AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear split between these two processors. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 wins 8 of the 11 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 takes 3. The margin of victory, however, tells the more interesting story.

The largest advantage for the AMD part appears in integer math, where it scores 152414 against Intel's 65345, a 133.2% lead. This is the single biggest delta in the comparison. Data compression also heavily favors AMD, with a score of 554760 versus 302811, a 83.2% advantage. Extended instructions show a 68.1% gap, with AMD at 45666 and Intel at 27162. Random string sorting gives AMD a 62.6% edge, 59487 to 36590.

The multithread test reflects the core and thread disparity. AMD scores 45231, which is 48.5% above Intel's 30459. Physics performance follows a similar pattern, with AMD at 2887 and Intel at 2342, a 23.3% difference. Data encryption shows a 24.7% lead for AMD, 27784 to 22285. Floating point math is closer, with AMD at 99548 and Intel at 92038, an 8.2% gap.

The Intel part's wins are concentrated in single-threaded workloads. It scores 4412 in the single-thread test against AMD's 3927, an 11% advantage. The same delta appears in the duplicate single-thread entry. Prime number finding also goes to Intel, 358 to 320, a 10.6% edge. These are the only tests where Intel comes out ahead, and both are in the 10-11% range.

The average benchmark scores place these chips in different tiers. AMD's average is 90541, which puts it in the 96th percentile of all CPUs. Intel's average is 36938, placing it in the 85th percentile. The nearest rival data confirms the separation: AMD sits within 0.7% of the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX and 0.2% of the Intel Xeon 654, while Intel's Core Ultra 5 225 matches the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F exactly at a 0% delta.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 dominates in heavily parallel workloads. Data compression, integer math, extended instruction sets, and multithreaded rendering all fall firmly in its favor. Users processing large datasets, compiling code, or running encryption tasks will see the largest gains. The 48.5% multithread advantage means any workload that scales across cores will favor this chip substantially.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 takes the single-thread crown. Its 4412 score in the single-thread test beats AMD's 3927 by 11%. Applications that rely on one or two fast cores, such as older games, lightly threaded productivity tools, or interactive workflows, will respond better to the Intel part. Prime number finding, which often reflects single-core efficiency, also goes to Intel by 10.6%.

Floating point math is the closest contest. AMD leads by only 8.2%, which suggests that for scientific or simulation workloads with heavy FPU usage, the two chips are more comparable than the overall average scores imply. Physics simulation also favors AMD by 23.3%, so the gap widens as thread counts increase.

The data indicates a clear division: AMD for throughput and parallel work, Intel for responsiveness in single-threaded scenarios. The 96th percentile ranking for AMD versus 85th for Intel reinforces the overall performance hierarchy.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 uses the Zen 5 architecture under the Strix Halo codename, built on TSMC's 4 nm process. It has 12 cores and 24 threads, with a die size listed as 2x 70.6 mm². The cache layout consists of 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of shared L3.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 is based on Arrow Lake architecture, specifically Arrow Lake-S, manufactured on TSMC's 3 nm node. It has 10 cores and 10 threads, meaning no hyperthreading support. The die is 243 mm² and contains 17,800 million transistors. Cache allocation differs significantly: 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3.

The core counts dictate the thread scheduling strategies. AMD's 12 cores with simultaneous multithreading produce 24 threads, while Intel's 10 cores run one thread per core. This explains the multithread benchmark gap. The larger L3 cache on AMD, 64 MB versus 20 MB, likely contributes to its dominance in data compression and random string sorting, workloads that benefit from larger working sets in cache.

Process nodes differ by only one nanometer step, but Intel's 3 nm node and larger die suggest a different transistor budget allocation. Intel dedicates more cache per core at L1 and L2 levels, while AMD concentrates capacity in shared L3. The memory controllers also differ, which affects bandwidth characteristics.

Specification Differences

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 is a mobile processor with a 55 W TDP, using AMD Socket FP11. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 is a desktop part with a 65 W TDP, using Intel Socket 1851. Clock speeds are close: AMD runs at 3.20 GHz base and 5.00 GHz boost, while Intel runs at 3.30 GHz base and 4.90 GHz boost.

Memory support separates the two clearly. AMD uses LPDDR5X with a quad-channel bus and 256.0 GB/s of bandwidth, and it supports ECC memory. Intel uses DDR5 with a dual-channel bus and 102.4 GB/s of bandwidth, with no ECC support. The bandwidth difference is more than twofold, which feeds into the compression and encryption results.

PCIe connectivity also differs. AMD provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes, while Intel provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes. This affects expansion options for storage and discrete GPUs, with Intel offering more lanes and a newer standard.

Integrated graphics differ by a wide margin. AMD includes the Radeon 8060S, while Intel includes the Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU. The benchmark data does not include graphics tests, but the naming and configuration suggest different levels of integrated GPU capability. The release dates are also distinct: AMD launched on 2026-01-05, Intel on 2025-01-06. Intel has a launch MSRP of $246; no MSRP is listed for AMD. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 has 10 cores and 10 threads.

Q: How much faster is AMD in multithreaded performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 scores 45231 in the PassMark multithread test, which is 48.5% higher than the Intel Core Ultra 5 225's 30459.

Q: Does Intel win any benchmark tests?

A: Yes. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 wins the single-thread test with 4412 versus 3927, an 11% advantage, and the prime number finding test with 358 versus 320, a 10.6% edge.

Q: What memory bandwidth does each processor support?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 supports LPDDR5X over a quad-channel bus with 256.0 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 supports DDR5 over a dual-channel bus with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Which chip has a higher single-thread score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225, with a score of 4412 compared to AMD's 3927, an 11% difference.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 has an average benchmark score of 90541 and sits in the 96th percentile. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 has an average score of 36938 and sits in the 85th percentile.

The Verdict

The data points to two different usage profiles. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 is the stronger processor for multithreaded and memory-intensive workloads. Its 48.5% multithread lead, 133.2% integer math advantage, and 83.2% data compression edge make it the clear choice for rendering, data processing, encryption, and any parallel task. The 256.0 GB/s memory bandwidth, enabled by quad-channel LPDDR5X, supports these workloads directly. The 96th percentile ranking places it near the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX and Intel Xeon 654, within 0.7% and 0.2% respectively.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 serves the single-threaded use case. Its 11% single-thread advantage over AMD matters for applications that cannot use many cores. The 85th percentile ranking puts it in line with the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F, showing it competes with mid-range desktop parts rather than high-end mobile silicon. The 65 W TDP and desktop socket make it a conventional desktop choice, while AMD's 55 W TDP and mobile socket target a different platform.

Users who prioritize raw throughput in threaded workloads should select the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392. Users who need maximum single-core responsiveness or require a desktop processor with Gen 5 PCIe lanes should consider the Intel Core Ultra 5 225. The benchmark data does not show a scenario where Intel closes the multithread gap, nor a scenario where AMD takes the single-thread lead. The choice rests on workload type, not on overall performance claims.