AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 vs Intel Core 9 273PE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a clear split between these two processors. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 wins 10 of the 15 head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core 9 273PE takes 5. The nature of those wins, however, tells a more complex story about workload suitability.

Starting with multi-threaded rendering, the results are contradictory across Cinebench versions. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD part scores 3918 against Intel's 3153, a 24.3% advantage. Yet in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the situation reverses dramatically: Intel scores 31288 versus AMD's 24828, giving Intel a 20.6% lead. This discrepancy suggests the two chips scale very differently as workload duration and complexity increase. The R23 result is the more demanding test, and it favors Intel.

Single-core performance is not close. The Intel Core 9 273PE delivers 445 in Cinebench R15 single-core versus AMD's 303, a 31.9% margin. In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel scores 4417 against 1976, a massive 55.3% gap. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison. The Intel part's higher boost clock of 5.70 GHz, compared to 5.00 GHz for AMD, aligns with this outcome.

PassMark results tell a different story. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 dominates in data compression with a score of 506170 versus 405885, a 24.7% edge. Data encryption also goes to AMD: 26027 versus 22719, a 14.6% advantage. The largest percentage win for AMD comes in extended instructions, where it scores 40888 against Intel's 24630, a 66% margin. Prime number finding favors AMD by 59.1% (323 versus 203), and random string sorting goes to AMD by 22.5% (55248 versus 45098).

Integer math is closer but still an AMD win: 148508 versus 139410, a 6.5% margin. The PassMark multi-thread score goes to AMD at 42912 versus 36810, a 16.6% lead. In PassMark single-thread, AMD scores 3967 against Intel's 3650, an 8.7% advantage. This is notable because it contradicts the Cinebench single-core results. The two vendors' architectures clearly respond differently to the specific instruction mixes in each benchmark suite.

Intel wins the remaining two tests. Floating point math goes to Intel at 107884 versus 94666, a 12.3% margin. Physics simulation also favors Intel: 3120 versus 2773, an 11.1% lead.

Looking at average benchmark scores, the AMD part records 63765 against Intel's 49845. The AMD processor sits at the 93rd percentile of all CPUs in the database, while Intel sits at the 90th. AMD's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i9-13900KS with an average score of 64051 and a delta of -0.4%, meaning the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 is essentially tied with that flagship desktop chip. The AMD EPYC 7343 scores 64202, putting AMD 0.7% behind that server part. On the Intel side, the Core 9 273PE's closest competitor is the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 at 49796, a 0.1% gap. The Intel Core i5-14600KF trails by 0.9%, while the Intel Core i9-13980HX leads by 1.1%.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 uses the Zen 5 architecture under the Strix Halo codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core 9 273PE uses the Bartlett Lake codename, fabricated on a 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry. The node difference is substantial and explains part of the efficiency and thermal characteristics.

Both parts have 12 cores and 24 threads, so thread counts are identical. Cache configurations differ meaningfully. AMD provides 80 KB of L1 per core and 1 MB of L2 per core, with 64 MB of shared L3. Intel also provides 80 KB of L1 per core but doubles the L2 to 2 MB per core, while its shared L3 is only 36 MB. The AMD chip has 64 MB more L3 cache in total, which helps explain its strong showing in data compression and encryption workloads.

Memory architecture is another major divide. The AMD processor supports LPDDR5X memory over a quad-channel bus, delivering 256.0 GB/s of bandwidth. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel bus, capping bandwidth at 89.6 GB/s. The AMD part has nearly three times the memory bandwidth of Intel, a factor that directly benefits memory-intensive workloads such as the PassMark data compression test.

PCIe connectivity differs as well. AMD uses Gen 4 with 16 lanes available CPU-only. Intel uses Gen 5 with 16 lanes CPU-only. The newer PCIe standard on the Intel side offers higher per-lane bandwidth for compatible devices, though the AMD part's memory bandwidth advantage may matter more for integrated workloads.

Integrated graphics are not comparable. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 carries a Radeon 8050S, while the Intel Core 9 273PE uses UHD Graphics 730. The database records no graphics benchmarks for either part, so any performance comparison would be speculative.

The market segments differ. AMD's part is classified as Mobile and uses the AMD Socket FP11. Intel's part is Desktop and uses Intel Socket 1700. This explains the TDP difference: AMD runs at 55 watts, Intel at 65 watts. The AMD part also has a lower base clock of 3.20 GHz versus Intel's 2.30 GHz, but Intel's boost clock is higher at 5.70 GHz versus 5.00 GHz.

Both processors support ECC memory and both have locked multipliers. AMD's release date is 2025-01-05, while Intel's is 2026-03-08, making the Intel part a later arrival. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $549. The AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP.

The Verdict

The data paints a dual picture. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 is the stronger all-around performer in the database's aggregate metrics. Its average benchmark score of 63765 places it at the 93rd percentile, and it wins 10 of 15 direct comparisons. The largest wins come in extended instructions (66% ahead), prime number finding (59.1% ahead), and data compression (24.7% ahead). Its 64 MB L3 cache and 256.0 GB/s memory bandwidth align with these results.

The Intel Core 9 273PE is the single-core champion. Its 55.3% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 31.9% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core are decisive. It also wins the more demanding multi-threaded Cinebench R23 test by 20.6%, along with floating point math and physics. Its higher boost clock of 5.70 GHz and larger per-core L2 of 2 MB support these outcomes.

For users prioritizing single-thread responsiveness and floating point throughput, the Intel part is the data-backed choice. For users running memory-heavy, compression-heavy, or encryption-heavy workloads, the AMD part's bandwidth and cache advantages translate directly into benchmark wins. The AMD processor also carries the stronger integrated GPU (Radeon 8050S versus UHD Graphics 730), which matters for systems without discrete graphics, though no benchmark data confirms the magnitude of that difference.

The Intel part is a desktop component with a 65 watt TDP and a $549 launch MSRP. The AMD part is a mobile component with a 55 watt TDP. Those platform constraints may matter as much as raw performance in real-world selection. The database records no overclocking capability for either, as both have locked multipliers.

Specification Differences

| Field | AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 | Intel Core 9 273PE |

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

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 2.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 5.70 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 65 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP11 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Codename | Strix Halo | Bartlett Lake |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 2 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 64 MB (shared) | 36 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | LPDDR5X | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 256.0 GB/s | 89.6 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 8050S | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2025-01-05 | 2026-03-08 |

| Part Number | 100-000001421 | SA4QD |

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 records an average benchmark score of 63765, compared to 49845 for the Intel Core 9 273PE. The AMD part is at the 93rd percentile of all CPUs; Intel is at the 90th.

Q: How large is the single-core performance gap?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE leads by 31.9% in Cinebench R15 single-core and by 55.3% in Cinebench R23 single-core. In PassMark single-thread, however, AMD leads by 8.7% (3967 versus 3650).

Q: Which processor wins in multi-threaded Cinebench tests?

A: Results are split. AMD wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 24.3% (3918 versus 3153). Intel wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 20.6% (31288 versus 24828).

Q: What memory bandwidth does each processor support?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 supports LPDDR5X over a quad-channel bus at 256.0 GB/s. The Intel Core 9 273PE supports DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel bus at 89.6 GB/s.

Q: Are the core and thread counts the same?

A: Yes, both processors have 12 cores and 24 threads. Their cache configurations differ: AMD has 1 MB L2 per core and 64 MB shared L3, while Intel has 2 MB L2 per core and 36 MB shared L3.

Q: What is the release timing for these parts?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 has a release date of 2025-01-05. The Intel Core 9 273PE has a release date of 2026-03-08. The Intel part carries a launch MSRP of $549; the AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP.