AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 vs Intel Arc G3 EXTREME Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a decisive overall victory for the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385, which takes 11 of the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons. The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME counters with 6 wins, but the magnitude of AMD's victories in the Cinebench suite is the dominant story. The largest single margin belongs to the AMD part in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 4012 against Intel's 1862, a delta of 115.5%. That gap is almost exactly mirrored in the multicore variant: AMD posts 28424 versus Intel's 14655, a 94% advantage. These are not incremental differences; the AMD processor more than doubles the Intel part's single-core performance in that specific test.

The Cinebench R15 results follow a similar pattern, with AMD leading by 30.7% in multicore (2865 vs 2192) and by 51.3% in single-core (404 vs 267). The R20 generation narrows the spread considerably, with AMD ahead by 9.1% in both multicore (11938 vs 10945) and single-core (1685 vs 1545). This suggests the Intel part scales comparatively better as the workload duration increases, or that the AMD advantage is most pronounced under shorter, burst-oriented rendering tasks.

PassMark integer math gives AMD another substantial win: 105056 versus 71164, a 47.6% margin. The AMD chip also leads in extended instructions (31442 vs 24017, up 30.9%) and data compression (379448 vs 307094, up 23.6%). Random string sorting goes to AMD by 9.2% (40784 vs 37331), and the PassMark multithread aggregate is a closer affair, with AMD ahead just 4.6% (32075 vs 30659).

Intel's wins are concentrated in specific computational domains. Floating point math is Intel's clearest victory: 86929 versus 69580, meaning the Intel part is 20% faster. Find prime numbers, a workload that often stresses integer throughput and branch handling, favors Intel by 36.7% (248 vs 157). PassMark physics is another Intel win, 2515 versus 1711, a 32% margin. Data encryption also goes Intel's way, 23881 versus 18978, a 20.5% edge. Finally, PassMark single-thread shows Intel ahead by 6.9% (4293 vs 3995), which is notable because it runs counter to the Cinebench single-core results where AMD was so dominant. The two parts are close in the multithread aggregate, but the individual workload distribution is very different.

By average benchmark score, AMD sits at 43326 versus Intel's 36699. AMD's percentile ranking among all CPUs is 88, while Intel sits at 85. AMD's nearest rivals in the database are the AMD Ryzen AI 9 465, which is 0.2% higher in average score, and the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H, which is 0.3% lower. The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME's closest competitor is the Intel Core Ultra 5 225, which is 0.6% higher in average score, and the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F, which is 0.7% higher.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 is the clear choice for heavily threaded rendering workloads. Its Cinebench R23 multicore result of 28424 versus Intel's 14655 indicates a 94% advantage in sustained all-core rendering, which is the kind of workload that defines content creation productivity. The AMD part also dominates integer math and compression, making it the stronger option for general productivity suites, database operations, and file archiving. The 47.6% lead in integer math and 23.6% lead in data compression reinforce that conclusion.

The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME, despite losing the overall head-to-head, has its own niches. The 20% lead in floating point math positions it better for scientific computing tasks and physics simulations that rely heavily on FPU throughput. The 36.7% advantage in find prime numbers indicates a strength in workloads with high branch density or particular algorithm patterns. The PassMark physics score of 2515 versus 1711, a 32% advantage, suggests Intel's architecture handles the specific instruction mix of physics engines more efficiently. Data encryption, where Intel leads by 20.5%, points to a genuine advantage in security-related and cryptographic workloads.

The single-thread PassMark result is interesting because it splits from the Cinebench single-core results. Intel leads PassMark single-thread by 6.9% (4293 vs 3995), yet AMD leads Cinebench R23 single-core by 115.5% (4012 vs 1862). The most likely interpretation is that the two architectures respond very differently to the specific instruction sequences in each benchmark. The AMD part appears better optimized for the rendering engine's code path, while the Intel part handles the broader PassMark single-thread mix more efficiently. Users targeting a specific application should weight these tests accordingly.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on different process nodes from different foundries. AMD uses TSMC's 4 nm process for its Zen 5 architecture, while Intel uses its own 3 nm node for the Panther Lake codename. The AMD part is part of the Strix Halo generation, while Intel's is the Arc G3 generation.

Core counts differ significantly. The AMD chip has 8 cores and 16 threads, which means simultaneous multithreading is enabled. The Intel part has 14 cores but only 14 threads, indicating no hyperthreading on those cores. Despite having 6 fewer cores, the AMD part wins the multicore benchmarks, which shows that its per-core throughput advantage and SMT are enough to overcome the core count deficit.

Cache hierarchies are also distinct. AMD allocates 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of shared L3. Intel allocates 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. The Intel part has larger per-core L1 and L2 caches, but AMD has nearly double the shared L3 capacity. The larger L3 on AMD likely contributes to its strong performance in data compression and integer math, where larger working sets can stay on-chip.

Memory architecture is a major differentiator. Both parts support LPDDR5X, but AMD uses a quad-channel memory bus with 256.0 GB/s of bandwidth, while Intel uses a dual-channel bus with 136.5 GB/s. AMD's bandwidth is roughly 87.6% higher. The AMD part also supports ECC memory, while the Intel part does not. The wider memory bus is consistent with AMD's higher performance in memory-sensitive workloads like data compression.

PCIe connectivity differs as well. AMD provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes, while Intel provides Gen 5 with 4 lanes. Intel's lanes are faster per lane but far fewer in total. The integrated graphics also differ: AMD pairs with a Radeon 8050S, while Intel uses an Arc B390. Power characteristics differ substantially, with AMD rated at 55 W TDP and Intel at 25 W TDP. The AMD part uses the AMD Socket FP11, while Intel uses Intel BGA 2540. The AMD part's release date is 2025-01-05, while Intel's is 2026-05-27.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 records an average benchmark score of 43326, compared to 36699 for the Intel Arc G3 EXTREME. The AMD part also holds an 88th percentile ranking versus Intel's 85th.

Q: How large is the AMD advantage in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 scores 28424, while the Intel Arc G3 EXTREME scores 14655, giving AMD a 94% lead in that test.

Q: Are there any workloads where the Intel Arc G3 EXTREME is faster?

A: Yes. Intel leads in floating point math by 20% (86929 vs 69580), in find prime numbers by 36.7% (248 vs 157), in physics by 32% (2515 vs 1711), in data encryption by 20.5% (23881 vs 18978), and in PassMark single-thread by 6.9% (4293 vs 3995).

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 supports ECC memory. The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME does not.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference between the two?

A: The AMD part uses a quad-channel LPDDR5X bus with 256.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel part uses a dual-channel LPDDR5X bus with 136.5 GB/s. AMD's bandwidth is about 87.6% higher.

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME has 14 cores and 14 threads.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on nearly every major specification field. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 is manufactured by AMD, while the Intel Arc G3 EXTREME is manufactured by Intel. AMD uses the Zen 5 architecture under the Strix Halo codename, while Intel uses the Panther Lake codename under the Arc G3 generation. The process nodes differ: AMD uses TSMC's 4 nm process, while Intel uses its own 3 nm process.

Core and thread counts are different, with AMD at 8 cores and 16 threads versus Intel's 14 cores and 14 threads. Base clocks differ substantially: AMD runs at 3.60 GHz, Intel at 1.90 GHz. Boost clocks are closer, with AMD at 5.00 GHz and Intel at 4.70 GHz. TDP ratings are very different: AMD is rated at 55 W, Intel at 25 W. The sockets are different, with AMD using AMD Socket FP11 and Intel using Intel BGA 2540.

Cache layouts differ at every level. AMD has 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 32 MB shared L3. Intel has 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 18 MB shared L3. Memory support is the same type (LPDDR5X), but the bus width differs, with AMD using quad-channel and Intel using dual-channel. Memory bandwidth is 256.0 GB/s for AMD versus 136.5 GB/s for Intel. ECC support is present on AMD but absent on Intel.

PCIe specifications are different: AMD provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes, while Intel provides Gen 5 with 4 lanes. Integrated graphics differ, with AMD using Radeon 8050S and Intel using Arc B390. Release dates differ by over a year, with AMD released on 2025-01-05 and Intel on 2026-05-27. The part numbers are different: AMD is 100-000001422, Intel is SA4R3. Both are mobile market segments with active production status, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.