AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 vs Intel Core 5 315 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 and Intel Core 5 315 occupy different ends of the mobile processing spectrum, and the benchmark data reflects a decisive split. The AMD part wins 9 of the 11 head-to-head comparisons, with wins concentrated in multi-threaded, memory-sensitive, and compute-heavy workloads. The Intel part wins the two single-thread tests, but by a very narrow margin. This is not a close contest; it is a story of two processors designed for entirely different purposes.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 is the clear victor in every multi-threaded and data-intensive workload recorded. Its 9 wins include the PassMark multithread test, integer math, floating point math, data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, physics, and random string sorting. The margins are substantial, ranging from 134.6% to 381% ahead of the Intel part. The largest win comes in integer math, where the AMD chip scores 152414 against 31690 for the Intel Core 5 315, a delta of 381%. This indicates a processor that scales aggressively with parallel workloads and benefits from a wide memory interface.

The Intel Core 5 315 claims exactly two wins, both in the single-thread category. It scores 4021 in the PassMark single-thread test compared to 3927 for the AMD chip, a delta of -2.3% from the AMD perspective. This is a narrow victory, but it is consistent across the two recorded single-thread entries. The Intel part also posts a higher average benchmark score relative to its nearest rivals, sitting at 18188 with rivals like the AMD EPYC 9274F and Intel Core i7-9700 within 0.1%, indicating that its single-thread performance is competitive for its class. However, this advantage does not translate into broader workload wins.

Architecture Differences

The two chips are built on fundamentally different foundations. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 uses the Zen 5 architecture, codenamed Strix Halo, manufactured on a 4 nm process by TSMC. It packs 12 cores and 24 threads, with a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The cache hierarchy is large: 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of shared L3. The die size is listed as 2x 70.6 mm², and the socket is AMD Socket FP11. The chip supports LPDDR5X memory over a quad-channel bus, delivering 256.0 GB/s of memory bandwidth, and it supports ECC memory. The integrated graphics is the Radeon 8060S.

The Intel Core 5 315 uses the Wildcat Lake codename, built on a 3 nm process by Intel. It has 6 cores and 6 threads, meaning no hyperthreading, with a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. Its cache is much smaller: 192 KB of L1, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The socket is Intel BGA 1516. Memory support includes DDR5 and LPDDR5X, but the bus is single-channel, limiting memory bandwidth to 59.7 GB/s. ECC memory is not supported. The integrated graphics is Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The TDP tells the story of intent: the AMD chip is rated at 55 W, while the Intel chip is rated at 15 W.

The process node difference is notable: Intel uses a 3 nm process versus AMD's 4 nm. Yet the AMD part compensates with far more cores, threads, cache, and memory bandwidth. The single-channel memory bus on the Intel part is a severe constraint for data-heavy tasks, which explains the large deltas in memory-sensitive benchmarks like data compression and random string sorting.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data compression test shows the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 scoring 554760 against 146143 for the Intel Core 5 315, a delta of 279.6%. This workload relies heavily on memory bandwidth and multi-threading, both areas where the AMD part has a commanding lead. The quad-channel LPDDR5X interface at 256.0 GB/s versus the single-channel 59.7 GB/s is the likely driver.

Data encryption shows a similar pattern: AMD scores 27784, Intel scores 11119, a delta of 149.9%. Extended instructions, which tests SIMD and specialized instruction paths, shows AMD at 45666 versus 13143, a delta of 247.5%. Prime number finding, a workload sensitive to integer throughput, shows AMD at 320 versus 112, a delta of 185.7%. Floating point math shows AMD at 99548 versus 42441, a delta of 134.6%.

The multithread test is a direct measure of parallel scaling: AMD scores 45231, Intel scores 15272, a delta of 196.2%. Physics simulation shows AMD at 2887 versus 1163, a delta of 148.2%. Random string sorting, another memory-latency and bandwidth-sensitive test, shows AMD at 59487 versus 17551, a delta of 238.9%. Integer math is the largest gap at 381%, with AMD at 152414 and Intel at 31690.

The only Intel wins are the single-thread tests, where it scores 4021 against 3927, a delta of -2.3% in AMD's favor. This is a small margin, less than 100 points. The Intel part achieves this despite a lower boost clock of 4.40 GHz versus 5.00 GHz on the AMD chip, suggesting that the Wildcat Lake core has strong instruction-level efficiency in single-threaded code. But this advantage is isolated and does not appear in any other tested workload.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 has an average benchmark score of 90541, placing it in the 96th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core 5 315 has an average score of 18188, placing it in the 72nd percentile.

Q: How does the Intel Core 5 315 compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Intel Core 5 315 has an average score of 18188, with the AMD EPYC 9274F at 18189 (0% delta) and the Intel Core i7-9700 at 18180 (0% delta). The Intel Core i7-1365U and AMD Ryzen 7 5700U are both within 0.1%, at 18177 and 18176 respectively.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 supports quad-channel LPDDR5X with 256.0 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The Intel Core 5 315 supports single-channel DDR5 and LPDDR5X with 59.7 GB/s.

Q: Does the Intel Core 5 315 win any benchmark?

A: Yes, it wins the PassMark single-thread test with a score of 4021 versus 3927 for the AMD part, a delta of -2.3% from AMD's perspective. This is the only category where it leads.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core 5 315 has 6 cores and 6 threads.

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 is rated at 55 W. The Intel Core 5 315 is rated at 15 W.

The Verdict

The data points to two distinct user profiles. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 is for workloads that demand parallel throughput, large data sets, and high memory bandwidth. Its 96th percentile ranking, average score of 90541, and 9 out of 11 head-to-head wins make it the choice for multi-threaded compute, content creation, data compression, and any task that scales with cores and memory channels. The 381% lead in integer math and 279.6% lead in data compression are not incremental improvements; they represent a different performance class.

The Intel Core 5 315 is for power-constrained, single-threaded tasks where the 15 W TDP is a priority. Its single-thread score of 4021 edges out the AMD part's 3927, and its 72nd percentile ranking places it among mainstream mobile processors. The nearest rivals, including the Intel Core i7-9700 and AMD Ryzen 7 5700U, are within 0.1%, confirming that the Intel part is competitive within its own segment. But its 6 cores and 6 threads, single-channel memory bus, and 59.7 GB/s bandwidth cap its performance in any parallel workload.

The AMD part also carries a 55 W TDP, which is over three times the Intel part's 15 W rating. The performance gap reflects this power budget. For a user who needs maximum multi-threaded output, the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 is the only option in this comparison. For a user who prioritizes low power draw and single-thread responsiveness, the Intel Core 5 315 holds a narrow but real edge. The launch MSRP of the Intel Core 5 315 is $340, but the AMD part's performance profile is defined by its benchmark results, not its price.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 | Intel Core 5 315 |

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

| Cores | 12 | 6 |

| Threads | 24 | 6 |

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 1.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 4.40 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP11 | Intel BGA 1516 |

| Codename | Strix Halo | Wildcat Lake |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 192 KB |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 2.5 MB |

| L3 Cache | 64 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | LPDDR5X | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Single-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 256.0 GB/s | 59.7 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 6 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 8060S | Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) |

| Release Date | 2026-01-05 | 2026-04-15 |

| Part Number | 100-000001979 | SAEFC |