AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 vs Intel Core Ultra 7 356H Comparison

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 and Intel Core Ultra 7 356H are both 16-core mobile processors, but the benchmark data shows they occupy completely different performance tiers. The AMD part, built on the Zen 5 architecture, delivers a staggering average benchmark score of 80,762, placing it in the 95th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H, using Panther Lake, manages an average score of 41,215, which sits in the 87th percentile. This near-2x gap in average score, combined with the AMD chip’s 55W TDP versus Intel’s 25W TDP, frames a comparison between a high-performance flagship and a more efficiency-oriented mainstream part.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 wins 13 of the 15 head-to-head comparisons, and several of those victories are by massive margins. The most extreme example is in PassMark integer math, where AMD scores 190,720 against Intel’s 83,111, a delta of 129.5%. This indicates a fundamental advantage in raw integer throughput, likely stemming from the combination of 32 threads versus 16 threads and the larger cache hierarchy. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD chip posts 35,061 points versus 18,395 for Intel, a 90.6% advantage. This is the clearest demonstration of the AMD part’s multi-threaded dominance, as the 16 cores with simultaneous multithreading (32 threads) far outpace Intel’s 16 cores without SMT.

The data compression test shows a similar story, with AMD delivering 639,356 points against Intel’s 336,177, a 90.2% lead. Extended instructions also favor AMD heavily, 52,067 versus 27,898, a delta of 86.6%. Random string sorting goes to AMD by 71.1%, with scores of 70,150 and 40,990. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows AMD winning 5,247 to 3,055, a 71.8% margin. PassMark multithread gives AMD a 51.6% lead, 51,502 versus 33,978. Even in floating-point math, where Intel is often competitive, AMD wins by 16.9%, scoring 120,533 against 103,128. Physics simulation also goes to AMD, 3,189 versus 2,895, a 10.2% lead. Data encryption favors AMD by 24.7%, 32,840 versus 26,345.

The Intel part’s only two wins are narrow and specific. In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel scores 2,040 against AMD’s 2,012.5, a 1.3% lead. In PassMark find prime numbers, Intel scores 327 versus AMD’s 284, a 13.1% lead. These results suggest that Intel’s Panther Lake architecture has a slight edge in certain single-threaded integer workloads, but that advantage is small and does not compensate for the multi-threaded deficit. In PassMark single-thread, AMD edges out Intel by 0.1%, 4,078 versus 4,072, and the same margin applies to the single-threaded PassMark singlethread test. The Cinebench R15 single-core test also goes to AMD by 1%, 306 versus 303, meaning Intel’s single-core win is confined to the R23 test and the prime number search.

FAQ

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

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 is significantly ahead. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 35,061 versus 18,395 for the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H, a 90.6% advantage. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a 71.8% lead, 5,247 versus 3,055.

Q: How do the single-core scores compare?

A: The results are nearly tied. Intel wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 1.3%, 2,040 versus 2,012.5. AMD wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 1%, 306 versus 303, and PassMark single-thread by 0.1%, 4,078 versus 4,072.

Q: What is the difference in thread counts?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H has 16 cores and 16 threads. The AMD part uses simultaneous multithreading, doubling its thread count.

Q: Which chip has a larger shared cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 has 64 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H has 18 MB of shared L3 cache. AMD also has 1 MB of L2 per core, while Intel has 2.5 MB per core, and Intel has 192 KB of L1 per core versus AMD’s 80 KB per core.

Q: How does memory bandwidth differ?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 supports LPDDR5X memory over a quad-channel bus, delivering 256.0 GB/s. The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a dual-channel bus, delivering 115.2 GB/s.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H does not.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on different process nodes and foundries. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 uses a 4 nm TSMC process, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H uses a 3 nm Intel process. The AMD chip is based on the Zen 5 architecture, codenamed Strix Halo, and belongs to the Ryzen AI Max+ PRO generation. Intel’s part uses the Panther Lake architecture, specifically Panther Lake-H, and belongs to the Core Ultra Series 3 generation.

The core layouts differ in thread support. Both have 16 cores, but AMD enables 32 threads through SMT, while Intel runs 16 threads without SMT. The base and boost clocks also differ, with AMD starting at 3.00 GHz and boosting to 5.10 GHz, while Intel starts at 1.90 GHz and boosts to 4.70 GHz. The cache hierarchy is distinct: AMD provides 80 KB of L1 and 1 MB of L2 per core, plus 64 MB of shared L3. Intel provides 192 KB of L1 and 2.5 MB of L2 per core, plus 18 MB of shared L3. This means Intel has more per-core cache, but AMD has a much larger shared L3 pool.

Memory support is a major differentiator. AMD uses LPDDR5X exclusively on a quad-channel bus, delivering 256.0 GB/s of bandwidth, and supports ECC. Intel supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X on a dual-channel bus, delivering 115.2 GB/s, and does not support ECC. PCIe connectivity also differs: AMD uses Gen 4 with 16 CPU lanes, while Intel uses Gen 5 with 12 CPU lanes. The integrated graphics differ as well, with AMD featuring the Radeon 8060S and Intel featuring Intel Xe3 Graphics.

The sockets are incompatible: AMD uses AMD Socket FP11, while Intel uses Intel BGA 2540. The TDP ratings reflect their positioning, with AMD at 55W and Intel at 25W. Both are listed as Active production parts, but their release dates differ, with AMD released on 2025-01-05 and Intel on 2026-01-04. Neither has an unlocked multiplier, and neither has a launch MSRP in the database.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear performance hierarchy. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 is the outright performance leader, with an average benchmark score of 80,762 versus 41,215 for the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H. The AMD part’s 95th percentile ranking versus Intel’s 87th percentile reinforces this gap. The head-to-head results show AMD winning 13 of 15 tests, with the largest margins in multi-threaded and integer-heavy workloads. The 129.5% lead in integer math and the 90.6% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core are decisive.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H has a few narrow wins, specifically in Cinebench R23 single-core and PassMark prime number finding. These indicate a slight advantage in specific single-threaded integer tasks, but the overall single-thread performance is essentially a tie, with AMD winning the other two single-thread tests by 0.1% and 1%. The Intel part also has a lower TDP of 25W versus 55W, which suggests it may be suited for more power-constrained designs, but the benchmark data does not quantify power efficiency directly.

For workloads that rely on multi-core scaling, data compression, encryption, or extensive integer math, the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 is the stronger choice by a wide margin. For users who prioritize the narrow single-core Cinebench R23 scenario or prime number calculations, the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H holds a small edge. The AMD chip’s larger L3 cache, higher memory bandwidth, and ECC support make it the more capable platform for memory-intensive tasks. The Intel chip’s per-core cache is larger and its process node is smaller, but those traits do not translate into benchmark wins outside of the two specific tests.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on nearly every specification field. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 has a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H has a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. Both have 16 cores, but AMD has 32 threads versus Intel’s 16 threads. The TDP is 55W for AMD and 25W for Intel. The sockets are AMD Socket FP11 and Intel BGA 2540, respectively.

Cache configurations are distinct: AMD uses 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of shared L3. Intel uses 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. Memory support is LPDDR5X for AMD, and DDR5 plus LPDDR5X for Intel. AMD has a quad-channel memory bus with 256.0 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support, while Intel has a dual-channel bus with 115.2 GB/s and no ECC. PCIe lanes are Gen 4 with 16 lanes for AMD, and Gen 5 with 12 lanes for Intel. Integrated graphics are Radeon 8060S for AMD and Intel Xe3 Graphics for Intel. The process nodes are 4 nm TSMC for AMD and 3 nm Intel for Intel. Release dates are 2025-01-05 for AMD and 2026-01-04 for Intel. Both are active production parts with no unlocked multiplier and no launch MSRP.