AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 vs Intel Core 9 273PE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded benchmark data presents a decisive split between these two processors. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 takes 9 of the 11 head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core 9 273PE secures only 2 wins. The magnitude of the AMD victories is often substantial, making this a matchup defined by the scale of its differences rather than narrow margins.

The largest single win for the AMD processor appears in the PassMark extended instructions test, where it scores 45,666 against the Intel part's 24,630. That is a 85.4% advantage, the widest gap in the entire comparison. This result indicates a major difference in workloads that leverage specialized instruction sets. Data compression also shows a significant gap: the AMD scores 554,760 versus 405,885, a 36.7% lead. Random string sorting follows a similar pattern, with the AMD part at 59,487 against 45,098, a 31.9% improvement. Prime number finding shows a 57.6% advantage for the AMD chip, scoring 320 versus 203.

Multithreaded performance, often a key indicator of overall throughput, favors the AMD processor by 22.9%, with scores of 45,231 versus 36,810. Data encryption also goes to AMD with a 22.3% lead, scoring 27,784 against 22,719. Integer math shows a narrower, yet still clear, 9.3% advantage for the AMD part, 152,414 versus 139,410. Even in single-threaded performance, where Intel often competes closely, the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 leads with 3,927 against 3,650, a 7.6% margin.

The Intel Core 9 273PE claims two victories, both in floating-point math and physics. In floating-point math, the Intel part scores 107,884 against the AMD's 99,548, a 7.7% lead. The physics test shows a similar 7.5% advantage for Intel, scoring 3,120 versus 2,887. These wins are real but narrow, and they stand in contrast to the much larger margins achieved by the AMD chip elsewhere. The data suggests that while Intel holds a slight edge in these two specific workloads, the overall computational profile of the AMD processor is considerably stronger across the broader set of measured tasks.

The average benchmark score for the AMD part is 90,541, compared to 49,845 for the Intel part. This places the AMD processor in the 96th percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the Intel chip sits in the 90th percentile. The AMD part's nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Xeon 654 with an average score of 90,717 and a delta of -0.2%, and the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX at 91,199 with a delta of -0.7%. The Intel Core 9 273PE, by contrast, sits closest to the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388, which scores 49,796 with a delta of 0.1%, and the Intel Core i5-14600KF at 49,394 with a delta of 0.9%. These positioning data reinforce the conclusion that the AMD part operates in a higher performance tier altogether.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the majority of the head-to-head benchmark comparisons?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 wins 9 of the 11 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core 9 273PE wins 2.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two in any single test?

A: The largest gap is in the PassMark extended instructions test, where the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 scores 45,666 versus the Intel Core 9 273PE's 24,630, a 85.4% difference.

Q: Where does the Intel Core 9 273PE outperform the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392?

A: The Intel part wins in floating-point math, scoring 107,884 against 99,548, and in physics, scoring 3,120 against 2,887.

Q: How do the two processors compare in single-threaded performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 leads with a score of 3,927, while the Intel Core 9 273PE scores 3,650, a 7.6% advantage for AMD.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 has an average benchmark score of 90,541, while the Intel Core 9 273PE has an average score of 49,845.

Q: How do the processors rank among all CPUs in the database?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 is in the 96th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel Core 9 273PE is in the 90th percentile.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to a clear hierarchy between these two processors. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 delivers substantially higher performance in the majority of measured workloads, with its average benchmark score of 90,541 nearly doubling the Intel Core 9 273PE's 49,845. Its 96th percentile ranking versus the Intel part's 90th percentile further separates them in the broader CPU landscape.

The closest rivals to the AMD part are the Intel Xeon 654 and the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX, both of which sit within roughly 1% of its average score. This indicates that the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 belongs in the company of high-end server and flagship mobile processors. The Intel Core 9 273PE, by contrast, is bracketed by the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 and the Intel Core i5-14600KF, placing it in a more mainstream performance tier.

For workloads that depend on data compression, encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, integer math, random string sorting, or multithreaded throughput, the AMD processor is the stronger choice by the data. For floating-point-heavy tasks and physics simulations, the Intel part shows a modest edge. The overall picture, however, is one of AMD dominance across the benchmark suite.

Specification Differences

The two processors share a core and thread count, each offering 12 cores and 24 threads. Beyond that, the specifications diverge notably. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, while the Intel Core 9 273PE runs at a lower 2.30 GHz base but boosts higher to 5.70 GHz. The AMD part carries a 55 W TDP, whereas the Intel part is rated at 65 W.

Memory support differs significantly. The AMD processor uses LPDDR5X memory with a quad-channel bus and a memory bandwidth of 256.0 GB/s. The Intel processor supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, but only through a dual-channel bus, delivering 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth. Both support ECC memory. The AMD chip uses PCIe Gen 4 with 16 lanes, while the Intel chip uses PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes.

The integrated graphics also differ. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 includes a Radeon 8060S, while the Intel Core 9 273PE includes UHD Graphics 730. The AMD part is designed for the AMD Socket FP11 and targets the mobile market segment, while the Intel part uses Intel Socket 1700 and targets the desktop segment. The AMD processor has a release date of 2026-01-05, while the Intel processor follows on 2026-03-08. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $549; the AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two chips is substantial. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 is built on the Zen 5 architecture under the Strix Halo codename, fabricated on a 4 nm process by TSMC. The Intel Core 9 273PE uses the Bartlett Lake codename, part of the Core 9 generation, and is fabricated on a 10 nm process by Intel. The process node difference alone suggests a significant efficiency and density advantage for the AMD design.

Cache hierarchies differ as well. Both share an identical L1 cache of 80 KB per core and an L2 cache of 1 MB per core on the AMD side versus 2 MB per core on the Intel side. The L3 cache, however, is a major differentiator: the AMD processor offers 64 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel processor provides 36 MB. This larger shared cache on the AMD part likely contributes to its strong performance in data-heavy workloads like compression and string sorting.

The AMD processor also uses a die size of 2x 70.6 mm², while no die size is recorded for the Intel part. The AMD chip's memory subsystem, with quad-channel LPDDR5X and 256.0 GB/s of bandwidth, is architecturally designed for high-throughput data movement. The Intel part's dual-channel DDR4/DDR5 setup, with 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth, is more conventional for desktop use. The PCIe generation differs as well, with Intel offering Gen 5 lanes versus AMD's Gen 4, though both provide 16 CPU lanes.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 dominates in workloads that stress data throughput and parallel execution. Its 36.7% lead in data compression, 31.9% lead in random string sorting, and 22.3% lead in data encryption all point to a processor that handles large data sets with ease. The 85.4% advantage in extended instructions suggests a clear edge for computational tasks that use advanced instruction sets. The 22.9% lead in multithreaded performance and the 57.6% lead in prime number finding further establish the AMD part as the superior choice for heavily threaded general-purpose computing.

The AMD processor also wins the single-threaded comparison by 7.6%, meaning it is not merely a multicore specialist but also a strong performer in lightly threaded applications. Its 9.3% lead in integer math reinforces this broad-based strength. The 64 MB L3 cache and 256.0 GB/s memory bandwidth provide the architectural foundation for these wins, particularly in memory-intensive scenarios.

The Intel Core 9 273PE claims a narrower set of victories. Its 7.7% lead in floating-point math and 7.5% lead in physics indicate that it holds an advantage in scientific and simulation workloads that rely heavily on floating-point calculations. The higher 5.70 GHz boost clock may contribute to this performance in bursty, latency-sensitive tasks. For users whose primary workloads are floating-point-heavy, the Intel part offers a measurable, if modest, improvement over the AMD chip.

The use-case split is therefore clear. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 is the stronger all-around processor, particularly for data processing, encryption, compilation, and multithreaded productivity. The Intel Core 9 273PE is the better fit for floating-point-centric workloads such as certain physics simulations and numerical analysis. The benchmark data does not support a broader case for the Intel part beyond these specific niches.