AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 vs Intel Core Ultra X7 358H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 and Intel Core Ultra X7 358H split their eleven head-to-head PassMark tests, with AMD taking six wins and Intel taking five. The margin of victory varies dramatically by workload, revealing distinct strengths.

AMD's largest advantage appears in passmark_integer_math, where it scores 152414 against Intel's 83147, a lead of 83.3%. This is the single biggest delta in the entire comparison. The AMD processor also dominates passmark_extended_instructions with a score of 45666 versus 27274, a 67.4% advantage. Data compression shows a similar pattern, with AMD scoring 554760 compared to Intel's 332508, a 66.8% gap. These three tests alone establish AMD's clear superiority in integer-heavy and compression-oriented tasks.

The AMD chip also wins passmark_multithread with 45231 points against 33802, a 33.8% margin. In random string sorting, AMD leads 59487 to 40357, a 47.4% difference. The smallest AMD win appears in data encryption, where it scores 27784 versus 26046, just 6.7% ahead.

Intel's wins are narrower but consistent across several categories. The Core Ultra X7 358H takes passmark_single_thread with 4124 points versus AMD's 3927, a 4.8% edge. The same margin appears in the duplicate passmark_singlethread test. In find prime numbers, Intel wins 337 to 320, a 5% advantage. Floating point math goes to Intel by a 4.1% margin, 103842 versus 99548. Physics also favors Intel, 3021 to 2887, a 4.4% gap.

The pattern is clear: AMD wins all but one test by substantial double-digit margins, while Intel wins its five tests by single-digit margins. The exception is data encryption, where AMD's 6.7% edge is the only AMD win below 30%. Intel's victories are concentrated in workloads that benefit from higher per-core efficiency and lower thread counts, while AMD's wins come from raw throughput and parallel execution.

When placed against their respective nearest rivals in the database, the two processors occupy different performance tiers. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 sits at the 96th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 90541. Its closest rival, the Intel Xeon 654, scores 90717, a delta of -0.2%. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX sits 0.7% higher at 91199. The Intel Xeon w7-2575X trails by 2.7%, and the Intel Xeon 6736P trails by 3%. The AMD part is essentially level with high-end workstation silicon.

The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H holds the 87th percentile, with an average score of 40967. Its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440, scores 41208, a -0.6% delta. The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H sits at 41215, also -0.6%. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G trails by 0.6%, and the Intel Core Ultra 7 366H leads by 0.7%. Intel's position is mid-range, roughly 55% below AMD's average score in raw terms.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge fundamentally in design philosophy. AMD uses the Zen 5 architecture on a 4 nm TSMC process node, with the codename Strix Halo. Intel uses a 3 nm Intel process node with the Panther Lake codename, part of the Core Ultra Series 3 generation. These process differences affect power efficiency and thermal characteristics, though the database does not record direct efficiency measurements.

Core counts differ: AMD provides 12 cores and 24 threads, while Intel provides 16 cores and 16 threads. The AMD chip uses simultaneous multithreading, doubling its thread count, while Intel does not. This explains AMD's multithread advantage despite fewer physical cores. AMD's base clock is 3.20 GHz with a boost of 5.00 GHz. Intel's base clock is 1.90 GHz with a boost of 4.80 GHz. AMD starts higher and boosts higher, but Intel's lower base clock contributes to its lower 25 watt TDP versus AMD's 55 watt TDP.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. AMD allocates 80 KB L1 per core and 1 MB L2 per core, plus 64 MB shared L3. Intel allocates 192 KB L1 per core and 3 MB L2 per core, but only 18 MB shared L3. AMD's larger L3 provides a significant capacity advantage for shared data, while Intel's per-core L1 and L2 are larger. The database does not indicate which cache configuration causes specific benchmark outcomes, but the data shows AMD leads in compression and sorting tasks, which often benefit from large shared caches.

Memory support differs. Both support LPDDR5X, but AMD uses a quad-channel memory bus with 256.0 GB/s bandwidth, while Intel uses dual-channel with 153.6 GB/s. AMD's memory bandwidth is 66.7% higher, which likely contributes to its data compression and sorting advantages. AMD also supports ECC memory; Intel does not.

PCIe capabilities differ. AMD uses Gen 4 with 16 lanes, while Intel uses Gen 5 with 4 lanes. Intel's newer standard offers faster per-lane throughput but fewer total lanes. Integrated graphics also differ: AMD uses the Radeon 8060S, while Intel uses the Arc B390. The database does not record GPU benchmark scores for either part.

Physical specifications show AMD's die size is 2x 70.6 mm², while Intel's die size is not recorded in the database. Both use different sockets: AMD Socket FP11 versus Intel BGA 2540. AMD's part number is 100-000001979; Intel's is SA4RAQ9ET. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Release dates are one day apart, with Intel recorded as 2026-01-04 and AMD as 2026-01-05. Both are marked as Active in production status and target the Mobile market segment.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-thread score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H scores 4124 in passmark_single_thread, while the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 scores 3927. Intel leads by 4.8%.

Q: How large is AMD's multithread advantage?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 scores 45231 in passmark_multithread versus Intel's 33802, a 33.8% lead. AMD achieves this with 12 cores and 24 threads, while Intel has 16 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Does Intel win any benchmark categories?

A: Yes, Intel wins five of eleven head-to-head tests: passmark_find_prime_numbers by 5%, passmark_floating_point_math by 4.1%, passmark_physics by 4.4%, and passmark_single_thread plus its duplicate by 4.8%.

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

A: The largest delta is in passmark_integer_math, where AMD scores 152414 versus Intel's 83147, an 83.3% advantage. AMD also leads extended instructions by 67.4% and data compression by 66.8%.

Q: Do these processors support the same memory type?

A: Both support LPDDR5X, but AMD uses a quad-channel bus with 256.0 GB/s bandwidth, while Intel uses dual-channel with 153.6 GB/s. AMD also supports ECC memory, which Intel does not.

Q: How do the two processors rank among all CPUs?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 is at the 96th percentile with an average benchmark score of 90541. The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H is at the 87th percentile with an average score of 40967.

Specification Differences

The database records the following specification differences between the two processors:

• Cores: AMD has 12, Intel has 16.
• Threads: AMD has 24, Intel has 16.
• Base Clock: AMD runs at 3.20 GHz, Intel at 1.90 GHz.
• Boost Clock: AMD reaches 5.00 GHz, Intel reaches 4.80 GHz.
• TDP: AMD is rated at 55 watts, Intel at 25 watts.
• Socket: AMD uses AMD Socket FP11, Intel uses Intel BGA 2540.
• Architecture: AMD uses Zen 5, Intel's architecture is not recorded.
• Codename: AMD is Strix Halo, Intel is Panther Lake.
• Generation: AMD is Ryzen AI Max, Intel is Ultra X7 (Panther Lake-H).
• Process Node: AMD uses 4 nm TSMC, Intel uses 3 nm Intel.
• Foundry: AMD uses TSMC, Intel uses Intel.
• Die Size: AMD records 2x 70.6 mm², Intel has no recorded value.
• L1 Cache: AMD has 80 KB per core, Intel has 192 KB per core.
• L2 Cache: AMD has 1 MB per core, Intel has 3 MB per core.
• L3 Cache: AMD has 64 MB shared, Intel has 18 MB shared.
• Memory Bus: AMD uses quad-channel, Intel uses dual-channel.
• Memory Bandwidth: AMD records 256.0 GB/s, Intel records 153.6 GB/s.
• ECC Memory: AMD supports it, Intel does not.
• PCIe: AMD uses Gen 4 with 16 lanes, Intel uses Gen 5 with 4 lanes.
• Integrated Graphics: AMD uses Radeon 8060S, Intel uses Arc B390.
• Part Number: AMD is 100-000001979, Intel is SA4RAQ9ET.
• Release Date: AMD is 2026-01-05, Intel is 2026-01-04.

Both processors share LPDDR5X memory support, Mobile market segment, Active production status, and locked multipliers. Neither has a recorded launch MSRP.

The Verdict

The benchmark data indicates the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 is the stronger overall processor. Its average benchmark score of 90541 places it at the 96th percentile, while the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H averages 40967 at the 87th percentile. AMD wins six of eleven head-to-head tests, and its wins are substantially larger than Intel's. The AMD chip leads by 83.3% in integer math, 67.4% in extended instructions, 66.8% in data compression, 47.4% in random string sorting, and 33.8% in multithread performance. These are not marginal advantages; they represent a different performance class.

The Intel processor wins five tests, but its largest margin is only 5% in prime number finding. Intel's single-thread lead of 4.8% and physics lead of 4.4% are real but modest. The Intel part's lower TDP of 25 watts versus AMD's 55 watts indicates a power efficiency advantage, which may matter in thermally constrained mobile chassis, but the database does not record efficiency metrics beyond TDP.

The AMD processor's quad-channel memory with 256.0 GB/s bandwidth versus Intel's dual-channel 153.6 GB/s likely explains the compression and sorting wins. The 64 MB shared L3 cache versus Intel's 18 MB also favors AMD in data-heavy workloads. Intel's larger per-core L1 and L2 caches may contribute to its single-thread edge.

For users prioritizing raw throughput, parallel workloads, and memory bandwidth, the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 is the clear choice. For those needing lower power draw and slightly better single-thread performance, the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H has specific advantages. The data does not support a recommendation for Intel based on performance alone; its wins are too narrow to offset AMD's dominant multi-thread margins.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 wins in every workload that involves substantial parallel data movement or integer computation. Integer math, extended instructions, data compression, random string sorting, and multithread performance all favor AMD by wide margins. The 256.0 GB/s quad-channel memory bandwidth and 64 MB shared L3 cache provide the infrastructure for these wins. Any task that compresses files, sorts large datasets, or executes encryption routines will benefit from AMD's architecture. The 12 cores with 24 threads handle parallel workloads effectively, as shown by the 33.8% multithread lead.

The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H wins in lighter, latency-sensitive workloads. Single-thread performance leads by 4.8%, which matters for applications that scale poorly across cores. Prime number finding, floating point math, and physics simulations all favor Intel, with margins between 4.1% and 5%. The larger per-core L1 and L2 caches, 192 KB and 3 MB respectively, likely reduce memory latency for these tasks. The 25 watt TDP also makes the Intel part more suitable for power-constrained systems, though the database does not record thermal performance.

The AMD processor's 55 watt TDP and 2x 70.6 mm² die size indicate a larger, more power-hungry chip. The Intel processor's 3 nm process node and smaller footprint make it a viable option for slim laptops where cooling is limited. However, the performance data shows that choosing Intel for these reasons means accepting substantial sacrifices in multithread throughput. The Intel part's average benchmark score is less than half of AMD's, 40967 versus 90541, which places them in entirely different performance brackets despite the close head-to-head win counts.