AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 vs Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data splits these two mobile processors into clearly distinct roles. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 wins 3 of the 11 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus wins 8. The AMD part takes its victories in data compression, extended instructions, and integer math, which points to workloads that favor its larger L3 cache and Zen 5 architecture. The Intel part dominates in floating-point math, prime number finding, encryption, physics, and single-thread performance, which indicates a strong general-purpose and compute-heavy profile.

The average benchmark score tells a different story than the head-to-head wins. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 records an average benchmark score of 90541, placing it in the 96th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus has an average benchmark score of 61834, placing it in the 93rd percentile. The AMD processor sits within 0.2% of the Intel Xeon 654 and 0.7% of the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX, while the Intel processor matches the Intel Core i9-13900KF exactly at 0% delta. The AMD chip is the higher-performing overall part by the aggregate metric, but the Intel chip wins more individual tests due to its strengths in specific math and encryption workloads.

For users running integer-heavy or compression-heavy code, the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 is the clear choice. For users running floating-point math, encryption, physics simulations, or single-threaded applications, the Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus delivers better results. The AMD processor is the better all-around CPU by average score, but the Intel processor wins the majority of the measured tasks.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 uses the Zen 5 architecture on the Strix Halo codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. It has 12 cores and 24 threads, with a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The cache layout includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of shared L3. The memory subsystem uses LPDDR5X in a quad-channel configuration, delivering 256.0 GB/s of bandwidth, and it supports ECC memory. The package is AMD Socket FP11, and the integrated graphics are the Radeon 8060S. The CPU uses Gen 4 PCIe with 16 lanes.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus uses the Arrow Lake-HX Refresh codename from the Core Ultra Series 2 generation, built on a 3 nm process at TSMC. It has 20 cores and 20 threads, which means no hyperthreading, with a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. The cache layout includes 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3. The memory subsystem uses DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration, delivering 102.4 GB/s of bandwidth, and it does not support ECC memory. The package is Intel BGA 2114, and the integrated graphics are the Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The CPU uses Gen 5 PCIe with 20 lanes, and the multiplier is unlocked. The Intel die is 243 mm² with 17,800 million transistors, while the AMD die is 2x 70.6 mm².

The core count difference is significant: the Intel part has 20 cores versus 12 for AMD, but the AMD part has 24 threads versus 20 for Intel. The AMD L3 cache is more than double the Intel L3 cache at 64 MB versus 30 MB. The memory bandwidth difference is also large: 256.0 GB/s for AMD versus 102.4 GB/s for Intel. The Intel boost clock is higher at 5.30 GHz versus 5.00 GHz, and the Intel process node is smaller at 3 nm versus 4 nm. Both parts have a 55 W TDP.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 wins in data compression with a score of 554760 versus 493179, a 12.5% lead. It also wins in extended instructions with 45666 versus 39283, a 16.2% lead, and in integer math with 152414 versus 122449, a 24.5% lead. These results align with the larger 64 MB L3 cache and the Zen 5 architecture, which favors integer-heavy and instruction-dense workloads.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus wins in floating-point math with 163567 versus 99548, a 39.1% lead, which is its largest margin. It also wins in prime number finding with 482 versus 320, a 33.6% lead, and in data encryption with 37813 versus 27784, a 26.5% lead. The Intel part wins in physics with 3843 versus 2887, a 24.9% lead, and in single-thread performance with 4764 versus 3927, a 17.6% lead. The multithread score goes to Intel at 48270 versus 45231, a 6.3% lead, and random string sorting is nearly tied at 60020 versus 59487, a 0.9% lead for Intel.

The Intel part holds the single-thread advantage, which is notable given its higher boost clock of 5.30 GHz. The AMD part has no single-thread win in the recorded data. The AMD part also loses the multithread test despite having 24 threads to Intel's 20, which indicates that thread count alone does not determine the outcome in this comparison.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 has an average benchmark score of 90541, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus has an average benchmark score of 61834.

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus has 20 cores and 20 threads.

Q: Which processor wins in single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus wins in single-thread performance with a score of 4764 versus 3927 for AMD, a 17.6% lead.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 has 256.0 GB/s of memory bandwidth in a quad-channel LPDDR5X configuration. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus has 102.4 GB/s in a dual-channel DDR5 configuration.

Q: Which processor has the larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 has 64 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus has 30 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor wins the most head-to-head tests?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus wins 8 of the 11 head-to-head tests. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 wins 3.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest margin in the entire comparison is in floating-point math. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus scores 163567, which is 39.1% ahead of the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 at 99548. This is a dominant win and shows a clear advantage in FPU-heavy tasks. The Intel part also leads by 33.6% in prime number finding, with 482 versus 320, which suggests a strong advantage in algorithms that rely on fast integer division and modular arithmetic.

Data encryption goes to Intel by 26.5%, with 37813 versus 27784. Physics follows with a 24.9% lead for Intel, 3843 versus 2887. The integer math test is the AMD part's largest win: 152414 versus 122449, a 24.5% lead. Extended instructions go to AMD by 16.2%, 45666 versus 39283. Data compression goes to AMD by 12.5%, 554760 versus 493179.

The multithread test is closer. Intel scores 48270, which is 6.3% ahead of AMD at 45231. This is notable because the AMD part has 24 threads to Intel's 20, yet still loses the multithread aggregate. Random string sorting is nearly even, with Intel at 60020 and AMD at 59487, a 0.9% difference. Single-thread performance is the same in both recorded tests: Intel at 4764 versus AMD at 3927, a 17.6% lead.

The pattern is consistent: AMD wins where large cache and integer throughput matter, and Intel wins where raw clock speed and floating-point throughput matter. The AMD part's 64 MB L3 cache and 256.0 GB/s memory bandwidth likely contribute to its compression and integer wins. The Intel part's 5.30 GHz boost clock and 3 nm process likely contribute to its single-thread and floating-point wins. The average benchmark score of 90541 for AMD versus 61834 for Intel places the AMD part in the 96th percentile and the Intel part in the 93rd percentile, but the head-to-head record favors Intel by a wide margin.