AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 338H Comparison

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 and Intel Core Ultra 5 338H are both mobile processors with 12 cores, but they deliver vastly different performance profiles. The recorded data shows the AMD part takes 9 of 11 shared benchmark comparisons, while the Intel chip wins the single-thread tests. This analysis breaks down those results, the architectural reasons behind them, and the workloads where each processor has a clear advantage.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive victory for the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 comes in integer math, where it scores 152414 against Intel’s 64934. That is a 134.7% lead, meaning the AMD processor delivers more than double the throughput in this workload. Data compression shows a similar pattern: AMD scores 554760 versus 276539, a 100.6% advantage. Both results indicate a substantial gulf in raw processing capacity for arithmetic and compression algorithms.

The AMD chip also wins by a wide margin in extended instructions, scoring 45666 against 23906, a 91% difference. Random string sorting favors AMD by 74.5%, with scores of 59487 and 34082. Multithread performance, a key indicator for parallel workloads, shows AMD at 45231 versus Intel’s 28717, which is 57.5% higher. This consistent pattern across multiple test categories points to the Ryzen AI Max+ 392 having significantly more compute throughput in heavily threaded scenarios.

Floating-point math is closer but still favors AMD, with a score of 99548 compared to 84067, an 18.4% difference. The AMD part leads by 30% in data encryption (27784 versus 21367), and by 7% in physics (2887 versus 2697). The smallest AMD win is in prime number finding, where it scores 320 versus 304, a 5.3% margin. These results show that even in less dominated areas, the AMD processor holds the advantage.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H secures its only wins in the single-thread tests. It scores 4180 in both the passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread benchmarks, while AMD scores 3927. That gives Intel a 6.1% lead in each case. This is a narrow but consistent win, indicating that the Intel architecture has a slight edge in lightly threaded, latency-sensitive operations. Despite this, the overall average benchmark score tells the story: AMD sits at 90541, while Intel is at 33989. The AMD processor’s average score places it in the 96th percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the Intel chip sits in the 84th percentile.

Architecture Differences

The two processors use fundamentally different designs. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 is built on the Zen 5 architecture, with the codename Strix Halo. It uses a 4 nm process node from TSMC and is part of the Ryzen AI Max generation. The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H uses the Panther Lake architecture, also named Panther Lake, and is fabricated on a 3 nm node by Intel itself. It belongs to the Core Ultra Series 3, in the Ultra 5 (Panther Lake-H) generation.

Core counts are identical at 12, but threading differs. The AMD part supports 24 threads, meaning each core can handle two threads simultaneously. The Intel chip supports only 12 threads, one per core. This explains the large multithread benchmark gap, as the AMD processor can process twice as many threads in parallel. The base clock for AMD is 3.20 GHz with a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, while Intel runs at a 1.90 GHz base and 4.70 GHz boost. The thermal design power also differs significantly: AMD is rated at 55 watts, while Intel is rated at 25 watts.

Cache hierarchies are also distinct. The AMD processor has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of shared L3 cache. Intel’s configuration uses 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. While Intel has larger per-core L1 and L2 allocations, AMD’s shared L3 cache is more than three times larger, which can be beneficial for data reuse across cores.

Memory support differs structurally. Both support LPDDR5X memory, but AMD uses a quad-channel memory bus with a recorded bandwidth of 256.0 GB/s. Intel uses a dual-channel bus with 136.5 GB/s bandwidth. This gives AMD roughly double the memory bandwidth, which directly supports its higher throughput in data-heavy benchmarks. AMD also supports ECC memory, while Intel does not. On the PCIe front, AMD provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while Intel provides Gen 5 with 4 lanes from the CPU.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The AMD chip uses the Radeon 8060S, while the Intel chip uses the Arc B370. Both processors are mobile parts with active production status. The AMD part was released on January 5, 2026, and the Intel part on January 4, 2026, one day earlier. Neither has a recorded launch MSRP, and both have locked multipliers.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better multithread performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 is significantly ahead. It scores 45231 in the passmark multithread test, which is 57.5% higher than the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H’s 28717. The AMD chip supports 24 threads, while the Intel chip supports 12.

Q: Does the Intel chip win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H wins both single-thread tests. It scores 4180 in passmark single-thread and passmark singlethread, while the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 scores 3927. That gives Intel a 6.1% lead in each.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest gap is in integer math. AMD scores 152414 versus Intel’s 64934, a 134.7% difference. Data compression is close behind, with AMD leading by 100.6%, scoring 554760 versus 276539.

Q: How do the memory systems compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 uses a quad-channel LPDDR5X bus with 256.0 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H uses a dual-channel LPDDR5X bus with 136.5 GB/s bandwidth. AMD also supports ECC memory, while Intel does not.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each?

A: Both processors have 12 cores. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 supports 24 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H supports 12 threads.

Q: How does the average benchmark score compare?

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 Ultra 5 338H has an average score of 33989, placing it in the 84th percentile.

Specification Differences

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 and Intel Core Ultra 5 338H differ across nearly every recorded specification. The AMD processor has 24 threads versus Intel’s 12. Its base clock is 3.20 GHz against Intel’s 1.90 GHz, and its boost clock is 5.00 GHz against 4.70 GHz. The thermal design power is 55 watts for AMD and 25 watts for Intel.

The socket types differ: AMD uses AMD Socket FP11, while Intel uses Intel BGA 2540. The architecture and codename are Zen 5 and Strix Halo for AMD, versus Panther Lake and Panther Lake for Intel. Process nodes are 4 nm from TSMC for AMD, and 3 nm from Intel for the competitor. The die size for AMD is recorded as 2x 70.6 mm², while Intel has no recorded die size.

Cache configurations differ in every level. AMD has 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 64 MB shared L3. Intel has 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 18 MB shared L3. Memory bus width is quad-channel for AMD and dual-channel for Intel. Memory bandwidth is 256.0 GB/s versus 136.5 GB/s. ECC memory support is present on AMD but absent on Intel.

PCIe support differs: AMD provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while Intel provides Gen 5 with 4 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics are Radeon 8060S for AMD and Arc B370 for Intel. Part numbers are 100-000001979 for AMD and SA4REQ9EW for Intel. The generation labels are Ryzen AI Max (Zen 5 (Strix Halo)) for AMD and Ultra 5 (Panther Lake-H) for Intel. Release dates are January 5, 2026, for AMD and January 4, 2026, for Intel.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 is the clear winner for heavily threaded workloads. Its 24 threads and quad-channel memory give it decisive leads in integer math, data compression, and multithread performance. For users running parallel processing tasks, database operations, or scientific computations, the data shows AMD delivering 57.5% to 134.7% higher scores. The larger shared L3 cache and higher memory bandwidth also support workloads that require frequent data exchange between cores.

The AMD processor also dominates in data encryption, scoring 30% higher, and in extended instructions, with a 91% lead. These results make it the stronger choice for security-related processing and specialized instruction sets. The floating-point advantage of 18.4% further confirms its capability in mathematical modeling and simulation tasks.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H wins only in single-thread performance, with a 6.1% lead. This makes it the better option for workloads that rely on single-core speed, such as older software, certain legacy applications, or tasks with strict sequential dependencies. Its lower 25-watt thermal design power also indicates a lower power envelope, which may be preferable in thermally constrained systems.

Overall, the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 wins 9 of the 11 shared benchmarks, and its average score of 90541 places it in the 96th percentile. The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H, with its 84th percentile ranking, wins only the two single-thread tests. The data confirms that AMD is the dominant processor for multi-core and memory-intensive applications, while Intel retains a narrow edge in single-thread responsiveness.