AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 vs Intel Core 3 N355 Comparison

The Verdict

The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 and Intel Core 3 N355 occupy completely different performance tiers, and the recorded data leaves little ambiguity about which part belongs in which system. The AMD processor, with 12 cores and 24 threads, is positioned for demanding mobile workloads that require substantial compute throughput. The Intel Core 3 N355, with 8 cores and 8 threads, is a much lower-power design intended for lightweight, efficiency-focused machines. Benchmark results confirm this split. The Intel part sits at the 68th percentile among all CPUs in the database, while the AMD part is at the 50th percentile, but that AMD percentile is based on an average benchmark score of zero due to missing test data. The Intel Core 3 N355 has an average benchmark score of 13,492, placing it alongside the Intel Core i3-12100F (13,494, 0% delta), the Intel Core i5-9500 (13,452, 0.3% ahead), the Intel Core 5 120UL (13,594, 0.8% behind), and the Intel Core i7-1250U (13,351, 1.1% ahead). The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 has no benchmark entries in the database, so direct comparison relies on architectural specifications. The choice is straightforward: the AMD part serves users who need heavy multi-threading and high memory bandwidth, while the Intel part serves users who need a compact, low-power processor with proven benchmark performance.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different foundries and manufacturing processes. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 uses a 4 nm process from TSMC, while the Intel Core 3 N355 uses a 10 nm process from Intel. The AMD chip is built on the Gorgon Halo codename and belongs to the Ryzen AI Max PRO generation based on Zen 5 cores. The Intel chip uses the Twin Lake architecture and codename, with a generation listed as Core 3 (Alder Lake-N). The AMD processor has 12 cores and 24 threads, indicating simultaneous multi-threading support. The Intel processor has 8 cores and 8 threads, with no hyper-threading. The AMD part has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Intel part runs at 1.90 GHz base and 3.90 GHz boost. Cache layouts differ substantially. The AMD chip provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of L3. The Intel chip provides 96 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of shared L2, and only 6 MB of shared L3. The AMD part supports LPDDR5X memory over a quad-channel bus with 273.1 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel part supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 over a single-channel bus with 38.4 GB/s of bandwidth. The AMD processor supports ECC memory, the Intel does not. PCIe connectivity also differs: the AMD part uses Gen 4 with 16 CPU lanes, while the Intel part uses Gen 3 with 9 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics differ as well: the AMD part uses Radeon 8050S, the Intel part uses UHD Graphics 770. The AMD part has a TDP of 55 watts, while the Intel part draws only 15 watts. The AMD processor fits AMD Socket FP11; the Intel processor uses Intel BGA 1264. The AMD part released on 2026-05-19, while the Intel part released earlier on 2025-01-06. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The AMD part number is 100-000002141; the Intel part number is SRPNT.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core 3 N355 has 8 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The AMD processor provides 273.1 GB/s over a quad-channel LPDDR5X bus. The Intel processor provides 38.4 GB/s over a single-channel bus supporting DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5.

Q: Which chip has the larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 has 64 MB of L3 cache. The Intel Core 3 N355 has 6 MB of shared L3.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 3 N355 does not support ECC.

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 has a TDP of 55 watts. The Intel Core 3 N355 has a TDP of 15 watts.

Q: What are the release dates?

A: The Intel Core 3 N355 released on 2025-01-06. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 released on 2026-05-19.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification field. The AMD part uses 12 cores and 24 threads; the Intel part uses 8 cores and 8 threads. Base clock: AMD 3.20 GHz, Intel 1.90 GHz. Boost clock: AMD 5.00 GHz, Intel 3.90 GHz. TDP: AMD 55 watts, Intel 15 watts. Socket: AMD Socket FP11 versus Intel BGA 1264. Process node: 4 nm (TSMC) versus 10 nm (Intel). L1 cache: 80 KB per core (AMD) versus 96 KB per core (Intel). L2 cache: 1 MB per core (AMD) versus 2 MB shared (Intel). L3 cache: 64 MB (AMD) versus 6 MB shared (Intel). Memory support: LPDDR5X (AMD) versus DDR4, DDR5, LPDDR5 (Intel). Memory bus: quad-channel (AMD) versus single-channel (Intel). Memory bandwidth: 273.1 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s. ECC: supported on AMD, not on Intel. PCIe: Gen 4 with 16 lanes (AMD) versus Gen 3 with 9 lanes (Intel). Integrated graphics: Radeon 8050S versus UHD Graphics 770. Release date: 2026-05-19 versus 2025-01-06. Both have locked multipliers. The AMD part has a die size of 2x 70.6 mm², while the Intel die size is not recorded.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no head-to-head benchmark results for these two processors, but the Intel Core 3 N355 has a full set of benchmark scores, while the AMD part has none. The Intel part scores 822 in Cinebench R15 multi-core and 168 in single-core. In Cinebench R20, it scores 3,612 multi-core and 509 single-core. In Cinebench R23, it scores 5,262 multi-core and 1,039 single-core. PassMark results for the Intel part include 117,435 in data compression, 8,121 in data encryption, 5,968 in extended instructions, 27 in find prime numbers, 22,695 in floating point math, 33,894 in integer math, 10,174 in multithread, 625 in physics, 14,706 in random string sorting, and 2,153 in single-thread. The average benchmark score for the Intel part is 13,492, with a 68th percentile ranking among all CPUs. Its closest rivals are the Intel Core i3-12100F (13,494, 0% delta), the Intel Core i5-9500 (13,452, 0.3% ahead), the Intel Core 5 120UL (13,594, 0.8% behind), and the Intel Core i7-1250U (13,351, 1.1% ahead). The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 has an average benchmark score of zero and sits at the 50th percentile, with no recorded benchmark runs. This absence of data means the AMD part cannot be directly compared on any benchmark metric in this database. However, the architectural specifications indicate that the AMD part should have a significant advantage in multi-threaded tasks given its 24 threads versus 8, its 64 MB of L3 versus 6 MB, and its 273.1 GB/s memory bandwidth versus 38.4 GB/s. The Intel part, by contrast, has verified scores showing it competes with desktop processors like the Core i3-12100F and the Core i5-9500.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 wins on every architectural metric that predicts heavy compute performance. It has 50% more cores and 200% more threads. Its boost clock is 1.10 GHz higher. Its L3 cache is over 10 times larger. Its memory bandwidth is over 7 times higher. It supports ECC memory, which the Intel part does not. It uses a newer process node (4 nm versus 10 nm), which typically enables higher efficiency at a given performance level. It has a quad-channel memory bus versus a single-channel bus. It has more PCIe Gen 4 lanes versus Gen 3 lanes. Its integrated graphics, the Radeon 8050S, is paired with the high-bandwidth LPDDR5X memory subsystem, which benefits graphics workloads. The AMD part is suited for professional mobile workstations, content creation, and any workload that scales with thread count and memory throughput. The higher TDP of 55 watts indicates it can sustain heavier loads, though it will require more cooling and power delivery.

The Intel Core 3 N355 wins on the only measured performance data available in the database. Its average benchmark score of 13,492 places it in the 68th percentile, and it matches desktop processors like the Core i3-12100F and Core i5-9500 within a 1.1% margin. It also wins on power efficiency, with a 15 watt TDP versus 55 watts, a 40 watt difference. It has a smaller physical footprint with a BGA socket, and it supports a wider range of memory types (DDR4, DDR5, LPDDR5) versus LPDDR5X only. The Intel part is therefore the better choice for fanless or low-power laptops, Chromebooks, and compact devices where battery life and thermal limits are primary constraints and where the workload is light to moderate. The Intel part also has a release date roughly 16 months earlier, which may indicate longer availability in the market. For users who need a proven, benchmark-verified processor in a low-power envelope, the Intel Core 3 N355 is the recorded option. For users who need maximum multi-threading, cache, and memory bandwidth, the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 is the architectural choice, though its benchmark scores are not yet recorded in the database.