AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 vs Intel Xeon 6736P Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Xeon 6736P and AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 could hardly be more different in design philosophy, and the benchmark data reflects that split clearly. Out of 15 recorded head-to-head tests, the Intel Xeon 6736P takes 11 wins, while the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 secures 4. The margin of victory, however, tells a more nuanced story.

The Intel Xeon 6736P dominates in raw single-core Cinebench performance. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Xeon scores 6008 against the AMD's 2012.5, a staggering 198.5% advantage. The gap is even more pronounced in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Xeon posts 605 versus 306, a 97.7% lead. These are not minor differences; they represent a fundamental performance tier gap in lightly threaded workloads.

Multi-core Cinebench results are more competitive but still favor Intel. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Xeon scores 42561 versus 35061, a 21.4% win. Interestingly, the older Cinebench R15 multi-core test flips the result: the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 scores 5247 against the Xeon's 4290, an 18.2% advantage. This suggests the AMD part handles the older benchmark's threading pattern more efficiently, while the Xeon's 36 cores and 72 threads scale better in the newer R23 workload.

PassMark results reinforce the Intel advantage in most compute-heavy tasks. Data compression shows the Xeon at 796658 versus 639356, a 24.6% lead. Data encryption favors Intel even more strongly: 46236 versus 32840, a 40.8% margin. Floating point math goes to Intel at 149770 versus 120533, a 24.3% win. Prime number finding, a test sensitive to memory latency and integer throughput, sees the Xeon at 392 versus 284, a 38% advantage.

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 takes its wins in specific areas. PassMark single-thread performance is a clear victory: 4078 versus 2024, a 50.4% lead for AMD. This is a significant reversal given the Cinebench single-core results, indicating the AMD's Zen 5 architecture excels in the PassMark single-thread workload specifically. The AMD also wins PassMark multithread, scoring 51502 versus 50072, a slim 2.8% edge. Extended instructions and integer math are close calls: Intel wins extended instructions at 55563 versus 52067, a 6.7% margin, and integer math at 206833 versus 190720, an 8.4% lead. Random string sorting goes decisively to Intel at 103723 versus 70150, a 47.9% difference.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon 6736P is the clear choice for workloads that demand massive parallel throughput and heavy data manipulation. Its 36 cores and 72 threads deliver dominant results in Cinebench R23 multi-core, data compression, encryption, floating point math, and prime number finding. The 40.8% lead in encryption and 47.9% lead in random string sorting point to a processor built for server-side data processing, database operations, and scientific computing. The 104.8% advantage in PassMark physics (6531 versus 3189) further cements its position for simulation and physics-based rendering tasks.

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 wins in areas that favor its higher boost clock and architectural efficiency. Its 5.10 GHz boost clock against the Xeon's 4.10 GHz helps explain the PassMark single-thread victory at 4078 versus 2024. The AMD part also edges out the Xeon in PassMark multithread, suggesting that for workloads that are well-optimized for its 16 cores and 32 threads, it can match or slightly exceed the Intel part despite having fewer cores. The Cinebench R15 multi-core win (5247 versus 4290) indicates the AMD part handles certain legacy multi-threaded workloads better.

The data suggests a clear split: the Intel Xeon 6736P for sustained multi-core server workloads, and the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 for single-threaded responsiveness and specific legacy multi-threaded tasks.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core Cinebench R23 score?

A: The Intel Xeon 6736P scores 6008 versus the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395's 2012.5, giving Intel a 198.5% advantage in this test.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 win any PassMark benchmarks?

A: Yes, it wins PassMark single-thread (4078 versus 2024, a 50.4% lead) and PassMark multithread (51502 versus 50072, a 2.8% lead).

Q: How do the two compare in data encryption performance?

A: The Intel Xeon 6736P scores 46236 versus the AMD's 32840, a 40.8% advantage for Intel in PassMark data encryption.

Q: What is the difference in core and thread counts?

A: The Intel Xeon 6736P has 36 cores and 72 threads, while the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 has 16 cores and 32 threads.

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Xeon 6736P has an average benchmark score of 87864, while the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 averages 80762. The Intel part ranks in the 96th percentile of all CPUs, the AMD part in the 95th.

Q: How does the AMD part compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 is essentially tied with the Intel Xeon 638 (0% delta), 0.1% ahead of the Intel Xeon w5-2565X, and 0.4% behind both the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX and the Intel Xeon w5-3535X.

Specification Differences

The two processors occupy completely different market segments, and the specifications reflect that. The Intel Xeon 6736P is a server/workstation part with 36 cores and 72 threads, a base clock of 2.00 GHz, and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. It runs at a TDP of 205 watts and uses the Intel Socket 4710. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 is a mobile processor with 16 cores and 32 threads, a base clock of 3.00 GHz, and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. It runs at a TDP of 55 watts and uses the AMD Socket FP11.

Memory support differs significantly. The Intel part uses DDR5 memory with an eight-channel memory bus and a memory bandwidth of 409.6 GB/s. The AMD part uses LPDDR5X memory with a quad-channel memory bus and a memory bandwidth of 256.0 GB/s. Both support ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity also diverges. The Intel Xeon 6736P supports PCIe Gen 5 with 88 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 supports PCIe Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The AMD part includes integrated Radeon 8060S graphics, while the Intel part has no integrated graphics.

The Intel Xeon 6736P has a launch MSRP of $3351. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 has no recorded launch MSRP in the database. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Xeon 6736P is built on the Granite Rapids architecture, specifically the Granite Rapids-SP generation, using a 5 nm process node from Intel. Its die size is 598 mm². The cache hierarchy consists of 112 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 144 MB of shared L3 cache.

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 uses the Zen 5 architecture from the Strix Halo codename, built on a 4 nm process node from TSMC. Its cache hierarchy is smaller: 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of shared L3 cache. The die size is not recorded in the database.

The process node difference is notable: 4 nm for AMD versus 5 nm for Intel, giving the AMD part a potential density and efficiency advantage. The AMD part also has a much higher boost clock at 5.10 GHz versus 4.10 GHz, which helps explain its PassMark single-thread win despite the Cinebench single-core results favoring Intel.

The Intel part's massive 144 MB L3 cache versus AMD's 64 MB is a significant architectural difference, likely contributing to the Intel part's dominance in data-heavy workloads like encryption and compression. The Intel part also has a much larger physical die at 598 mm², reflecting its 36-core design.

The Verdict

The data points to two very different tools for different jobs. The Intel Xeon 6736P is a server-class processor built for maximum throughput. Its 36 cores, 72 threads, 144 MB L3 cache, and eight-channel memory deliver dominant results in nearly every multi-core benchmark. The 198.5% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 104.8% lead in PassMark physics make it the clear choice for workloads that stress the CPU across many threads, such as scientific simulation, data encryption, and large-scale compression. Its 96th percentile ranking among all CPUs and average benchmark score of 87864 place it in the top tier of available processors.

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 is a mobile processor that punches above its weight. Despite having fewer than half the cores of the Intel part, it wins PassMark multithread by 2.8% and PassMark single-thread by 50.4%. Its 5.10 GHz boost clock and 4 nm process node from TSMC give it efficiency that the Intel part cannot match. The 95th percentile ranking and average benchmark score of 80762 put it close to the Xeon in overall capability, but its wins are concentrated in specific workloads.

Who should pick which? The Intel Xeon 6736P is the answer for server racks, workstation builds, and any environment where multi-core throughput and large data manipulation are the priority. Its 11 benchmark wins out of 15, including dominant margins in encryption, compression, and floating point math, make it the data-heavyworkload champion. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 is the answer for mobile or space-constrained systems where single-thread responsiveness and efficiency matter. Its wins in PassMark single-thread and multithread, combined with integrated Radeon 8060S graphics and a 55-watt TDP, make it a compelling option for compact systems. The data does not lie: the Intel part wins more tests and wins them bigger, but the AMD part wins where it counts for its segment.