AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus Comparison
AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395
Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus
The Verdict
The recorded data splits this comparison into two distinct usage profiles. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 wins 7 of 15 head-to-head benchmarks, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus wins 8. The Intel part holds the overall average benchmark advantage in the database at 66,159 versus 77,740 for AMD, but that figure is skewed by the AMD part's much higher average score, which includes its PassMark integer and data workloads. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 sits at the 95th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus sits at the 93rd. The data indicates the AMD part is the choice for integer-heavy compute and data compression workloads, while the Intel part dominates single-threaded tasks and floating-point math. The AMD processor is a mobile part with a 55 W TDP and integrated Radeon 8060S graphics; the Intel processor is a desktop part with a 125 W TDP and no integrated graphics. Users on a mobile platform with a need for data processing should select the AMD part, while desktop users prioritizing single-core speed should select the Intel part.
Architecture Differences
The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 uses the Zen 5 architecture on a 4 nm TSMC process with the Strix Halo codename. It is a 16-core, 32-thread processor with 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 64 MB of shared L3 cache. The die size is listed as 2x 70.6 mm². It uses LPDDR5X memory in a quad-channel configuration with 256.0 GB/s of memory bandwidth, and it supports ECC memory. PCIe connectivity is Gen 4 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The integrated graphics are Radeon 8060S. The socket is AMD Socket FP11, and the multiplier is locked. Release date was January 5, 2025.
The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus uses the Arrow Lake Refresh codename on a 3 nm TSMC process. It is an 18-core, 18-thread processor with 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 30 MB of shared L3 cache. The transistor count is 17,800 million, and the die size is 243 mm². It uses DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration with 115.2 GB/s of memory bandwidth, and it supports ECC memory. PCIe connectivity is Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU. There is no integrated graphics. The socket is Intel Socket 1851, and the multiplier is unlocked. Release date was March 10, 2026. The launch MSRP is $184.
The architecture differences are substantial. AMD pairs twice the threads with a much larger L3 cache and over twice the memory bandwidth, while Intel uses a smaller process node, a much higher base clock, and a higher boost clock. Intel's per-core L1 and L2 caches are larger. AMD's memory bandwidth advantage (256.0 GB/s versus 115.2 GB/s) directly feeds its data-heavy benchmark wins. Intel's PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes contrasts with AMD's Gen 4 with 16 lanes.
Where Each One Wins
The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 wins in integer math, data compression, extended instructions, multithreaded PassMark, physics, and random string sorting. Its largest wins are in PassMark integer math (63.1% ahead) and extended instructions (31.4% ahead). The data compression score of 690,650 versus 553,155 is a 24.9% advantage. The multithread PassMark score of 54,934 versus 50,146 shows a 9.5% lead, and the physics score of 3,481 versus 3,183 is a 9.4% lead. Random string sorting shows a 13.3% advantage at 76,177 versus 67,209.
The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus wins in single-core tests, floating-point math, data encryption, prime number finding, and the Cinebench R23 multi-core test. The single-thread PassMark score of 4,698 versus 4,147 is an 11.7% lead. The Cinebench R23 single-core score of 6,030 versus 2,044 is a 66.1% lead, and the R15 single-core score of 607 versus 316 is a 47.9% lead. The floating-point math score of 159,824 versus 128,682 is a 19.5% lead. The data encryption score of 41,292 versus 35,455 is a 14.1% lead. Prime number finding shows a 33% lead at 452 versus 303. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 42,718 versus 35,314 is a 17.3% lead.
The data shows a clear split: AMD wins where large data sets and integer operations matter, Intel wins where single-thread latency and floating-point throughput matter. The Intel part's higher boost clock (5.30 GHz versus 5.10 GHz) aligns with its single-core wins, while AMD's thread count and cache size align with its multithreaded and data-heavy wins.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has more threads?
A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 has 32 threads from 16 cores. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has 18 threads from 18 cores.
Q: Which processor has a higher single-core benchmark score?
A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has higher single-core scores in all recorded tests. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score is 6,030 versus 2,044 for AMD, and its PassMark single-thread score is 4,698 versus 4,147.
Q: Which processor has a higher multi-core Cinebench R23 score?
A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus, with 42,718 versus 35,314 for the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395, a 17.3% difference. However, AMD wins the PassMark multithread test at 54,934 versus 50,146.
Q: What memory types do the two processors support?
A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 supports LPDDR5X in a quad-channel configuration with 256.0 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus supports DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration with 115.2 GB/s bandwidth.
Q: Does either processor include integrated graphics?
A: Only the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 includes integrated graphics, the Radeon 8060S. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has no integrated graphics (N/A).
Q: Which processor has a higher percentile ranking among all CPUs?
A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 ranks at the 95th percentile, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus ranks at the 93rd percentile. The AMD part also has a higher average benchmark score of 77,740 versus 66,159.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The largest single win for the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 is in PassMark integer math, where it scores 200,665 against 123,030 for the Intel part, a 63.1% lead. This is the biggest delta in the entire comparison. The second largest AMD win is extended instructions at 56,346 versus 42,880, a 31.4% lead. Data compression follows at 690,650 versus 553,155, a 24.9% lead. The Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows AMD ahead at 5,463 versus 4,305, a 26.9% lead. Random string sorting goes to AMD at 76,177 versus 67,209, a 13.3% lead. PassMark multithread goes to AMD at 54,934 versus 50,146, a 9.5% lead, and physics goes to AMD at 3,481 versus 3,183, a 9.4% lead.
The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has its largest win in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 6,030 against 2,044 for AMD, a 66.1% lead. The Cinebench R15 single-core shows Intel ahead at 607 versus 316, a 47.9% lead. Prime number finding goes to Intel at 452 versus 303, a 33% lead. Floating-point math goes to Intel at 159,824 versus 128,682, a 19.5% lead. Data encryption goes to Intel at 41,292 versus 35,455, a 14.1% lead. PassMark single-thread goes to Intel at 4,698 versus 4,147, an 11.7% lead. The Cinebench R23 multi-core goes to Intel at 42,718 versus 35,314, a 17.3% lead.
The two processors trade wins across the benchmark suite. AMD wins 7 tests, Intel wins 8 tests. The Intel part has the higher single-thread score in every single-thread test, but the AMD part has the higher score in every data-processing and integer-heavy test. The multi-core Cinebench results are split: Intel wins R23 multi-core, AMD wins R15 multi-core. The PassMark multithread test favors AMD.
Specification Differences
The two processors differ in every major specification field. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has 18 cores and 18 threads. Base clock differs at 3.00 GHz for AMD versus 4.20 GHz for Intel. Boost clock differs at 5.10 GHz for AMD versus 5.30 GHz for Intel. TDP differs at 55 W for AMD versus 125 W for Intel. The AMD part uses a 4 nm process, the Intel part uses a 3 nm process. The AMD die size is 2x 70.6 mm², the Intel die size is 243 mm². The Intel part has 17,800 million transistors; the AMD part has no listed transistor count.
Cache differs substantially. AMD has 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 64 MB shared L3. Intel has 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 30 MB shared L3. Memory support differs: LPDDR5X for AMD versus DDR5 for Intel. Memory bus differs: quad-channel for AMD versus dual-channel for Intel. Memory bandwidth differs: 256.0 GB/s for AMD versus 115.2 GB/s for Intel. Both support ECC memory. PCIe differs: Gen 4 with 16 lanes for AMD versus Gen 5 with 20 lanes for Intel. Integrated graphics differ: Radeon 8060S for AMD versus N/A for Intel. Market segment differs: mobile for AMD versus desktop for Intel. The multiplier is locked on AMD and unlocked on Intel. Sockets differ: AMD Socket FP11 versus Intel Socket 1851. The part numbers differ: 100-000001099 for AMD versus SA4V3 for Intel. The launch MSRP for Intel is $184; AMD has no listed launch MSRP. Release dates differ: January 5, 2025 for AMD versus March 10, 2026 for Intel.