AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 vs Intel Core Ultra X9 378H Comparison

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 and Intel Core Ultra X9 378H represent two distinct approaches to high-performance mobile computing. The database records show the AMD part winning 10 of 15 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the Intel chip takes 5. The AMD processor posts an average benchmark score of 77740, placing it in the 95th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel part averages 47468 and sits in the 89th percentile. These figures indicate that while both are capable mobile processors, the AMD chip delivers substantially higher aggregate throughput, though the Intel part counters with notable single-thread advantages.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-threaded performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 dominates in multi-threaded tests. It scores 35314 in Cinebench R23 multi-core versus 32553 for the Intel Core Ultra X9 378H, a margin of 8.5%. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD part leads by a much larger 66.5% margin, scoring 5463 against 3281.

Q: How do the two chips compare in single-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H leads in every single-thread benchmark recorded. It scores 4595 in Cinebench R23 single-core versus 2044 for the AMD chip, a 55.5% advantage. In Cinebench R15 single-core, Intel leads 462 to 316 (31.6% ahead), and in PassMark single-thread, Intel scores 4453 against 4147 (6.9% ahead).

Q: What are the core and thread configurations?

A: Both processors feature 16 cores. However, the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 supports 32 threads via simultaneous multithreading, while the Intel Core Ultra X9 378H has 16 threads with no multithreading capability, giving the AMD part a 2:1 thread ratio.

Q: Which chip has the larger cache hierarchy?

A: The AMD processor offers 64 MB of shared L3 cache and 1 MB of L2 per core. The Intel chip provides 18 MB of shared L3 and 2.5 MB of L2 per core. Intel's L1 cache is 192 KB per core, while AMD's is 80 KB per core.

Q: What process nodes do the two processors use?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 is fabricated on a 4 nm process by TSMC. The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H uses a 3 nm process from Intel's own foundry. This gives Intel a smaller transistor geometry.

Q: How do the integrated graphics compare?

A: The AMD chip integrates a Radeon 8060S graphics solution, while the Intel part features an Arc B390. The database does not include graphics benchmark scores, so a direct performance comparison is not possible from the recorded data.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 is built on the Zen 5 architecture under the Strix Halo codename, using a 4 nm TSMC process. It features 16 cores and 32 threads, with a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. Cache allocation includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of shared L3. Memory support is LPDDR5X over a quad-channel bus, yielding 256.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The chip also supports ECC memory. Its PCIe implementation is Gen 4 with 16 lanes for the CPU.

The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H is part of the Core Ultra Series 3, based on the Panther Lake codename (Panther Lake-H). It uses a 3 nm Intel foundry process. The chip has 16 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. L1 cache is 192 KB per core, L2 is 2.5 MB per core, and L3 is 18 MB shared. Memory support is LPDDR5X through a dual-channel bus, delivering 153.6 GB/s of bandwidth. ECC memory is not supported. PCIe connectivity is Gen 5 with only 4 lanes for the CPU.

The most significant architectural contrast is threading: AMD implements SMT to double threads, while Intel does not. The AMD chip also offers substantially more L3 cache and memory bandwidth, while Intel counters with a denser process node, higher per-core L1/L2 cache, and a newer PCIe generation. The Intel part consumes a lower TDP of 25 watts versus 55 watts for AMD, which suggests a more power-efficient design for sustained mobile operation.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 claims the majority of benchmark wins, with 10 victories against 5 for the Intel chip. The largest AMD margin comes in PassMark integer math, where it scores 200665 versus 92603, a 116.7% advantage. This indicates a massive throughput advantage for arithmetic-heavy workloads, likely driven by the extra threads and higher memory bandwidth.

In PassMark extended instructions, AMD leads 56346 to 31315, a 79.9% edge. Data compression shows a 78.7% lead for AMD (690650 versus 386591), and random string sorting is 70.6% ahead (76177 versus 44648). These results point to strong performance in data manipulation and algorithmic tasks. PassMark multi-thread favors AMD at 54934 versus 38298, a 43.4% lead. Floating-point math shows AMD ahead 128682 to 114500 (12.4%), while data encryption is closer, with AMD winning 35455 to 29840 (18.8%). The narrowest AMD win is in PassMark physics, 3481 to 3404, a 2.3% margin.

The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H wins all single-thread tests decisively. Cinebench R23 single-core shows Intel at 4595 versus 2044 for AMD, a 55.5% lead. Cinebench R15 single-core is 462 versus 316, a 31.6% advantage. PassMark single-thread (and the duplicate singlethread entry) records Intel at 4453 versus 4147, a 6.9% lead. Intel also wins PassMark find prime numbers, scoring 357 against 303, a 15.1% edge.

The Cinebench R23 multi-core result is notable: despite AMD's huge thread advantage, Intel stays within 8.5%, scoring 32553 versus 35314. This suggests Intel's single-thread efficiency partially compensates for its lack of SMT in that workload. However, the older Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows a massive 66.5% AMD lead, indicating that the scaling pattern depends heavily on the benchmark version and its threading model.

Specification Differences

• Threads: AMD has 32 threads, Intel has 16.
• Base Clock: AMD runs at 3.00 GHz, Intel at 2.00 GHz.
• Boost Clock: AMD boosts to 5.10 GHz, Intel to 5.00 GHz.
• TDP: AMD is rated at 55 watts, Intel at 25 watts.
• Socket: AMD uses AMD Socket FP11, Intel uses Intel BGA 2540.
• Process Node: AMD uses 4 nm TSMC, Intel uses 3 nm Intel.
• Foundry: AMD uses TSMC, Intel uses its own foundry.
• L1 Cache: AMD has 80 KB per core, Intel has 192 KB per core.
• L2 Cache: AMD has 1 MB per core, Intel has 2.5 MB per core.
• L3 Cache: AMD has 64 MB shared, Intel has 18 MB shared.
• Memory Bus: AMD is quad-channel, Intel is dual-channel.
• Memory Bandwidth: AMD offers 256.0 GB/s, Intel offers 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 has Radeon 8060S, Intel has Arc B390.
• Release Date: AMD launched on 2025-01-05, Intel on 2026-04-03.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 is the clear winner for heavily multi-threaded, data-intensive workloads. The 32-thread configuration, 64 MB of L3 cache, and 256.0 GB/s memory bandwidth align with tasks such as video encoding, large-scale data compression, scientific simulation, and integer-heavy calculation. The 116.7% lead in integer math and 79.9% lead in extended instructions confirm that this chip excels in computational throughput tasks. The quad-channel memory interface provides a significant advantage for workloads that stream large data sets, which is reflected in the 78.7% data compression win and 70.6% random string sorting win. For users running parallel applications that scale across many threads, the AMD part delivers the highest aggregate performance.

The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H wins in single-thread-bound scenarios and latency-sensitive applications. The 55.5% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 31.6% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core indicate superior per-thread execution, likely from the higher L1 and L2 cache per core and the denser 3 nm process. The 15.1% win in prime number finding suggests strength in workloads with irregular memory access patterns. The lower 25 watt TDP also points to better efficiency for sustained single-thread operation in thin-and-light mobile chassis. Applications such as legacy software, lightly threaded compilers, or interactive workloads that depend on a single fast core would favor the Intel part.

The PassMark physics result, where AMD wins by only 2.3%, indicates near-parity in certain physics simulation tasks. This suggests that for some mixed workloads, the two processors are essentially equivalent. The Cinebench R23 multi-core result also shows Intel remaining competitive within 8.5% despite having half the threads, which means that in moderately threaded workloads with good single-thread scaling, Intel can keep pace. However, the overall average benchmark score of 77740 for AMD versus 47468 for Intel, coupled with the 95th versus 89th percentile ranking, confirms that the AMD processor provides a higher level of overall performance in the database's recorded tests.