AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 vs Intel Core i5-14401E Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 wins every recorded head-to-head test against the Intel Core i5-14401E. Across all six Cinebench comparisons, the AMD part delivers a consistent performance advantage, with every delta falling between 56.5% and 56.6%. This uniformity across different workload types and Cinebench versions indicates a broad, systemic performance gap rather than a workload-specific quirk.

In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 scores 28,424 versus the Intel Core i5-14401E's 18,161. The 56.5% advantage here is substantial, reflecting the AMD processor's ability to sustain heavy multi-threaded loads. Single-core performance tells a similar story: the AMD chip records 4,012 in Cinebench R23 single-core, while the Intel part manages 2,564, a 56.5% lead. This single-thread dominance matters for applications that rely on high per-core performance, such as legacy software or lightly threaded workloads.

The pattern repeats across older Cinebench versions. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, AMD scores 11,938 against Intel's 7,627, a 56.5% gap. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the scores are 1,685 and 1,076 respectively, again a 56.6% delta. Cinebench R15 shows the same structure: multi-core scores of 2,865 versus 1,830, and single-core scores of 404 versus 258, both with a 56.6% delta. The consistency of these deltas across R15, R20, and R23 suggests that the relative performance difference is stable regardless of the Cinebench generation or its specific workload characteristics.

The database records a perfect 6-0 win tally for the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385, with zero wins for the Intel Core i5-14401E. No recorded benchmark shows the Intel part ahead. The Intel processor's percentile ranking versus all CPUs sits at 60, while the AMD part ranks at 88, placing it in a significantly higher tier of overall CPU performance. The average benchmark score further illustrates the divide: the AMD chip averages 43,326 across its full benchmark suite, while the Intel chip averages just 5,253, a massive gap that reflects both the different performance levels and the broader range of tests recorded for the AMD part.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 uses the Zen 5 architecture under the Strix Halo codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core i5-14401E uses the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically Raptor Lake-R, fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process. The process node difference is significant: a 4 nm process enables tighter transistor density and generally higher power efficiency compared to a 10 nm process.

Core counts differ notably. The AMD processor has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel part has 6 cores and 12 threads. This 2-core and 4-thread advantage for AMD directly contributes to its multi-core benchmark wins. Cache configurations also diverge. Both parts share the same 80 KB L1 cache per core, but the AMD chip has 1 MB of L2 per core, while Intel has 1.25 MB per core, a slight Intel advantage in L2. However, the shared L3 cache favors AMD decisively: 32 MB shared versus 20 MB shared for Intel. The larger L3 cache helps with data reuse and reduces memory latency impact in cache-sensitive workloads.

Memory support differs by platform. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 supports LPDDR5X memory over a quad-channel bus, yielding a memory bandwidth of 256.0 GB/s. The Intel Core i5-14401E supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus, with no memory bandwidth figure recorded in the database. The quad-channel LPDDR5X configuration gives the AMD part a substantial bandwidth advantage, which can benefit memory-intensive applications such as large data processing or integrated graphics workloads.

The AMD processor integrates Radeon 8050S graphics, while the Intel part uses UHD Graphics 730. The market segments differ as well: AMD targets the mobile segment with the Socket FP11, while Intel targets the desktop segment with Socket 1700. The AMD chip has a 55 TDP, while the Intel chip has a 65 TDP, meaning the AMD part delivers higher performance at a lower power envelope, an efficiency advantage. Both support ECC memory, though their memory buses and bandwidths differ as described. PCIe support also varies: AMD uses Gen 4 with 16 CPU lanes, while Intel uses Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, giving Intel a newer PCIe standard.

The release dates show the AMD part arriving on 2025-01-05, while the Intel part came earlier on 2024-06-30. Both are listed as active production parts. The Intel die size is recorded at 215 mm², while no die size is listed for the AMD chip.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 wins in every recorded benchmark category. Its multi-core performance is particularly strong, as shown by the Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 28,424, which is 56.5% ahead of the Intel Core i5-14401E. For workloads that scale across cores, such as video rendering, 3D modeling, or scientific computation, the AMD processor's 8 cores and 16 threads provide a clear advantage over Intel's 6 cores and 12 threads.

Single-core performance also favors AMD. The Cinebench R23 single-core score of 4,012 versus 2,564 represents a 56.5% lead. This matters for applications where individual thread performance is the bottleneck, such as many legacy programs, some game engines, or interactive design tools. The AMD processor does not sacrifice single-thread speed to achieve its multi-thread lead, making it versatile across both workload types.

The Intel Core i5-14401E has no recorded benchmark wins. However, its architecture does offer some platform-level features that are absent from the AMD part. The Intel processor uses PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, while the AMD part uses Gen 4. For storage or expansion cards that benefit from Gen 5 bandwidth, the Intel platform provides a newer interface. Additionally, the Intel part supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, offering flexibility in memory selection, while the AMD part is limited to LPDDR5X. The Intel part's 1.25 MB L2 cache per core is also larger than the AMD part's 1 MB per core, which could slightly benefit workloads that fit within L2.

The Intel part also has a smaller die size of 215 mm², which may have implications for manufacturing cost, though no pricing data is recorded. Its desktop segment positioning with Socket 1700 means it can be paired with standard desktop motherboards, whereas the AMD part's mobile segment and Socket FP11 target laptops or compact systems.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better multi-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 28,424 versus the Intel Core i5-14401E's 18,161, a 56.5% advantage. The AMD part also has more cores and threads: 8 cores and 16 threads versus 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: How does single-core performance compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 leads in Cinebench R23 single-core with a score of 4,012, while the Intel Core i5-14401E scores 2,564, a 56.5% gap. The same pattern holds across Cinebench R15 and R20 single-core tests.

Q: What are the memory bandwidth differences?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 uses quad-channel LPDDR5X memory with 256.0 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core i5-14401E uses dual-channel DDR4 or DDR5 memory, with no bandwidth figure recorded in the database.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 and the Intel Core i5-14401E support ECC memory, according to the recorded data.

Q: Which processor has a higher overall CPU ranking?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 ranks at the 88th percentile versus all CPUs, while the Intel Core i5-14401E ranks at the 60th percentile. The AMD part's average benchmark score is 43,326, compared to 5,253 for the Intel part.

Q: What are the power consumption figures?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 has a TDP of 55, while the Intel Core i5-14401E has a TDP of 65. The AMD part delivers higher benchmark scores at a lower TDP.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to a single conclusion: the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 is the superior processor across all tested metrics. It wins every head-to-head benchmark with a consistent 56.5% to 56.6% margin, and it holds advantages in core count, thread count, L3 cache size, memory bandwidth, and process node. Its 88th percentile ranking versus all CPUs far exceeds the Intel part's 60th percentile, and its lower TDP of 55 versus 65 means it achieves this performance with less power draw.

For users prioritizing raw CPU performance, particularly in multi-threaded applications like rendering, compilation, or data processing, the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 is clearly the stronger choice. Its single-core lead also ensures no regression in lightly threaded tasks. The integrated Radeon 8050S graphics on the AMD part provide more capable on-chip graphics than the Intel UHD Graphics 730, which may matter for systems without a discrete GPU.

The Intel Core i5-14401E does retain some platform advantages. Its PCIe Gen 5 support with 16 CPU lanes offers a newer expansion interface than the AMD part's Gen 4. Its support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory provides flexibility in system building. The desktop Socket 1700 platform allows for standard desktop motherboards, whereas the AMD part targets the mobile segment. For a desktop system where PCIe Gen 5 connectivity and memory type flexibility take priority over raw CPU throughput, the Intel part has a niche.

However, based purely on benchmark results, the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 delivers a decisive performance win with no recorded losses. The database shows a 6-0 head-to-head sweep, and the magnitude of each victory is consistent and large. Users who need maximum compute performance from the recorded data should choose the AMD processor. Users who require the Intel platform's specific features, such as PCIe Gen 5 or desktop motherboard compatibility, would select the Intel part for those attributes, not for its benchmark scores.