AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 vs Intel Core Ultra 7 265T Comparison

The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 and Intel Core Ultra 7 265T are both active 2025 processors that land at the 90th percentile of all CPUs, yet they approach performance from completely different directions. The AMD part is a 6-core mobile chip built on Zen 5, while the Intel part is a 20-core desktop chip built on Arrow Lake. Their average benchmark scores are nearly identical—48171 for the AMD and 47697 for the Intel—but the distribution of those scores could not be more lopsided. In the head-to-head benchmark set, the Intel Core Ultra 7 265T wins all 11 tests, with the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 failing to secure a single victory.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic gap appears in the passmark_find_prime_numbers test, where the Intel Core Ultra 7 265T scores 322 against the AMD’s 75, a delta of -76.7% for the AMD. This is a workload that heavily rewards the Intel’s 20 threads and higher boost clock of 5.30 GHz. The AMD’s 6 cores and 12 threads, despite a 3.60 GHz base clock, cannot keep pace in this integer-heavy calculation. Similarly, in passmark_floating_point_math, the Intel more than doubles the AMD—129817 versus 53084—a 59.1% deficit for the AMD. The raw thread count advantage is the obvious driver here, as floating-point throughput scales almost linearly with core count in this benchmark.

The encryption test shows another massive divergence. The Intel scores 29687 in passmark_data_encryption, while the AMD manages only 14502, a 51.2% gap. This is notable because encryption workloads often benefit from both parallel execution and specific instruction sets; the Intel’s 20 threads provide a clear edge. The physics simulation benchmark follows a similar pattern: Intel at 2391 versus AMD at 1120, a 53.2% difference. Physics calculations are notoriously parallel, and the Intel’s core count advantage again proves decisive.

In multithreaded performance, the Intel scores 37084 in passmark_multithread against the AMD’s 24244, a 34.6% gap. This is a comprehensive test that reflects overall throughput across varied workloads. The integer math test shows a narrower but still significant margin: Intel at 104943 versus AMD at 79789, a 24% difference. Random string sorting, a memory-latency-sensitive test, goes to Intel 44400 to 31153, a 29.8% gap. Data compression shows Intel ahead 370158 to 293595, a 20.7% margin.

The closest contest is in single-threaded performance. The Intel scores 4338 in passmark_single_thread, while the AMD scores 3995, a 7.9% deficit. This is the only benchmark where the AMD’s Zen 5 architecture keeps the gap under double digits. Extended instructions also show a relatively modest gap: Intel at 28609 versus AMD at 24333, a 14.9% difference. The overall pattern is clear: the Intel wins every head-to-head test, with margins ranging from 7.9% to 76.7%, and the AMD’s best showing is in single-threaded workloads where its higher IPC partially compensates for fewer cores.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 has an average benchmark score of 48171, which is slightly higher than the Intel Core Ultra 7 265T’s 47697. Despite this, the Intel wins every head-to-head test in the comparison set.

Q: How large is the performance gap in the most lopsided benchmark?

A: In passmark_find_prime_numbers, the Intel Core Ultra 7 265T scores 322 while the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 scores 75, giving the Intel a 76.7% advantage. This is the largest delta among all 11 head-to-head tests.

Q: Are these processors in the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 and the Intel Core Ultra 7 265T sit at the 90th percentile of all CPUs, meaning they outperform roughly 90% of processors in the database.

Q: What is the single-threaded performance difference?

A: The Intel scores 4338 in passmark_single_thread, while the AMD scores 3995, a 7.9% difference. This is the smallest margin in the entire head-to-head comparison.

Q: Does the AMD processor win any benchmark in the head-to-head set?

A: No. The Intel Core Ultra 7 265T wins all 11 benchmarks, and the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 records zero wins in the comparison.

Q: How do the two processors compare in multithreaded performance?

A: The Intel scores 37084 in passmark_multithread, which is 34.6% higher than the AMD’s 24244. The Intel’s 20 threads versus the AMD’s 12 threads largely explains this gap.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265T is the clear winner across every measured workload in this comparison. Its 20 cores and 20 threads provide a massive parallel-processing advantage over the AMD’s 6 cores and 12 threads. For tasks like data compression, encryption, physics simulation, and prime number calculation, the Intel’s extra threads translate directly into higher scores. The floating-point math test, where the Intel scores 129817 versus the AMD’s 53084, is a prime example of a workload that scales with core count. Similarly, the multithread test shows a 34.6% advantage for Intel, making it the better choice for heavily threaded applications.

The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380’s only competitive area is single-threaded performance, where it trails by just 7.9%. This suggests that its Zen 5 architecture has strong per-core efficiency, but the lower core count and lower boost clock (4.90 GHz versus 5.30 GHz) limit its overall throughput. The AMD also has a higher base clock at 3.60 GHz versus 1.50 GHz, which may help in lightly threaded scenarios, but the benchmark data does not show a single test where this translates into a win. The AMD’s integrated Radeon 8040S graphics and support for LPDDR5X memory with 128.0 GB/s bandwidth may make it more appealing for mobile systems, but the CPU performance data firmly favors the Intel.

For users who prioritize raw CPU compute, the Intel Core Ultra 7 265T is the only choice based on these numbers. The AMD’s edge in average benchmark score is marginal—less than 1%—and does not offset the consistent losses in every head-to-head test. The Intel’s wins range from 7.9% to 76.7%, with most tests showing at least a 20% advantage. This makes the Intel the better option for any workload that can use multiple threads, which includes most modern productivity, rendering, and scientific computing tasks.

Specification Differences

The most obvious difference is core count: the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 265T has 20 cores and 20 threads. The Intel has no hyperthreading, so its thread count equals its core count, whereas the AMD doubles its threads through simultaneous multithreading. The base clocks differ substantially, with the AMD at 3.60 GHz and the Intel at 1.50 GHz, but the Intel’s boost clock is higher at 5.30 GHz versus the AMD’s 4.90 GHz. The thermal design power also differs, with the AMD rated at 55 W and the Intel at 35 W, making the Intel more power-efficient on paper.

The socket and platform are completely different: the AMD uses AMD Socket FP11, while the Intel uses Intel Socket 1851. The AMD is classified as a mobile processor, while the Intel is a desktop processor. Memory support also differs, with the AMD using LPDDR5X and the Intel using DDR5. Both have dual-channel memory buses, but the AMD’s memory bandwidth is higher at 128.0 GB/s versus the Intel’s 102.4 GB/s. The AMD supports ECC memory, while the Intel does not. PCIe connectivity favors the Intel, which has Gen 5 with 20 lanes, while the AMD has Gen 4 with 16 lanes. The Intel has a launch MSRP of $384, while the AMD has no listed launch MSRP.

Architecture Differences

The architectural foundations are fundamentally different. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 is built on Zen 5 architecture with the codename Strix Halo, manufactured on a 4 nm process by TSMC. The Intel Core Ultra 7 265T uses Arrow Lake architecture with the codename Arrow Lake-S, manufactured on a 3 nm process, also by TSMC. The Intel’s transistor count is listed at 17,800 million with a die size of 243 mm², while the AMD’s transistor count and die size are not provided. The cache hierarchies differ significantly: the AMD has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3 cache, giving it nearly double the total cache capacity.

The integrated graphics are also different. The AMD features a Radeon 8040S, while the Intel uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units. The AMD is part of the Ryzen AI Max PRO generation, while the Intel is part of the Core Ultra Series 2. The Intel’s part number is SRQCS, while the AMD’s is 100-000001425. Both processors have locked multipliers, meaning they are not overclockable. The release dates are one day apart, with the AMD launching on January 5, 2025, and the Intel on January 6, 2025. The Intel’s higher L3 cache (30 MB versus 16 MB) and larger L2 cache per core (3 MB versus 1 MB) likely contribute to its better performance in cache-sensitive benchmarks like data compression and random string sorting.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the Intel Core Ultra 7 265T is the superior processor for nearly all compute workloads. It wins all 11 head-to-head tests, with margins that range from a modest 7.9% in single-threaded performance to a dominant 76.7% in prime number calculation. The Intel’s 20 cores and 20 threads give it a decisive advantage in multithreaded tasks, as shown by its 34.6% lead in passmark_multithread and its 59.1% lead in floating-point math. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 cannot match this parallel throughput, despite having a slightly higher average benchmark score overall.

Users who need maximum CPU performance for rendering, scientific computing, or heavy multitasking should choose the Intel Core Ultra 7 265T. Its higher boost clock of 5.30 GHz and larger cache hierarchy (30 MB L3 versus 16 MB L3) support both single-threaded and multi-threaded efficiency. The Intel also offers PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes, which may be valuable for future expansion. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380, however, has strengths in its mobile form factor, higher memory bandwidth (128.0 GB/s versus 102.4 GB/s), and ECC memory support. It also has a higher base clock and a lower boost clock, which may be better suited for sustained mobile workloads. The AMD’s 55 W TDP is higher than the Intel’s 35 W, but the Intel’s desktop platform likely assumes a different cooling environment.

The data shows that the Intel Core Ultra 7 265T is the pick for anyone building a desktop system where CPU compute is the priority. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 is a viable option for mobile systems where its integrated Radeon 8040S graphics and LPDDR5X memory support are relevant, but its CPU performance lags behind the Intel in every measured benchmark. The 90th percentile ranking for both processors indicates they are both high-end parts, but the Intel’s consistent wins make it the clear benchmark champion.