AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 vs Intel Core i5-14401E Comparison

AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 vs Intel Core i5-14401E

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded benchmark data shows a decisive performance gap between these two processors, with the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 winning three of the four shared tests. The largest margin appears in Cinebench R15 multicore, where AMD scores 3918 against Intel's 1830, a 114.1% advantage. This more than doubles the Intel part's output in that workload, indicating a substantial difference in sustained multi-threaded capability.

Cinebench R23 multicore confirms the trend, though with a narrower gap. AMD scores 24828 versus Intel's 18161, a 36.7% lead. While still significant, this smaller delta suggests that the R15 test favors the AMD architecture more heavily, while R23 presents a closer contest. The AMD processor still holds a clear edge in rendering and compute-heavy tasks that scale with core count and thread count.

Single-core results split the two CPUs. In Cinebench R15 singlecore, AMD leads with 303 points against Intel's 258, a 17.4% improvement. However, in Cinebench R23 singlecore, the Intel Core i5-14401E reverses the outcome, scoring 2564 versus AMD's 1976, a 22.9% advantage for Intel. This inconsistency between the two single-thread tests is notable. The R23 result suggests that Intel's Raptor Lake architecture has higher peak single-core throughput under that specific benchmark, while the R15 result indicates AMD's Zen 5 design holds its own in lighter single-threaded loads.

The overall win count stands at 3 for AMD and 1 for Intel. The average benchmark score for AMD is 63765, placing it in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs in the database. Intel's average score is 5253, which lands in the 60th percentile. This percentile gap is substantial, placing the AMD part among high-end desktop and workstation processors, while the Intel part sits in the mid-range tier.

Relative to its nearest rivals, the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 sits within 1% of the Intel Core i9-13900KS, AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G, AMD EPYC 7343, and Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX. The deltas range from -0.7% against the EPYC 7343 to +0.9% against the Core Ultra 7 265HX. This indicates that the AMD part competes at the top of the database hierarchy. The Intel Core i5-14401E, meanwhile, sits within 1% of the Intel Xeon E5-2699A v4, Core i7-11700B, Core i9-10850K, and Core i5-13400T, with deltas from -0.1% to +0.8%. The Intel part is competitive with older high-end chips but does not approach the absolute performance tier of the AMD offering.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 wins both multi-core tests. It scores 3918 in Cinebench R15 multicore versus 1830 for Intel, a 114.1% lead, and 24828 in Cinebench R23 multicore versus 18161, a 36.7% lead.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-14401E win any benchmark?

A: Yes, Intel wins Cinebench R23 singlecore with a score of 2564 against AMD's 1976, a 22.9% advantage. This is the only head-to-head test where Intel comes out ahead.

Q: How do the two processors compare in single-core performance?

A: The results are mixed. AMD wins Cinebench R15 singlecore with 303 versus 258, a 17.4% lead. Intel wins Cinebench R23 singlecore with 2564 versus 1976, a 22.9% lead.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 has an average benchmark score of 63765. The Intel Core i5-14401E has an average benchmark score of 5253.

Q: How do the processors rank against all CPUs in the database?

A: The AMD part is in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs. The Intel part is in the 60th percentile.

Q: What is the core and thread count difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core i5-14401E has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 uses the Zen 5 architecture on the Strix Halo codename, manufactured on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core i5-14401E uses the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically Raptor Lake-R, built on a 10 nm process at Intel. This process node difference is significant, as the smaller 4 nm node allows AMD to pack more transistors into the same die area, though the database does not list transistor counts for either part.

Cache configurations differ considerably. Both CPUs share an 80 KB L1 cache per core. AMD's L2 cache is 1 MB per core, while Intel's is 1.25 MB per core, giving Intel a slight per-core L2 advantage. The L3 cache tells a different story: AMD has 64 MB shared, while Intel has 20 MB shared. This 44 MB difference in L3 capacity is substantial and likely contributes to AMD's strong multi-core performance in cache-sensitive workloads.

Memory support diverges as well. AMD supports LPDDR5X with a quad-channel memory bus and a listed bandwidth of 256.0 GB/s. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel memory bus, though no bandwidth figure is recorded in the database. Both processors support ECC memory, which is a notable feature for workstation-class usage.

PCIe connectivity differs by generation. AMD provides PCIe Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Intel provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Intel part has a newer PCIe standard, which allows for higher bandwidth to compatible devices, though the practical impact depends on the rest of the system.

Integrated graphics also separate the two. AMD includes a Radeon 8050S, while Intel includes UHD Graphics 730. The database does not provide benchmark scores for these iGPUs, so no direct comparison is possible from the recorded data.

The Intel part has a recorded die size of 215 mm². AMD's die size is not listed in the database. The Intel part is a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1700, while AMD is a mobile processor on AMD Socket FP11. This market segment difference is fundamental to how these CPUs are deployed.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on nearly every core specification. AMD has 12 cores and 24 threads, while Intel has 6 cores and 12 threads. AMD doubles the thread count, which directly explains its multi-core benchmark advantage.

Clock speeds favor AMD on base clock: 3.20 GHz versus Intel's 2.50 GHz. Boost clocks are closer, with AMD at 5.00 GHz and Intel at 4.70 GHz. The higher boost clock on AMD gives it an advantage in bursty single-threaded workloads, though the R23 singlecore result shows Intel can still win under certain conditions.

Thermal design power differs in the opposite direction. AMD has a 55 W TDP, while Intel has a 65 W TDP. The AMD part delivers more cores and more performance at a lower rated power, which indicates better efficiency per watt, though the database does not provide measured power consumption figures.

Memory channels differ: AMD uses quad-channel, Intel uses dual-channel. AMD's memory bandwidth is listed as 256.0 GB/s; Intel's is not recorded. This bandwidth advantage is significant for memory-bound applications.

Process node favors AMD at 4 nm versus Intel's 10 nm. Foundry also differs: TSMC for AMD, Intel for the Intel part. The release dates show AMD launched on 2025-01-05, while Intel launched earlier on 2024-06-30.

Both processors are locked (multiplier unlocked: false) and have active production status. Neither has a recorded launch MSRP in the database. The AMD part number is 100-000001421, and the Intel part number is Q49JSRNJS.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 wins in multi-threaded rendering and compute tasks. Its Cinebench R15 and R23 multicore results show a 114.1% and 36.7% lead respectively. This makes it the clear choice for workloads that scale with core count, such as video encoding, 3D rendering, scientific simulations, and any heavily parallelized application. The 12-core, 24-thread configuration, combined with 64 MB of L3 cache and quad-channel LPDDR5X memory with 256.0 GB/s bandwidth, provides a robust foundation for these tasks.

The database also includes additional AMD benchmarks not shared with Intel. These include PassMark tests for data compression (506170), data encryption (26027), extended instructions (40888), find prime numbers (323), floating point math (94666), integer math (148508), multithread (42912), physics (2773), random string sorting (55248), and single thread (3967). These scores indicate strong performance across a wide range of compute patterns, though without Intel equivalents, direct comparisons are limited.

The Intel Core i5-14401E wins in one specific benchmark: Cinebench R23 singlecore. Its score of 2564 versus 1976 gives it a 22.9% advantage. This suggests that for lightly threaded workloads, particularly those that rely on a single core's peak performance, Intel may have an edge. Applications such as certain legacy software, some game engines that are poorly optimized for multi-threading, or tasks with strict single-thread dependencies could benefit from this result.

However, the Intel part's single-core win is isolated. In Cinebench R15 singlecore, AMD leads by 17.4%. The R23 result may reflect differences in how the two architectures handle the specific instruction mix in that benchmark rather than a universal single-thread advantage. The Intel part also has a higher per-core L2 cache (1.25 MB versus 1 MB), which could help in certain workloads.

The market segments dictate where each part fits. AMD is a mobile processor on Socket FP11, suited for high-performance laptops or compact systems. Intel is a desktop processor on Socket 1700, designed for traditional desktop builds. The choice between them depends on the form factor and platform requirements of the system being assembled.

The Verdict

The data points clearly to the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 as the higher-performing processor overall. It wins three of four head-to-head benchmarks, holds a 93rd percentile ranking versus Intel's 60th, and delivers more than double the Cinebench R15 multicore score. For anyone building a system where multi-threaded performance is the priority, the AMD part is the stronger choice based on the recorded measurements.

The Intel Core i5-14401E retains a specific advantage in Cinebench R23 singlecore. For workloads that are strictly single-threaded and sensitive to peak core speed, the Intel part may deliver better results. Its desktop socket and PCIe Gen 5 support also make it a fit for traditional desktop platforms that require those features.

The core count difference is the primary driver of the performance gap. AMD's 12 cores and 24 threads versus Intel's 6 cores and 12 threads explains the multi-core benchmark results. The larger L3 cache (64 MB versus 20 MB) and higher memory bandwidth (256.0 GB/s versus unlisted) further separate the two in memory-intensive tasks.

The AMD part's lower TDP (55 W versus 65 W) combined with higher performance indicates better efficiency, though the database does not provide measured power draw. The process node difference (4 nm versus 10 nm) supports this efficiency advantage at the silicon level.

For a mobile or compact system requiring maximum compute throughput, the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 is the data-supported choice. For a desktop build where single-core performance in R23-style workloads matters most, and where PCIe Gen 5 is required, the Intel Core i5-14401E offers a specific, narrower advantage. The overall benchmark record, however, favors AMD by a wide margin in multi-threaded tasks and by a modest margin in one of two single-threaded tests.