AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 vs Intel Core Ultra X9 378H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded benchmark data presents a fascinating split between the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 and the Intel Core Ultra X9 378H. Intel wins 9 of the 15 head-to-head comparisons, but AMD takes the crown in several high-impact workloads, including the largest single delta in the entire dataset. The AMD part leads integer math by a commanding 60.4%, scoring 148508 against Intel's 92603. This is not a marginal victory; it is a decisive advantage in a core CPU discipline.

AMD also demonstrates strength in data compression, scoring 506170 versus Intel's 386591, a 30.9% lead. Extended instructions follow a similar pattern, with AMD at 40888 and Intel at 31315, a 30.6% margin. Random string sorting favors AMD by 23.7% (55248 versus 44648), and the PassMark multithread test shows AMD ahead by 12% (42912 versus 38298). In Cinebench R15 multicore, AMD wins 3918 to 3281, a 19.4% advantage.

Intel's wins are concentrated in single-core and floating-point workloads. The most dramatic gap appears in Cinebench R23 singlecore, where Intel scores 4595 against AMD's 1976, a 57% deficit for AMD. Cinebench R15 singlecore shows Intel at 462 versus AMD's 303, a 34.4% lead. Even in Cinebench R23 multicore, Intel manages to outperform AMD despite having fewer threads, scoring 32553 versus 24828, a 23.7% margin. PassMark single-thread favors Intel by 10.9% (4453 versus 3967), and floating-point math shows Intel at 114500 versus AMD's 94666, a 17.3% edge. Intel also wins data encryption by 12.8% (29840 versus 26027), find prime numbers by 9.5% (357 versus 323), and physics by 18.5% (3404 versus 2773).

The overall average benchmark score tells a nuanced story. AMD's average sits at 63765, placing it in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs. Intel's average is 47468, placing it in the 89th percentile. AMD's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i9-13900KS with an average score of 64051 and a delta of -0.4%, plus the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G at 63331 with a 0.7% delta. Intel's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 5945 at 47527 (-0.1%) and the Intel Core i7-13700KF at 47330 (0.3%). The data indicates AMD holds a higher overall standing, yet Intel wins more individual tests, which suggests a workload-dependent relationship.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge sharply in their fundamental designs. AMD employs a 12-core, 24-thread configuration built on the Zen 5 architecture, codenamed Strix Halo. Intel counters with a 16-core, 16-thread design based on the Panther Lake codename, part of the Core Ultra Series 3 generation. AMD's core count is lower, but simultaneous multithreading doubles its thread count, while Intel's cores run without hyperthreading, yielding only 16 threads.

The process nodes differ significantly. AMD uses a 4 nm process from TSMC, while Intel uses a 3 nm process from its own foundry. This process advantage may contribute to Intel's higher single-core clocks, though both parts boost to 5.00 GHz. Base clocks tell a different story: AMD starts at 3.20 GHz, while Intel starts at 2.00 GHz. AMD's higher base clock suggests a more consistent sustained performance profile, while Intel's lower base with equal boost indicates a more aggressive burst behavior.

Cache hierarchies are entirely different. AMD allocates 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a substantial 64 MB of shared L3 cache. Intel allocates 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, but only 18 MB of shared L3. Intel's per-core L1 and L2 are larger, but AMD's L3 is over 3.5 times bigger, which explains its dominance in compression and integer workloads that benefit from large working sets.

Memory architecture adds another layer of differentiation. Both support LPDDR5X memory, but AMD runs quad-channel with a bandwidth of 256.0 GB/s, while Intel runs dual-channel at 153.6 GB/s. AMD's bandwidth advantage is substantial and likely underpins its multithread and data-heavy wins. AMD also supports ECC memory, while Intel does not. PCIe connectivity differs: AMD provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes, while Intel provides Gen 5 with only 4 lanes. Intel's PCIe generation is newer, but AMD offers far more lanes for expansion.

Integrated graphics also differ, with AMD featuring the Radeon 8050S and Intel featuring the Arc B390. Both are mobile processors, with AMD on Socket FP11 and Intel on BGA 2540. AMD's TDP is 55 watts, while Intel's is 25 watts, which explains why AMD's higher power envelope might enable sustained multithread performance despite Intel's process advantage.

Where Each One Wins

AMD's wins cluster around workloads that exploit its massive L3 cache, high memory bandwidth, and multithreading. Data compression, integer math, extended instructions, and random string sorting all involve large data movement or parallel integer operations. The 30.9% compression lead and 60.4% integer math lead indicate AMD is better suited for database processing, scientific computation, and any workload that can leverage its 24 threads and 256.0 GB/s memory bandwidth. The PassMark multithread win at 12% reinforces this pattern.

Intel's wins concentrate in single-threaded responsiveness and floating-point-heavy tasks. The 57% lead in Cinebench R23 singlecore is enormous, suggesting Intel's per-core IPC and clock behavior at 5.00 GHz yields a massive advantage in lightly threaded applications. Floating-point math at 17.3% ahead, physics at 18.5% ahead, and data encryption at 12.8% ahead all point to workloads that favor Intel's execution units. Intel also wins Cinebench R23 multicore despite having fewer threads, which indicates its single-core strength carries over to multi-core rendering tasks where per-thread efficiency matters more than thread count.

The split creates a clear use-case separation. AMD wins where parallelism and data bandwidth dominate. Intel wins where single-core speed and floating-point precision dominate. For interactive workloads, legacy single-threaded applications, or physics simulations, Intel appears superior. For server-like tasks, batch processing, or memory-intensive operations, AMD appears superior.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher overall benchmark percentile?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 sits in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel Core Ultra X9 378H sits in the 89th percentile, according to the recorded data.

Q: How do the two compare in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: Intel wins with a score of 32553 versus AMD's 24828, a 23.7% margin, despite AMD having 24 threads versus Intel's 16 threads.

Q: What is the largest benchmark margin between the two?

A: The largest margin is in Cinebench R23 singlecore, where Intel leads by 57%, scoring 4595 against AMD's 1976.

Q: Does AMD have any significant wins?

A: Yes, AMD leads integer math by 60.4% (148508 versus 92603), data compression by 30.9% (506170 versus 386591), and extended instructions by 30.6% (40888 versus 31315).

Q: What memory bandwidth does each support?

A: AMD supports quad-channel LPDDR5X at 256.0 GB/s, while Intel supports dual-channel LPDDR5X at 153.6 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: Intel has more physical cores at 16, but AMD has more threads at 24 due to simultaneous multithreading. Intel has 16 threads total.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every core specification. AMD has 12 cores and 24 threads, while Intel has 16 cores and 16 threads. AMD's base clock is 3.20 GHz, and Intel's is 2.00 GHz, though both boost to 5.00 GHz. AMD's TDP is 55 watts, while Intel's is 25 watts. AMD uses Socket FP11, and Intel uses BGA 2540. AMD's architecture is Zen 5 with the Strix Halo codename, while Intel's architecture is not listed in the database, though its codename is Panther Lake and its series is Core Ultra Series 3. AMD uses a 4 nm TSMC process, while Intel uses a 3 nm Intel process.

Cache configurations differ: AMD has 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 64 MB shared L3. Intel has 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 18 MB shared L3. Memory support is identical in type (LPDDR5X), but AMD runs quad-channel at 256.0 GB/s, while Intel runs dual-channel at 153.6 GB/s. AMD supports ECC memory; Intel does not. AMD provides PCIe Gen 4 with 16 lanes, while Intel provides PCIe Gen 5 with 4 lanes. Integrated graphics differ: AMD has Radeon 8050S, and Intel has Arc B390. AMD's release date is 2025-01-05, while Intel's is 2026-04-03. AMD's part number is 100-000001421, while Intel's is unknown. Both have locked multipliers.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear choice based on workload priorities. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 delivers superior results in data compression (30.9% ahead), integer math (60.4% ahead), extended instructions (30.6% ahead), random string sorting (23.7% ahead), and PassMark multithread (12% ahead). Its 64 MB L3 cache, quad-channel memory at 256.0 GB/s, and 24 threads make it the stronger option for parallel, memory-bound, and integer-heavy applications. Its 93rd percentile ranking and average score of 63765 also place it higher overall than Intel's 89th percentile and 47468 average.

The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H wins where single-core speed and floating-point performance matter. Its 57% lead in Cinebench R23 singlecore and 34.4% lead in Cinebench R15 singlecore are exceptional. It also wins Cinebench R23 multicore by 23.7%, floating-point math by 17.3%, physics by 18.5%, data encryption by 12.8%, and find prime numbers by 9.5%. Its 3 nm process, larger per-core L1 and L2 caches, and 5.00 GHz boost clock support these victories. The 25-watt TDP also indicates higher power efficiency.

For users running rendering workloads that favor per-thread efficiency, single-threaded legacy software, or floating-point simulations, Intel is the data-backed choice. For users running database operations, compression pipelines, or heavily threaded integer workloads, AMD is the data-backed choice. The overall average score favors AMD, but the head-to-head wins favor Intel, meaning the correct selection depends entirely on the target workload profile.