AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 vs Intel Core 7 253PE Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data splits these two processors along clear lines. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 wins 3 of the 11 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the Intel Core 7 253PE takes 8. The AMD part is a mobile processor built on TSMC's 4 nm node with Zen 5 architecture, while the Intel part is a desktop chip on Intel's 10 nm process with Bartlett Lake architecture.

For buyers prioritizing raw single-thread performance, the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 is the choice. It leads in PassMark single-thread testing with a score of 3995 against Intel's 3955, a 1% advantage. It also handles extended instruction workloads better, scoring 24333 versus 21806, an 11.6% lead.

For buyers prioritizing multi-threaded throughput, the Intel Core 7 253PE is the clear winner. It beats the AMD part in PassMark multithread testing by 17.2% (29271 versus 24244), and its advantage expands in integer math (30.1% ahead), floating-point math (34.4% ahead), and prime number finding (45.7% ahead). The Intel chip also delivers higher average benchmark scores in its own comparison set, with an average of 40557 across its benchmark suite.

The AMD part holds a higher percentile ranking at 90 versus Intel's 87, meaning it outperforms a larger share of all CPUs in the database. However, that ranking does not translate into head-to-head dominance. The data indicates the Intel Core 7 253PE is the stronger all-around performer for compute-heavy desktop workloads, while the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 is the better option for single-thread responsiveness and extended instruction efficiency in a mobile form factor.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 uses Zen 5 architecture under the Strix Halo codename, built on TSMC's 4 nm process. The Intel Core 7 253PE uses Bartlett Lake architecture on Intel's 10 nm process.

Core counts differ substantially. The AMD chip has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel chip has 10 cores and 20 threads. That 4-core, 8-thread gap explains much of the Intel part's multi-threaded dominance in the benchmark data.

Cache hierarchies diverge as well. Both processors allocate 80 KB of L1 cache per core. The AMD part uses 1 MB of L2 per core, while the Intel part doubles that to 2 MB per core. Shared L3 cache also favors Intel: 33 MB shared versus 16 MB shared on the AMD chip.

Memory support differs by platform generation. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 supports LPDDR5X memory over a dual-channel bus with 128.0 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core 7 253PE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel bus with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. Both processors support ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity shows a generational split. The AMD chip uses PCIe Gen 4 with 16 CPU-only lanes. The Intel chip uses PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU-only lanes.

Integrated graphics differ sharply. The AMD part pairs with the Radeon 8040S, while the Intel part uses UHD Graphics 730. Both are integrated solutions, but the Radeon 8040S is positioned for more demanding visual workloads.

Socket and platform targets differ. The AMD chip uses AMD Socket FP11, a mobile socket, and its market segment is listed as Mobile. The Intel chip uses Intel Socket 1700, a desktop socket, and its market segment is Desktop. The AMD part launched on 2025-01-05, while the Intel part has a release date of 2026-03-08.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PE has 10 cores and 20 threads. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Which processor is faster in single-threaded benchmarks?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 scores 3995 in PassMark single-thread testing, which is 1% ahead of the Intel Core 7 253PE's 3955.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PE boosts to 5.50 GHz. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 boosts to 4.90 GHz.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes. Both the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 and the Intel Core 7 253PE list ECC memory support as true.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PE has 33 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 has 16 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What is the largest benchmark gap between the two processors?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Intel Core 7 253PE scores 138 against the AMD chip's 75, a 45.7% advantage for Intel.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every core specification. Core count: 6 for AMD, 10 for Intel. Thread count: 12 for AMD, 20 for Intel. Base clock: 3.60 GHz for AMD, 2.50 GHz for Intel. Boost clock: 4.90 GHz for AMD, 5.50 GHz for Intel. TDP: 55 watts for AMD, 65 watts for Intel.

L2 cache is 1 MB per core on AMD versus 2 MB per core on Intel. L3 cache is 16 MB shared on AMD versus 33 MB shared on Intel. Memory bandwidth is 128.0 GB/s on AMD versus 89.6 GB/s on Intel. Process node is 4 nm on AMD versus 10 nm on Intel. Foundry is TSMC for AMD versus Intel for Intel.

PCIe generation is Gen 4 on AMD versus Gen 5 on Intel, both with 16 CPU-only lanes. Integrated graphics are Radeon 8040S on AMD versus UHD Graphics 730 on Intel. Memory support is LPDDR5X on AMD versus DDR4 and DDR5 on Intel.

Socket is AMD Socket FP11 on AMD versus Intel Socket 1700 on Intel. Market segment is Mobile for AMD versus Desktop for Intel. The AMD part has a part number of 100-000001425, while the Intel part uses SA4QE. The Intel Core 7 253PE has a launch MSRP of $384. The AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP.

Both processors are locked, with multiplier unlock set to false. Both are active in production. The AMD chip belongs to the Ryzen AI Max PRO (Zen 5) generation, while the Intel chip belongs to the Core 7 (Bartlett Lake) generation.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core 7 253PE dominates the head-to-head comparison, winning 8 of 11 tests. Its largest win comes in PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 138 against the AMD chip's 75, a 45.7% advantage. That result aligns with the Intel part's higher core count and higher boost clock.

Floating-point math shows a similarly large gap. The Intel chip scores 80870 against 53084 for AMD, a 34.4% lead. Integer math follows the same pattern: Intel scores 114158 against 79789, a 30.1% advantage. These two results indicate the Intel part handles sustained arithmetic workloads far more effectively.

The physics test also favors Intel decisively. Intel scores 1845 against AMD's 1120, a 39.3% lead. Multithread performance shows Intel ahead by 17.2%, with scores of 29271 versus 24244. Data encryption gives Intel a 21.1% edge (18385 versus 14502), and data compression gives Intel a 13.4% edge (339133 versus 293595). Random string sorting is closer, with Intel ahead by only 5% (32777 versus 31153).

The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 wins 3 tests. Its strongest win is in extended instructions, where it scores 24333 against Intel's 21806, an 11.6% lead. That result suggests the AMD architecture handles AVX-style or specialized instruction workloads more efficiently. The AMD chip also edges Intel in both single-thread tests, scoring 3995 against 3955, a 1% margin.

The benchmark breakdown shows a clear division of labor. Intel wins every test that rewards raw throughput and parallel execution. AMD wins the tests that reward single-thread speed and instruction-set efficiency. The Intel part's 10 cores and 20 threads give it a structural advantage in multi-threaded scenarios, while the AMD part's Zen 5 design and 4 nm process deliver superior per-thread performance.

In the database's broader context, the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 sits at the 90th percentile of all CPUs and averages 48171 in its benchmark set. Its nearest rivals are the Intel Core Ultra 5 235A (0.1% behind), the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX (0.2% behind), the AMD Ryzen 9 3900 (0.5% ahead), and the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X3D (0.5% ahead). The Intel Core 7 253PE sits at the 87th percentile and averages 40557, with its nearest rivals being the Intel Core 5 223PE (0.1% behind), the Intel Core Ultra X7 368H (0.1% ahead), the Intel Xeon 6357P (0.2% behind), and the AMD Ryzen 9 7940H (0.3% ahead).

Those percentile and rival comparisons place the AMD part in a slightly higher overall performance class despite losing the head-to-head. The explanation lies in the test composition: the AMD chip's single-thread and extended-instruction wins carry weight in the aggregate, while the Intel part's massive multi-threaded margins dominate direct comparisons.