AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 vs Intel Xeon 636 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a clear split between these two 12-core, 24-thread processors. The Intel Xeon 636 takes 9 of the 15 recorded head-to-head wins, but the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 claims 6, and some of those wins are decisive.

The most dramatic Intel victory comes in the Cinebench R23 single-core test. The Xeon 636 scores 5330 versus the AMD's 1976, a massive 62.9% advantage. This is not a small gap; it represents a fundamental difference in per-thread capability. The Cinebench R15 single-core result reinforces this, with Intel scoring 537 against AMD's 303, a 43.6% lead.

Multi-core Cinebench also favors Intel, but the margin is not as lopsided. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Xeon 636 posts 37757, which is 34.2% ahead of the Ryzen's 24828. Interestingly, the older Cinebench R15 multi-core test flips the result: the AMD chip wins with 3918 versus 3805, a modest but real 3% advantage.

PassMark tests show a mixed bag. Intel wins data compression (550395 vs 506170, an 8% margin), data encryption (27193 vs 26027, 4.3% ahead), extended instructions (43282 vs 40888, 5.5% ahead), floating-point math (107826 vs 94666, 12.2% ahead), multithread (44421 vs 42912, 3.4% ahead), and physics (3645 vs 2773, a significant 23.9% lead).

AMD's PassMark wins are concentrated in different areas. The most dramatic is find prime numbers, where AMD scores 323 against Intel's 255, a 26.7% advantage. Integer math also favors AMD at 148508 vs 138281, a 7.4% edge. The AMD wins random string sorting by a slim 1.5% (55248 vs 54420) and single-thread by 0.8% (3967 vs 3937). The two single-thread PassMark entries are duplicates and show the same result.

The data shows that Intel dominates in synthetic multi-core and single-core rendering workloads, as well as in physics and floating-point calculations. AMD's wins are concentrated in specific integer and logical operations, particularly prime number calculation and string sorting.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon 636 is the clear choice for heavily threaded, floating-point heavy workloads. Its 12.2% lead in floating-point math over the AMD and 23.9% lead in physics simulation point to strengths in engineering and scientific simulations. The Cinebench results, particularly the 34.2% multi-core and 62.9% single-core leads, make it the stronger option for 3D rendering and content creation where both single-threaded and multi-threaded performance matter.

The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 is the better pick for integer-centric tasks. The 7.4% win in integer math and 26.7% win in prime number finding suggest an edge in cryptography, hashing, and certain database workloads. Its 1.5% advantage in random string sorting also indicates a slight edge in data processing pipelines. The close 0.8% single-thread PassMark win hints that in certain narrow single-threaded workloads, the AMD is not far behind, despite the massive Cinebench single-thread deficit.

Consider the overall average benchmark score: the AMD sits at 63765, which lands in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Xeon 636 averages 61360, placing it in the 92nd percentile. Both are elite-tier performers, but the AMD's higher average and percentile shows a more consistent performance level across the test suite. The Intel wins more individual tests, but the AMD wins the ones that matter for its average.

Architecture Differences

The two chips are engineered for entirely different environments. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 uses the Zen 5 architecture on the Strix Halo codename, fabricated on a 4nm process at TSMC. It is a mobile part. The Intel Xeon 636 uses the Granite Rapids architecture, fabricated on a 5nm process at Intel, and is a server/workstation part. This is a fundamental split: one is built for power efficiency in a laptop or small form factor, the other for raw throughput in a server socket.

The cache hierarchy differs significantly. AMD allocates 80 KB of L1 and 1 MB of L2 per core, with a large 64 MB shared L3 cache. Intel provides more L1 and L2 per core (112 KB L1 and 2 MB L2), but its shared L3 is smaller at 48 MB. The larger L3 on the AMD may explain its wins in integer and string operations, which often benefit from larger working sets.

Memory support also diverges. The AMD uses LPDDR5X memory in a quad-channel configuration, delivering 256.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel uses DDR5 memory, also quad-channel, but rated at 204.8 GB/s. The AMD has a 25% bandwidth advantage, which is a notable difference for memory-intensive workloads. Both support ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity is a major differentiator. The AMD provides PCIe Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only), standard for a mobile part. The Intel Xeon 636 provides Gen 5 and 80 lanes (CPU only), far more expansion capability for server and workstation I/O. The Intel also has no integrated graphics (N/A), while the AMD includes a Radeon 8050S iGPU.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on several key specification fields. The base clock is one difference: the Intel runs at 3.50 GHz, the AMD at 3.20 GHz. The boost clock is higher on the AMD, at 5.00 GHz vs 4.70 GHz on Intel. The TDP is a major separation, the Intel is rated at 170W while the AMD is 55W, a 115W difference that explains the form factor gap.

The socket and generation fields are distinct: the AMD uses Socket FP11 and belongs to the Ryzen AI Max PRO (Zen 5) generation, while the Intel uses Socket 4710 and belongs to the Xeon 600 (Granite Rapids-WS) generation. The die size is also a difference: the Intel has a 598 mm² die, while the AMD's die size is not recorded. The market segments split them: the AMD is for Mobile, the Intel is for Server/Workstation. The Intel has an unlocked multiplier; the AMD does not. The AMD was released on 2025-01-05, and the Intel on 2026-02-01, and the Intel has a launch MSRP of $639. The Intel also has a part number (SA2DM) while the AMD's part number is 100-000001421.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher clock speeds?

A: The Intel Xeon 636 has a higher base clock at 3.50 GHz versus 3.20 GHz, but the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 has a higher boost clock at 5.00 GHz versus 4.70 GHz.

Q: Which one is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Xeon 636 is significantly faster, scoring 37757 versus 24828, a 34.2% lead.

Q: How do they compare in single-thread performance?

A: The Intel dominates the Cinebench R23 single-core test (5330 vs 1976, a 62.9% lead), but the AMD wins the PassMark single-thread test by a small margin (3967 vs 3937, a 0.8% lead).

Q: Which processor has the larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD has a larger 64 MB shared L3 cache, while the Intel has a 48 MB shared L3 cache.

Q: What are the memory bandwidth differences?

A: The AMD supports LPDDR5X with a 256.0 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel supports DDR5 with 204.8 GB/s, giving the AMD a 25% bandwidth advantage.

Q: Which one has more PCIe lanes?

A: The Intel has far more, with Gen 5 and 80 lanes, while the AMD has Gen 4 and 16 lanes.