memory bus and 256.0 GB/s bandwidth. Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus, and the database records no bandwidth figure for Intel. AMD also supports ECC memory, while Intel does not. PCIe support differs: AMD provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only), Intel provides Gen 5 with 8 lanes (CPU only). The Gen 5 interface on Intel offers higher per-lane bandwidth, but AMD has double the lane count.

Integrated graphics differ as well. AMD includes Radeon 8060S, while Intel includes Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. The database does not include graphics benchmarks, so the comparison here is limited to specifications. Socket types are incompatible: AMD uses AMD Socket FP11, Intel uses Intel BGA 1744. Release dates differ, with Intel launching on 2024-12-17 and AMD on 2026-01-05.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-thread performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 scores 3,927 in the PassMark single-thread test, which is 15.3% higher than the Intel Core 5 220H's 3,405.

Q: How much faster is AMD in multithreaded workloads?

A: The AMD processor scores 45,231 in the PassMark multithread test, which is 106.7% higher than Intel's 21,884, effectively more than double the throughput.

Q: What is the difference in L3 cache capacity?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 has 64 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core 5 220H has 18 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core 5 220H does not.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD processor supports LPDDR5X with a quad-channel memory bus and 256.0 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel processor supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel memory bus, and no bandwidth figure is recorded for it.

Q: How do the processors compare in data encryption performance?

A: The AMD processor scores 27,784 in the PassMark data encryption test, which is 82.6% higher than the Intel processor's 15,216.

The Verdict

The data clearly favors the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 across every recorded benchmark. The 11 wins out of 11 head-to-head comparisons establish a consistent performance hierarchy. The AMD chip also holds a higher percentile ranking, 96th versus 80th among all CPUs, and its average benchmark score of 90,541 is more than triple the Intel Core 5 220H's 28,574.

For users prioritizing raw compute performance, especially in multithreaded, encryption, compression, or instruction-heavy workloads, the AMD processor is the stronger choice based on the recorded data. The Intel processor's advantages are limited to specific areas: it supports PCIe Gen 5, has a larger L2 cache per core, and holds a lower TDP of 45 watts versus AMD's 55 watts. But no benchmark in the database shows Intel winning any test.

The Intel Core 5 220H does carry a launch MSRP of $342, while no launch MSRP is recorded for the AMD part. That price difference may matter to buyers, but the performance data shows a substantial capability gap that the price difference does not close.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 | Intel Core 5 220H |

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

| Architecture | Zen 5 | Raptor Lake |

| Codename | Strix Halo | Raptor Lake-H |

| Generation | Ryzen AI Max (Zen 5 (Strix Halo)) | Core 5 (Raptor Lake Refresh) |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Threads | 24 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 2.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 45 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP11 | Intel BGA 1744 |

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

| L3 Cache | 64 MB (shared) | 18 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | LPDDR5X | DDR4, DDR5 |

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

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

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 8 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 8060S | Iris Xe Graphics 80EU |

| Release Date | 2026-01-05 | 2024-12-17 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $342 |

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 wins in every benchmark category recorded. For compute-heavy tasks such as video rendering, scientific simulation, data compression, and encryption, the AMD chip's large L3 cache, higher thread count, and faster memory bandwidth make it the definitive choice. The 64 MB L3 cache allows larger data sets to stay resident, reducing reliance on slower memory accesses. The quad-channel LPDDR5X with 256.0 GB/s bandwidth provides ample data throughput for memory-hungry applications.

The Intel Core 5 220H does not win any benchmark, but it holds advantages in specific specifications. Its PCIe Gen 5 support with 8 lanes offers higher per-lane bandwidth for compatible peripherals, which may benefit certain storage or accelerator configurations. The larger L2 cache per core, 2 MB versus 1 MB, could help latency-sensitive single-threaded code that fits within that cache level. The lower TDP of 45 watts versus 55 watts indicates a potentially lower power draw, which matters for thin-and-light laptop designs where battery life is a priority.

The Intel processor also uses DDR4 memory in addition to DDR5, which may provide compatibility with existing memory modules, though the database does not record performance comparisons for memory types. For users on a constrained platform budget, the Intel part's launch MSRP of $342 provides a price reference, but no such figure exists for the AMD chip.

In practical terms, the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 is the processor for workloads that demand maximum compute throughput: software compilation, 3D rendering, data analysis, and heavy multitasking. The Intel Core 5 220H is the processor for systems where PCIe Gen 5 connectivity, lower power draw, or DDR4 compatibility take priority over raw compute performance. The benchmark record shows no scenario where Intel outperforms AMD in tested workloads.