AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 338H Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H has 12 cores and 12 threads. The AMD part also features a higher boost clock at 5.10 GHz compared to 4.70 GHz on the Intel.

Q: What process node does each chip use?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 is built on a 4 nm process at TSMC, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H uses a 3 nm process at Intel. The AMD chip uses the Zen 5 architecture (Strix Halo), and the Intel chip uses Panther Lake architecture.

Q: How do their benchmark scores compare overall?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 has an average benchmark score of 80762 and sits in the 95th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H has an average score of 33989 and sits in the 84th percentile. The AMD part's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon 638 and AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX, while the Intel part competes with the Intel Core Ultra 7 165H and Core i7-12800HX.

Q: Which chip wins in single-core tests?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H wins in Cinebench R23 single-core (2044 vs 2012.5, a 1.5% advantage) and in PassMark single-thread (4180 vs 4078, a 2.4% advantage). The AMD part wins Cinebench R15 single-core by a slim 0.3% margin.

Q: What are the memory specifications for each processor?

A: Both support LPDDR5X memory. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 uses a quad-channel memory bus with 256.0 GB/s bandwidth and supports ECC. The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H uses a dual-channel bus with 136.5 GB/s bandwidth and does not support ECC.

Q: How many benchmark wins does each processor claim in the head-to-head comparison?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 wins 11 of the 15 head-to-head tests. The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H wins 4 tests: Cinebench R23 single-core, PassMark find prime numbers, and both PassMark single-thread listings.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 dominates the multi-threaded and compute-heavy test categories. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the AMD part scores 35061 against 16331 for the Intel chip, a 114.7% advantage. The Cinebench R15 multicore result shows a similar gap at 109.5% (5247 vs 2504). PassMark integer math delivers the largest delta on the AMD side: 190720 vs 64934, which is 193.7% ahead. Data compression also favors AMD heavily at 639356 vs 276539, a 131.2% lead. Extended instructions show a 117.8% advantage (52067 vs 23906), and random string sorting lands at 105.8% (70150 vs 34082). Floating point math is 43.4% higher (120533 vs 84067), and encryption is 53.7% higher (32840 vs 21367). The PassMark multithread score reflects the general trend: 51502 vs 28717, a 79.3% gap. Physics also goes to AMD, with 3189 vs 2697, an 18.2% advantage.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H takes the single-thread efficiency wins. PassMark single-thread shows 4180 vs 4078, a 2.4% lead. Cinebench R23 single-core is 2044 vs 2012.5, a 1.5% lead. The find prime numbers test goes to Intel at 304 vs 284, a 6.6% advantage. Cinebench R15 single-core is effectively tied: 306 vs 305, with AMD ahead by 0.3%.

The pattern is clear: AMD wins where core count and memory bandwidth matter, Intel wins where single-thread latency and efficiency are the deciding factors. The AMD chip's 16 cores and 32 threads give it a structural edge in parallel workloads, while the Intel chip's higher single-thread scores suggest better per-core performance in lightly threaded tasks.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 uses the Zen 5 architecture under the Strix Halo codename. It is built on a 4 nm process at TSMC and belongs to the Ryzen AI Max+ PRO generation. The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H uses the Panther Lake architecture, built on a 3 nm process at Intel's own foundry, and belongs to the Core Ultra Series 3 generation.

Cache layouts differ substantially. The AMD chip has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip has 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part's larger shared L3 pool (64 MB vs 18 MB) supports its high-bandwidth memory design. The Intel part's larger per-core L1 and L2 allocations reflect a different approach to cache hierarchy.

Memory architecture also diverges. The AMD chip uses a quad-channel LPDDR5X interface with 256.0 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support. The Intel chip uses a dual-channel LPDDR5X interface with 136.5 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC support. The AMD part's memory bandwidth is roughly 87% higher, which directly benefits memory-intensive workloads.

PCIe connectivity differs. The AMD processor provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Intel processor provides Gen 5 with 4 lanes (CPU only). The Intel part has newer PCIe generation but far fewer lanes, while the AMD part has more lanes at an older generation.

Integrated graphics also differ. The AMD chip uses the Radeon 8060S, while the Intel chip uses the Arc B370. Both are mobile processors with active production status. The AMD part was released on January 5, 2025, and the Intel part on January 4, 2026. Neither has a multiplier unlocked, so overclocking is not available on either chip.

Socket and packaging are entirely different: the AMD part uses AMD Socket FP11, while the Intel part uses Intel BGA 2540. The part numbers are 100-000001243 for AMD and SA4REQ9EW for Intel.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts create the most visible difference. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H has 12 cores and 12 threads. The Intel chip lacks Hyper-Threading or equivalent technology, which explains its 12-thread count matching its core count.

Clock speeds differ. The AMD chip has a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. The Intel chip has a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The AMD part runs 1.10 GHz higher at base and 0.40 GHz higher at boost.

Thermal design power is another differentiator. The AMD chip has a TDP of 55 watts, while the Intel chip has a TDP of 25 watts. The AMD part draws more power but delivers significantly higher multi-thread performance.

Memory bus width and bandwidth are major specification differences. The AMD chip supports quad-channel memory with 256.0 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel chip supports dual-channel memory with 136.5 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory is supported on the AMD chip but not on the Intel chip.

The cache specifications do not align across cores. The AMD chip has 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 64 MB shared L3. The Intel chip has 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 18 MB shared L3. The AMD chip's total L3 is significantly larger.

PCIe specifications differ in both generation and lane count. The AMD chip uses Gen 4 with 16 CPU-only lanes. The Intel chip uses Gen 5 with 4 CPU-only lanes. Process nodes also differ: 4 nm TSMC for AMD, 3 nm Intel for Intel.

Integrated graphics differ by model: Radeon 8060S on the AMD chip, Arc B370 on the Intel chip. Both are mobile processors with active production status.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R23 multicore test shows the largest gap in the rendering workloads. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 scores 35061 against 16331 for the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H, a 114.7% advantage. Cinebench R15 multicore follows the same pattern: 5247 vs 2504, a 109.5% delta.

PassMark integer math produces the biggest single delta in the entire comparison. The AMD chip scores 190720 versus 64934 for Intel, which is 193.7% higher. This test stresses raw integer throughput, and the AMD chip's 16 cores and 32 threads overwhelm the Intel chip's 12 cores and 12 threads.

Data compression shows a 131.2% lead for AMD (639356 vs 276539). Extended instructions give AMD a 117.8% edge (52067 vs 23906). Random string sorting lands at 105.8% in favor of AMD (70150 vs 34082). These three PassMark tests all reward parallel execution and memory bandwidth, two areas where the AMD chip has structural advantages.

PassMark multithread score confirms the trend with 51502 for AMD versus 28717 for Intel, a 79.3% gap. Floating point math shows a narrower but still decisive margin: 120533 vs 84067, a 43.4% lead. Data encryption gives AMD a 53.7% advantage (32840 vs 21367). Physics is the closest AMD win at 18.2% (3189 vs 2697).

The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H takes four wins, all in single-thread or lightweight integer work. PassMark single-thread shows 4180 vs 4078, a 2.4% lead for Intel. The duplicate PassMark singlethread entry shows the identical result. Cinebench R23 single-core gives Intel a 1.5% edge (2044 vs 2012.5). Find prime numbers goes to Intel by 6.6% (304 vs 284). Cinebench R15 single-core is the closest test in the entire set: 306 vs 305, a 0.3% win for AMD.

The benchmark data indicates that the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 is the superior processor for parallel and memory-bound workloads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H holds a modest lead in single-thread tests. The AMD chip's 55-watt TDP and quad-channel memory interface deliver far higher throughput in multi-threaded scenarios. The Intel chip's 25-watt TDP and dual-channel memory interface keep it competitive only in lightly threaded tasks. The 11-to-4 win split in head-to-head tests matches the architecture differences.