AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 vs Intel Core 5 330 Comparison

AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 vs Intel Core 5 330: a 12-core Zen 5 Strix Halo part against a 6-core Wildcat Lake chip. The benchmark database shows a stark split: the AMD part wins 13 of 15 head-to-head tests, while the Intel chip takes only 2, both in single-thread PassMark runs. The AMD processor sits in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 63765, while the Intel chip lands in the 72nd percentile with an average score of 18345. This is a comparison of two mobile processors with very different design goals, and the recorded data makes the separation clear.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 is the clear winner in every multi-threaded and compute-heavy workload recorded. Its largest margins come in integer math, where it scores 148508 against 33258, a 346.5% advantage. Data compression shows a 248.4% lead (506170 vs 145287), and extended instructions (AVX-style workloads) show a 219.2% lead (40888 vs 12808). The pattern holds across Cinebench multi-core tests, PassMark physics, floating point math, encryption, prime number finding, and random string sorting. Every one of these tests favors the AMD chip by margins between 88.8% and 346.5%.

The Intel Core 5 330 wins only in PassMark single-thread tests, scoring 4088 against 3967, a 3% lead. That is a narrow margin, and it does not appear in Cinebench single-core tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD part scores 1976 against 1856, a 6.5% lead. So the Intel chip's single-thread win is specific to the PassMark methodology, not a general single-core advantage.

The use-case split is clear. For rendering, scientific computing, data compression, encryption, or any workload that scales with core count and memory bandwidth, the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 is decisively faster. The Intel Core 5 330 offers a marginal edge in one specific single-thread benchmark, but that does not translate into a workload category where it dominates. The database indicates the AMD part is the compute-oriented choice, while the Intel chip is positioned for lighter tasks where its lower power draw matters more than raw throughput.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core 5 330 has 6 cores and 6 threads. The AMD part has double the cores and four times the thread count.

Q: How large is the performance gap in multi-core workloads?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD chip scores 24828 against 13150 for the Intel chip, an 88.8% lead. In PassMark multithread, the AMD part scores 42912 against 15471, a 177.4% lead.

Q: Does the Intel Core 5 330 win any benchmark?

A: Yes, it wins both PassMark single-thread tests (scored as passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread) with 4088 against 3967, a 3% lead. It loses the Cinebench R15 and R23 single-core tests to the AMD chip.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 supports quad-channel LPDDR5X with 256.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel Core 5 330 uses single-channel DDR5 or LPDDR5X with 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth. That is a 4.3x difference in theoretical memory bandwidth.

Q: How do the integrated graphics compare?

A: The AMD part uses a Radeon 8050S integrated GPU. The Intel part uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The database does not provide direct graphics benchmarks for these two, so only the component identities can be stated.

Q: What are the launch dates and MSRP?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 released on 2025-01-05 with no launch MSRP listed. The Intel Core 5 330 released on 2026-04-15 with a launch MSRP of $309.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single margin is in PassMark integer math. The AMD part scores 148508, the Intel part scores 33258, giving the AMD chip a 346.5% advantage. This is a massive gap, more than four times the throughput. It reflects the combination of 12 Zen 5 cores against 6 Wildcat Lake cores, plus the AMD part's larger cache and quad-channel memory.

Data compression follows a similar pattern. AMD scores 506170, Intel scores 145287, a 248.4% lead. Extended instructions show a 219.2% lead (40888 vs 12808), and random string sorting shows a 210.9% lead (55248 vs 17771). These are all memory-latency and cache-sensitive workloads, where the AMD part's 64 MB shared L3 cache and 256.0 GB/s memory bandwidth provide a clear advantage over the Intel part's 6 MB shared L3 and 59.7 GB/s bandwidth.

Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a 195.7% lead for AMD (3918 vs 1325). Cinebench R23 multi-core shows an 88.8% lead (24828 vs 13150). The smaller percentage in R23 suggests the workload scales somewhat differently, but the AMD part still wins by a wide margin. PassMark multithread shows a 177.4% lead (42912 vs 15471), and PassMark physics shows a 130.9% lead (2773 vs 1201).

Floating point math favors AMD by 115.7% (94666 vs 43885). Data encryption favors AMD by 135% (26027 vs 11076). Prime number finding favors AMD by 183.3% (323 vs 114). All of these are substantial wins, generally exceeding double the Intel chip's score.

The single-core picture is different. In Cinebench R15 single-core, AMD scores 303 against 186, a 62.9% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, AMD scores 1976 against 1856, a 6.5% lead. But in PassMark single-thread, Intel scores 4088 against 3967, a 3% lead. The PassMark result is the only benchmark where the Intel chip leads, and it is a narrow one. The Cinebench results suggest that the AMD part's higher boost clock (5.00 GHz vs 4.60 GHz) and larger cache still give it an edge in most single-thread tests.

The wins are lopsided: 13 for AMD, 2 for Intel. The two Intel wins are the same test recorded twice (passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread, both scoring 4088). So effectively, the Intel chip has one unique benchmark win.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts differ sharply. AMD has 12 cores and 24 threads. Intel has 6 cores and 6 threads. The Intel part has no simultaneous multithreading, which explains why its thread count equals its core count.

Clock speeds favor AMD. The AMD base clock is 3.20 GHz with a boost of 5.00 GHz. The Intel base clock is 1.50 GHz with a boost of 4.60 GHz. The AMD part has a higher base clock by 1.70 GHz and a higher boost clock by 0.40 GHz.

Power draw is a major differentiator. The AMD TDP is 55 watts, while the Intel TDP is 15 watts. That is a 40-watt difference, making the Intel chip much more suitable for fanless or passively cooled designs and long battery life. The AMD part needs more cooling and power delivery.

Memory support differs. AMD uses LPDDR5X only, with a quad-channel bus and 256.0 GB/s bandwidth. Intel supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X, but only with a single-channel bus and 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. The AMD memory subsystem is fundamentally wider and faster. ECC memory is supported on the AMD part but not on the Intel part.

PCIe lanes also differ. AMD provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Intel provides Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only). The AMD part has more than double the PCIe lanes, which matters for external GPUs or multiple NVMe drives.

Sockets are different: AMD uses AMD Socket FP11, Intel uses Intel BGA 1516. The AMD part is not multiplier unlocked, and neither is the Intel part.

Integrated graphics differ. AMD uses Radeon 8050S. Intel uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The database does not provide graphics benchmark scores for either, so no performance comparison is possible from the recorded data.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 uses Zen 5 architecture on a 4 nm TSMC process, with the codename Strix Halo. The Intel Core 5 330 uses Wildcat Lake architecture on a 3 nm Intel process. The Intel process node is smaller by 1 nm, but the architecture is fundamentally different.

Cache hierarchies are very different. AMD provides 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 64 MB shared L3. Intel provides 192 KB L1 total, 2.5 MB L2 total, and 6 MB shared L3. The AMD L3 cache is more than ten times larger. The per-core L2 on AMD is 1 MB, while the Intel total L2 is 2.5 MB across 6 cores, so roughly 416 KB per core. AMD's per-core L2 is more than double that.

The AMD part has 24 threads from 12 cores, meaning each core supports two threads. The Intel part has 6 threads from 6 cores, with no SMT. This architectural choice explains the multi-thread performance gap. The AMD part also features a much larger memory interface: quad-channel LPDDR5X at 256.0 GB/s versus single-channel at 59.7 GB/s.

The release dates show a generation gap. AMD released in January 2025. Intel released in April 2026. The Intel part is newer, but the architecture is designed for efficiency rather than peak throughput. The AMD part is built for a high-end mobile workstation segment, while the Intel part targets low-power mobile devices.

The production status for both is Active. Both are mobile market segment parts. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data points to two different machines. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 is the choice for workloads that need sustained multi-core performance: rendering, video encoding, data compression, encryption, scientific simulation. It wins 13 of 15 benchmarks, often by margins exceeding 100%. Its 24 threads, 64 MB L3, and 256.0 GB/s memory bandwidth give it a commanding lead in every parallel workload recorded. The 55-watt TDP means it needs a real cooling solution, but the performance return is substantial.

The Intel Core 5 330 is the choice for low-power mobile devices where battery life and thermal output matter more than compute throughput. Its 15-watt TDP is less than a third of the AMD part's. It wins the PassMark single-thread test by 3%, but loses every multi-threaded test. Its 6 MB L3 and single-channel memory limit its performance in data-heavy workloads. It supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X, giving memory flexibility, but the single-channel bus caps bandwidth at 59.7 GB/s.

There is no ambiguity in the benchmark results. The AMD part is in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, with an average score of 63765, and its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i9-13900KS (0.4% behind) and AMD EPYC 7343 (0.7% ahead). The Intel Core 5 330 is in the 72nd percentile, with an average score of 18345, and its nearest rivals are the Intel Core i3-14100 (0.1% behind) and Intel Core 3 305 (0.2% behind). These are different performance classes entirely.

The launch MSRP for the Intel part is $309. The AMD part has no listed launch MSRP. For a builder prioritizing performance, the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 is the only choice from this data. For a builder prioritizing low power and light weight, the Intel Core 5 330 fits that niche, but it cannot match the AMD part's compute capability in any meaningful way outside a 3% single-thread PassMark margin.