AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 vs Intel Core i5-14490F Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The recorded benchmark split is decisive: the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 wins 13 of 15 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core i5-14490F takes only 2. This is not a close contest in overall workload coverage, but the two losses for Intel are both single-core Cinebench tests, which points to a clear division of labor.

The AMD part dominates in multi-threaded and data-heavy workloads. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 3918 against Intel's 2318, a 69% advantage. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the margin narrows to 7.9% (24828 vs 23000), but the AMD still wins. PassMark workloads show even wider gaps: data compression goes to AMD by 48.9%, data encryption by 42.8%, extended instructions by 88.2%, and integer math by 69.1%. The largest single delta is in prime number finding, where AMD leads by 164.8% (323 vs 122).

The Intel Core i5-14490F wins in Cinebench R15 single-core (327 vs 303, a 7.3% edge) and Cinebench R23 single-core (3247 vs 1976, a 39.1% edge). That R23 single-core gap is massive, suggesting Intel's per-core frequency and architecture deliver far better lightly-threaded rendering performance. However, in PassMark single-thread tests, the AMD actually wins by a slim 2.4% (3967 vs 3873), which complicates the story. Intel's single-core Cinebench wins are real but do not translate to all single-thread metrics.

The use-case split is therefore: AMD for parallel compute, encryption, compression, math, and physics; Intel for specific single-thread Cinebench rendering scenarios. The AMD also holds a 93rd percentile ranking versus all CPUs, while Intel sits at the 86th percentile. Average benchmark scores confirm the gap: AMD at 63765, Intel at 38149.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 uses the Zen 5 architecture on a 4 nm TSMC process, codenamed Strix Halo. It is a mobile segment part on AMD Socket FP11. The Intel Core i5-14490F uses Raptor Lake (specifically Raptor Lake-R) on Intel's 10 nm process, a desktop part on Socket 1700.

Core counts differ significantly: AMD has 12 cores and 24 threads, Intel has 10 cores and 16 threads. Both boost to 5.00 GHz, but the base clocks diverge: AMD at 3.20 GHz, Intel at 2.50 GHz. The AMD's higher base clock and extra threads likely contribute to its multi-core wins, while Intel's single-core Cinebench advantage may stem from its Raptor Lake core design and boost behavior.

Cache layouts differ in the L2 and L3 tiers. Both have 80 KB L1 per core. AMD has 1 MB L2 per core, Intel has 1.25 MB per core. The L3 cache is the standout: AMD offers 64 MB shared, Intel only 24 MB shared. That 40 MB difference could explain AMD's large wins in data compression, encryption, and extended instructions, which often benefit from large caches.

Memory support also diverges. AMD uses LPDDR5X with a quad-channel bus and 256.0 GB/s bandwidth, plus ECC support. Intel uses DDR4 or DDR5 with a dual-channel bus, no ECC, and no listed bandwidth figure. The AMD's quad-channel memory and higher bandwidth likely feed its multi-threaded and data-heavy workloads more effectively.

PCIe generations differ: AMD provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only), Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics separate them further: AMD includes a Radeon 8050S, Intel has no integrated graphics (N/A). The AMD also has a larger die in terms of process advantage (4 nm vs 10 nm), though Intel lists a die size of 215 mm² while AMD does not list one.

Release dates are close, but distinct: AMD on 2025-01-05, Intel on 2023-12-31. Neither has a launch MSRP listed in the database.

The Verdict

The data indicates a clear recommendation for multi-threaded and data-intensive workloads: the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390. It wins 13 of 15 head-to-head tests, including all PassMark categories except none (it wins all PassMark tests listed). Its average benchmark score is 67.1% higher than Intel's (63765 vs 38149). For anyone running compression, encryption, extended instruction sets, prime number calculations, floating point math, integer math, multithreaded tasks, physics, or random string sorting, the AMD is the stronger choice by margins ranging from 32.5% to 164.8%.

The Intel Core i5-14490F is the pick only for specific single-core Cinebench rendering tasks. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it leads by 7.3%; in R23 single-core, it leads by 39.1%. That R23 margin is substantial and cannot be ignored for applications that rely heavily on single-threaded Cinebench-style workloads. However, the PassMark single-thread test shows AMD winning by 2.4%, meaning Intel's advantage is not universal across all single-threaded benchmarks.

The percentile rankings reinforce the overall picture: AMD sits at 93rd percentile versus all CPUs, Intel at 86th. The nearest rivals for AMD include Intel Core i9-13900KS (delta -0.4%), AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G (delta 0.7%), AMD EPYC 7343 (delta -0.7%), and Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX (delta 0.9%). For Intel, the nearest rivals are Intel Core Ultra 5 245T (delta -0.1%), Intel Core i5-13600KF (delta 0.1%), AMD Ryzen 7 250 (delta -0.2%), and Intel Core i5-13600HX (delta -0.3%).

The verdict: choose AMD for parallel compute and data-heavy tasks, choose Intel only for specific single-threaded Cinebench scenarios. The AMD's 12 cores, 24 threads, 64 MB L3, and quad-channel memory provide a broader performance envelope.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU wins more benchmarks overall?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 wins 13 of 15 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core i5-14490F wins 2.

Q: Where does the Intel Core i5-14490F outperform the AMD?

A: Intel wins in Cinebench R15 single-core (327 vs 303) and Cinebench R23 single-core (3247 vs 1976). It also has a larger L2 cache per core (1.25 MB vs 1 MB) and supports PCIe Gen 5.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest delta is in PassMark find prime numbers, where AMD scores 323 versus Intel's 122, a 164.8% advantage.

Q: How do the memory systems differ?

A: AMD uses LPDDR5X with a quad-channel bus and 256.0 GB/s bandwidth, plus ECC support. Intel uses DDR4 or DDR5 with a dual-channel bus, no ECC, and no listed bandwidth.

Q: Which CPU has more cache?

A: AMD has 64 MB shared L3 cache, Intel has 24 MB shared L3. Both have 80 KB L1 per core, but Intel has 1.25 MB L2 per core versus AMD's 1 MB.

Q: Do both CPUs boost to the same clock speed?

A: Yes, both have a 5.00 GHz boost clock. However, AMD has a higher base clock at 3.20 GHz, while Intel's base clock is 2.50 GHz.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest wins for AMD come in compute-heavy and data-oriented tests. In PassMark find prime numbers, AMD leads by 164.8% (323 vs 122). Extended instructions show an 88.2% gap (40888 vs 21731). Integer math follows with a 69.1% advantage (148508 vs 87844). Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a 69% gap (3918 vs 2318). Random string sorting goes to AMD by 55.2% (55248 vs 35608). PassMark multithread shows a 49.7% edge (42912 vs 28662). Data compression is 48.9% higher for AMD (506170 vs 340026). Data encryption shows 42.8% (26027 vs 18225), and floating point math shows 42.2% (94666 vs 66558). Physics goes to AMD by 32.5% (2773 vs 2093).

The two Intel wins are both in Cinebench single-core tests. In R15 single-core, Intel leads by 7.3% (327 vs 303). In R23 single-core, the lead expands to 39.1% (3247 vs 1976). These are the only tests where Intel comes out ahead.

The two PassMark single-thread tests (listed as passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread) show identical scores: AMD at 3967, Intel at 3873, giving AMD a 2.4% win. This is the narrowest margin across all tests. The Cinebench R23 multi-core test is the second-narrowest: AMD wins by 7.9% (24828 vs 23000).

The data suggests AMD's dominance is broad but not universal. Intel's single-core Cinebench wins are significant, especially the 39.1% lead in R23, but they do not extend to PassMark single-thread testing. The overall average benchmark score confirms AMD's lead: 63765 versus 38149, a 67.1% difference.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 | Intel Core i5-14490F |

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

| Cores | 12 | 10 |

| Threads | 24 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 65 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP11 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Zen 5 | Raptor Lake |

| Process Node | 4 nm (TSMC) | 10 nm (Intel) |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB per core | 1.25 MB per core |

| L3 Cache | 64 MB shared | 24 MB shared |

| Memory Support | LPDDR5X | DDR4, DDR5 |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 256.0 GB/s | Not listed |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

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

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 8050S | N/A |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2025-01-05 | 2023-12-31 |

The L1 cache is identical at 80 KB per core for both. Neither CPU has an unlocked multiplier. The AMD part number is 100-000001421, Intel's is SRN35. Both are listed as Active in production status. The AMD uses a 4 nm process from TSMC, while Intel uses a 10 nm process from its own foundry. Intel lists a die size of 215 mm², but AMD does not provide one in the database.