AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 vs Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX 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 9 275HX has an average benchmark score of 67469. Despite this, the Intel part wins every single head-to-head comparison in the database.

Q: How do the two processors compare in core count and threading?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX has 24 cores and 24 threads, while the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 has 12 cores and 24 threads. Both support the same number of threads, but the Intel chip uses more physical cores with no hyperthreading.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 supports quad-channel LPDDR5X memory with a bandwidth of 256.0 GB/s. The Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX supports dual-channel DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. The AMD part has 2.5 times the memory bandwidth.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX has a boost clock of 5.40 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Intel part also has a higher single-thread PassMark score of 4713 compared to 3927.

Q: What is the process node for each chip?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 is built on a 4 nm process, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX is built on a 3 nm process. Both are fabricated by TSMC.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX does not. The Intel chip has an unlocked multiplier, while the AMD chip does not.

Where Each One Wins

The head-to-head benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX wins all 11 recorded comparisons. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 does not win a single test in the database. However, the AMD part has advantages in the broader specification sheet that do not appear in these specific benchmark runs.

The Intel chip dominates in floating-point math, scoring 191186 versus 99548, a 47.9% advantage. This is the largest margin of victory in the entire comparison. The data encryption test shows a 41% gap in favor of Intel, with scores of 47112 versus 27784. These two tests alone suggest the Intel architecture is significantly stronger in mathematical and cryptographic workloads.

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 wins no direct benchmark, but it offers a substantially higher memory bandwidth of 256.0 GB/s versus 102.4 GB/s. The quad-channel memory bus on the AMD part enables this bandwidth advantage, which could benefit workloads that are memory-bound rather than compute-bound. The AMD chip also supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the Intel part.

In terms of average benchmark score, the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 ranks at the 96th percentile among all CPUs, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX ranks at the 94th percentile. The AMD chip's average score of 90541 places it close to the Intel Xeon 654, which scores 90717 with a delta of -0.2%. The Intel chip's average score of 67469 sits near the Intel Xeon w5-3525, which scores 67673 with a delta of -0.3%.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 uses the Zen 5 architecture under the codename Strix Halo. The Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX uses the Arrow Lake architecture under the codename Arrow Lake-HX. These are fundamentally different design approaches.

The AMD chip has 12 cores and 24 threads, relying on simultaneous multithreading to double thread count. The Intel chip has 24 physical cores and 24 threads, with no SMT. This means the Intel part uses more silicon area for execution resources, while the AMD part uses fewer physical cores but runs two threads per core.

Cache hierarchies differ significantly. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 64 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part has more per-core cache, while the AMD part has nearly double the shared L3 capacity.

The process nodes differ: AMD uses 4 nm, Intel uses 3 nm, both from TSMC. The Intel chip has a die size of 243 mm² and 17,800 million transistors. The AMD chip has a die size of 2x 70.6 mm², with the transistor count not recorded in the database. The Intel die is larger and carries more transistors.

The integrated graphics solutions are distinct. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 features a Radeon 8060S, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX features an Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The AMD part's memory bandwidth advantage of 256.0 GB/s likely feeds its integrated GPU more effectively.

Specification Differences

The socket types differ: the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 uses AMD Socket FP11, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX uses Intel BGA 2114. Both are mobile segments, but they are physically incompatible.

Clock speeds show a mixed picture. The AMD chip has a higher base clock of 3.20 GHz versus 2.70 GHz for Intel. The Intel chip has a higher boost clock of 5.40 GHz versus 5.00 GHz for AMD. The Intel part's 0.40 GHz boost advantage appears in the single-thread benchmark results.

Memory support differs in type and channel configuration. The AMD chip uses LPDDR5X with a quad-channel bus, while the Intel chip uses DDR5 with a dual-channel bus. The resulting bandwidth difference is substantial: 256.0 GB/s versus 102.4 GB/s. ECC memory support is present on the AMD chip and absent on the Intel chip.

PCIe capabilities differ as well. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The Intel part has newer PCIe generation and more lanes.

The multiplier is unlocked on the Intel chip but locked on the AMD chip. The release dates differ by roughly one year: the Intel part was released on 2025-01-12, while the AMD part was released on 2026-01-05. The Intel chip belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2, while the AMD chip has no series designation recorded.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest margin in the entire comparison is in floating-point math. The Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX scores 191186, while the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 scores 99548. This is a 47.9% difference. Floating-point performance is critical for scientific computing, 3D rendering, and physics simulations.

Data encryption shows a 41% gap in favor of Intel. The Intel chip scores 47112, while the AMD chip scores 27784. This is the second-largest margin. Encryption workloads rely on specific instruction sets, and the Intel architecture appears to handle these operations more efficiently.

The multithread test shows an 18.9% advantage for Intel, with scores of 55759 versus 45231. Despite having 12 fewer physical cores, the AMD chip's SMT implementation does not close the gap. The Intel chip's 24 physical cores provide a throughput advantage that SMT cannot fully offset.

Single-thread performance favors Intel by 16.7%. The Intel chip scores 4713, while the AMD chip scores 3927. This aligns with the boost clock difference of 5.40 GHz versus 5.00 GHz. The higher boost clock on the Intel part translates directly into faster single-thread execution.

Random string sorting shows a 20% advantage for Intel, with scores of 74320 versus 59487. The physics test shows a 13.5% advantage for Intel, with scores of 3338 versus 2887. Find prime numbers shows a 28.6% advantage for Intel, with scores of 448 versus 320.

The smallest margins are in integer math and extended instructions. Integer math shows only a 1.8% difference, with Intel scoring 155218 versus AMD's 152414. Extended instructions show a 2.9% difference, with Intel scoring 47016 versus AMD's 45666. Data compression shows an 8.8% difference, with Intel scoring 608381 versus AMD's 554760.

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 wins zero head-to-head comparisons. The Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX wins all 11. However, the AMD chip's average benchmark score of 90541 is higher than the Intel chip's 67469. This discrepancy suggests the average score calculation includes benchmarks beyond the head-to-head set, where the AMD chip's memory bandwidth or other features may contribute differently.

The Verdict

The benchmark data indicates a clear performance hierarchy in the recorded tests. The Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX wins every head-to-head comparison, with margins ranging from 1.8% in integer math to 47.9% in floating-point math. The Intel chip delivers higher single-thread performance, higher multithread performance, and superior results in encryption and compression workloads.

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 offers advantages that do not appear in the head-to-head benchmarks. Its 256.0 GB/s memory bandwidth, quad-channel LPDDR5X support, and ECC memory capability position it differently in the mobile market. The 96th percentile ranking versus the Intel chip's 94th percentile suggests the AMD part performs well in a broader set of benchmarks.

The data indicates the Intel part is the stronger choice for compute-heavy workloads. The 24 physical cores, 5.40 GHz boost clock, and 3 nm process node contribute to wins across all 11 recorded tests. The AMD part is the stronger choice for memory-intensive workloads, given its 2.5 times higher memory bandwidth and ECC support.

The architectural split is clear: Intel uses more physical cores and higher clocks to win compute benchmarks, while AMD uses a smaller core count with SMT and a much wider memory bus. The recorded data shows the Intel approach wins the tested workloads, but the AMD approach may serve different use cases not captured in these specific tests.