AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 vs Intel Core i9-14901E Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a decisive overall victory for the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395, which wins 11 of the 15 recorded head-to-head comparisons. The Intel Core i9-14901E takes 4 wins, all in single-threaded tests, but the margin of victory in those tests is far smaller than the AMD chip's lead in multi-threaded workloads.

Starting with the most lopsided results, the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 dominates in passmark_extended_instructions with a score of 56346 versus 17249 for the Intel, a delta of 226.7%. This is the largest percentage gap in the entire comparison. Data compression also shows a massive split: the AMD scores 690650 against Intel's 288777, a 139.2% advantage. Random string sorting follows a similar pattern, with AMD at 76177 and Intel at 39138, a 94.6% lead.

In the Cinebench R23 multicore test, the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 delivers 35314 points versus 25753 for the Intel Core i9-14901E, a 37.1% advantage. The older Cinebench R15 multicore test shows an even larger gap: AMD scores 5463, Intel scores 2595, a 110.5% difference. PassMark multithread results reinforce this trend, with AMD at 54934 and Intel at 30298, an 81.3% lead.

The AMD chip also wins in several other compute-heavy tasks. Integer math shows AMD at 200665 versus Intel's 112736, a 78% advantage. Floating point math sees AMD at 128682 against Intel's 81089, a 58.7% lead. Data encryption goes to AMD with 35455 versus 18571, a 90.9% margin. Even in find prime numbers, where the scores are low in absolute terms, AMD leads 303 to 189, a 60.3% difference. The physics test is the closest AMD win: 3481 versus 3041, a 14.5% edge.

The Intel Core i9-14901E wins the single-threaded contests, but by much smaller margins. In Cinebench R23 singlecore, Intel scores 3635 against AMD's 2044, a 43.8% lead. Cinebench R15 singlecore shows Intel at 366 versus AMD's 316, a 13.7% margin. PassMark single_thread gives Intel 4354 against AMD's 4147, a 4.8% advantage. The same 4.8% gap appears in the passmark_singlethread result.

Looking at the aggregate scores, the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 has an average benchmark score of 77740, placing it in the 95th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core i9-14901E averages 37911, which puts it in the 86th percentile. The nearest rivals to the AMD chip include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX with an average score of 76513 and a 1.6% delta, and the Intel Core i9-14900K at 79097 with a -1.7% delta. The Intel Core i9-14901E sits close to the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 at 37904 (0% delta) and the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X at 37943 (-0.1% delta).

The Verdict

The data points to two very different processors for two very different roles. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 is the clear choice for anything that scales with core count and thread count. Its 16 cores and 32 threads deliver roughly double the multi-threaded throughput of the Intel chip in several tests, and its 95th percentile ranking confirms that it sits among the fastest CPUs in the database.

The Intel Core i9-14901E wins on single-core responsiveness. Its Cinebench R23 singlecore score of 3635 is 43.8% ahead of the AMD's 2044, which is a substantial gap. For workloads that rely on a single thread, such as older games or lightly threaded applications, the Intel part has a measurable advantage. However, the PassMark single_thread gap is only 4.8%, so the real-world difference may be narrower than the Cinebench numbers suggest.

From the recorded data, the AMD processor is the better all-round performer for productivity, rendering, and data-heavy tasks. The Intel processor is the better choice when single-threaded performance is the primary concern and multi-core scaling is not needed. The average benchmark scores tell the story plainly: 77740 for AMD versus 37911 for Intel, a difference of roughly 105%. Neither chip is a weak option, but they serve opposite ends of the workload spectrum.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 uses the Zen 5 architecture on a 4 nm TSMC process node, with a codename of Strix Halo. It is a mobile part in the Ryzen AI Max generation, built on 2x 70.6 mm² dies. The Intel Core i9-14901E uses the Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm Intel process node, with a codename of Raptor Lake-R, and comes from the Core 14th Gen family. Its die size is 257 mm².

Core counts differ substantially. The AMD chip has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel chip has 8 cores and 16 threads. Both use 80 KB of L1 cache per core, but the L2 cache differs: AMD provides 1 MB per core, Intel provides 2 MB per core. The shared L3 cache also diverges: AMD has 64 MB, Intel has 36 MB.

Memory support is another clear divider. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 supports LPDDR5X memory with a quad-channel bus and 256.0 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The Intel Core i9-14901E supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus, and no memory bandwidth figure is recorded in the database. Both processors support ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity differs by generation. The AMD chip offers Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel chip offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics also differ: AMD includes the Radeon 8060S, Intel includes UHD Graphics 770.

The AMD processor is classified as a mobile part with a TDP of 55, while the Intel is a desktop part with a TDP of 65. The AMD uses AMD Socket FP11, the Intel uses Intel Socket 1700. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier. Release dates place the AMD at 2025-01-05 and the Intel at 2024-06-30.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core i9-14901E has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Which chip wins in multi-threaded benchmarks?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 wins all multi-threaded comparisons in the recorded data. It leads by 37.1% in Cinebench R23 multicore, 110.5% in Cinebench R15 multicore, and 81.3% in PassMark multithread.

Q: Does the Intel chip win any tests?

A: Yes. The Intel Core i9-14901E wins all four single-threaded tests: Cinebench R15 singlecore by 13.7%, Cinebench R23 singlecore by 43.8%, and PassMark single_thread and singlethread by 4.8% each.

Q: What is the difference in average benchmark scores?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 has an average benchmark score of 77740, placing it in the 95th percentile. The Intel Core i9-14901E has an average score of 37911, placing it in the 86th percentile.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 supports LPDDR5X with a quad-channel bus and 256.0 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core i9-14901E supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus.

Q: Which processor has a smaller process node?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 uses a 4 nm TSMC node. The Intel Core i9-14901E uses a 10 nm Intel node.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 wins in every multi-threaded workload recorded in the database. This includes rendering tasks as shown by Cinebench R15 and R23 multicore results, where it leads by 110.5% and 37.1% respectively. Data-heavy operations also favor AMD: data compression shows a 139.2% advantage, data encryption shows 90.9%, and random string sorting shows 94.6%. Math-intensive workloads follow the same pattern, with integer math up 78%, floating point math up 58.7%, and extended instructions up 226.7%. The physics test, while closer at 14.5%, still goes to AMD.

The Intel Core i9-14901E wins in single-threaded scenarios. Its Cinebench R23 singlecore score is 43.8% higher than AMD's, which indicates a strong advantage in applications that cannot use more than one core. The Cinebench R15 singlecore margin is 13.7%, and the PassMark single_thread margin is 4.8%. These wins suggest that the Intel chip is better suited for tasks that depend on a single thread's speed, such as basic desktop responsiveness or older software with limited threading support.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core i9-14901E has 8 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are 3.00 GHz for AMD and 2.80 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks are 5.10 GHz for AMD and 5.60 GHz for Intel. TDP ratings are 55 for AMD and 65 for Intel.

Cache configurations differ. Both have 80 KB L1 per core, but AMD has 1 MB L2 per core and 64 MB shared L3, while Intel has 2 MB L2 per core and 36 MB shared L3.

Memory support is distinct: AMD uses LPDDR5X with quad-channel and 256.0 GB/s bandwidth, Intel uses DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel and no recorded bandwidth figure. Both support ECC memory.

PCIe differs by generation: AMD offers Gen 4 with 16 lanes, Intel offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics are Radeon 8060S for AMD and UHD Graphics 770 for Intel.

Process and socket also differ. AMD uses a 4 nm TSMC node with 2x 70.6 mm² dies and AMD Socket FP11. Intel uses a 10 nm node with a 257 mm² die and Intel Socket 1700. The AMD is a mobile segment part, the Intel is a desktop segment part. Both are production active with locked multipliers. Release dates are 2025-01-05 for AMD and 2024-06-30 for Intel.