AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 vs Intel Core i9-14901E Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clear split between these two processors, with AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 taking 11 of 17 head-to-head comparisons while Intel Core i9-14901E claims 6. The Cinebench suite is uniformly in AMD's favor, with every R15, R20, and R23 test showing a 10.4% advantage for the Ryzen part. In Cinebench R23 multicore, AMD scores 28424 against Intel's 25753, while the single-core result shows 4012 versus 3635. This consistent 10.4% margin across all six Cinebench tests indicates a fundamental performance-per-clock advantage rather than a workload-specific artifact.

The PassMark suite splits more unevenly. AMD dominates data compression with a 31.4% lead (379448 versus 288777), and extended instructions show the largest gap of any test: AMD scores 31442, which is 82.3% ahead of Intel's 17249. Data encryption is nearly tied at 2.2% (18978 versus 18571), and random string sorting shows a modest 4.2% AMD edge (40784 versus 39138). PassMark multithread also favors AMD at 5.9% (32075 versus 30298).

Intel's wins are concentrated in specific compute-heavy workloads. The physics test shows the most dramatic Intel advantage: 3041 versus 1711, a 43.7% margin. Floating point math goes to Intel by 14.2% (81089 versus 69580), and integer math by 6.8% (112736 versus 105056). Prime number finding favors Intel by 16.9% (189 versus 157), and single-thread performance shows Intel ahead by 8.2% (4354 versus 3995). The overall PassMark average benchmark score reflects this split: AMD's average is 43326, placing it at the 88th percentile of all CPUs, while Intel's average is 37911, at the 86th percentile.

Examining the nearest rival data helps contextualize both processors. AMD's average score of 43326 sits within 0.3% of the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H (43210) and within 0.2% of the AMD Ryzen AI 9 465 (43431). The AMD Ryzen 7 170 and Ryzen 7 PRO 7745 are 0.8% and 0.9% higher respectively. Intel's 37911 average is essentially tied with the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 (37904, 0% delta) and the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X (37943, -0.1%). The Intel Core 5 211E sits 0.2% higher, and the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P132 is 0.3% higher.

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, which is 14.3% higher than the Intel Core i9-14901E's 37911. AMD also holds a higher percentile rank at 88 versus Intel's 86.

Q: Does the Intel Core i9-14901E win any benchmark categories?

A: Yes, Intel wins 6 of 17 head-to-head tests. These include PassMark physics (3041 versus 1711, a 43.7% lead), floating point math (81089 versus 69580, 14.2% ahead), integer math (112736 versus 105056, 6.8% ahead), prime number finding (189 versus 157, 16.9% ahead), and single-thread tests (4354 versus 3995, 8.2% ahead).

Q: How do the two processors compare in memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 uses LPDDR5X memory with a quad-channel bus and 256.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel Core i9-14901E supports both DDR4 and DDR5, uses a dual-channel bus, and the database records no memory bandwidth figure for it.

Q: What are the process node differences?

A: AMD uses a 4 nm process from TSMC, while Intel uses a 10 nm process from its own foundry. Intel's die size is recorded at 257 mm², and no die size is listed for AMD.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i9-14901E boosts to 5.60 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 boosts to 5.00 GHz. However, AMD has a higher base clock at 3.60 GHz compared to Intel's 2.80 GHz.

Q: How does the integrated graphics compare?

A: AMD integrates the Radeon 8050S, while Intel integrates UHD Graphics 770. The database does not record benchmark scores for either integrated GPU, so relative graphics performance is not measured here.

Architecture Differences

The two processors use fundamentally different architectures. AMD's Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 is built on Zen 5 with the Strix Halo codename, fabricated on a 4 nm process at TSMC. Intel's Core i9-14901E uses Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename, on Intel's own 10 nm process. Both have 8 cores and 16 threads, but the similarities end there.

Cache configurations differ notably. Both allocate 80 KB of L1 per core, but AMD provides 1 MB of L2 per core while Intel provides 2 MB per core. AMD's L3 is 32 MB shared, while Intel's is 36 MB shared. The Intel part has a recorded die size of 257 mm², while AMD's die size is not listed in the database.

Memory architecture is another major divergence. AMD supports LPDDR5X with a quad-channel bus delivering 256.0 GB/s of bandwidth. Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus, and no bandwidth figure is recorded. Both processors support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity also differs: AMD provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes.

The integrated graphics solutions are distinct: AMD uses Radeon 8050S, Intel uses UHD Graphics 770. The market segments also differ, with AMD positioned as a mobile processor and Intel as a desktop part. AMD uses Socket FP11, Intel uses Socket 1700. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. AMD's release date is recorded as 2025-01-05, while Intel's is 2024-06-30. Both are listed as Active in production status.

The Verdict

The benchmark data supports a workload-dependent selection. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 is the stronger overall performer, with an average benchmark score of 43326 versus 37911, an 88th percentile rank versus 86th, and 11 head-to-head wins. Its Cinebench results are uniformly 10.4% ahead of Intel, and its data compression and extended instruction performance are particularly strong, with margins of 31.4% and 82.3% respectively. This makes it the choice for general multi-threaded productivity, media encoding, and workloads that use extended instruction sets.

The Intel Core i9-14901E counters with a 43.7% win in physics, 14.2% in floating point math, and 8.2% in single-thread tests. Its higher boost clock of 5.60 GHz versus 5.00 GHz likely contributes to these single-thread results. The Intel part also offers PCIe Gen 5 connectivity, which may matter for storage or expansion needs. Its dual-channel DDR4/DDR5 support provides flexibility in platform memory choice, though with no recorded bandwidth figure to compare against AMD's 256.0 GB/s quad-channel LPDDR5X.

The nearest rival data reinforces that both processors sit in competitive positions within their respective performance classes. AMD's score is within 0.9% of four nearby rivals, led by the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7745 at 43704. Intel's score is within 0.3% of four nearby rivals, led by the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X at 37943. Neither processor is an outlier in its class; both are mid-pack among their peers.

For users prioritizing Cinebench-class rendering, data compression, and extended instruction throughput, the data clearly favors AMD. For users whose workloads emphasize physics simulation, floating point math, or single-thread responsiveness, the Intel part's wins are substantial enough to matter. The 8-core, 16-thread configuration is shared, so thread-count scaling does not distinguish them.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 | Intel Core i9-14901E |

|---|---|---|

| Base clock | 3.60 GHz | 2.80 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.00 GHz | 5.60 GHz |

| TDP | 55 | 65 |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP11 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Zen 5 | Raptor Lake |

| Codename | Strix Halo | Raptor Lake-R |

| Process node | 4 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die size | not recorded | 257 mm² |

| L2 cache | 1 MB per core | 2 MB per core |

| L3 cache | 32 MB shared | 36 MB shared |

| Memory support | LPDDR5X | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory bus | Quad-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 256.0 GB/s | not recorded |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 16 lanes | Gen 5, 16 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon 8050S | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Market segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release date | 2025-01-05 | 2024-06-30 |

| Part number | 100-000001422 | Q49ESRNJH |