AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 vs Intel Core 5 330 Comparison

The Verdict

The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 and Intel Core 5 330 serve entirely different segments of the mobile processor market. The AMD part is a high-core-count, high-bandwidth processor built for sustained multi-threaded workloads, while the Intel part is a low-power, single-thread-oriented chip for thin-and-light systems.

The Intel Core 5 330 holds the database's 72nd percentile among all CPUs, while the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 sits at the 50th percentile. The Intel chip's average benchmark score is 18345, placing it within a 0.2% band of rivals like the Intel Core i3-14100 (18318, +0.1%), Intel Core 7 360 (18374, -0.2%), Intel Core i3-13100 (18380, -0.2%), and Intel Core 3 305 (18302, +0.2%). No benchmark scores exist in the database for the AMD part, so direct numerical comparisons are unavailable. The data indicates the AMD processor is positioned for users who need 12 cores, 24 threads, and 273.1 GB/s of memory bandwidth, whereas the Intel processor suits users prioritizing efficiency at 15 W TDP with a launch MSRP of $309.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 uses TSMC's 4 nm process node and the Gorgon Halo codename, based on the Ryzen AI Max PRO (Zen 5) generation. The Intel Core 5 330 uses Intel's 3 nm node with the Wildcat Lake codename, part of the Core 5 (Wildcat Lake) generation. The AMD die is reported as 2x 70.6 mm², while the Intel die size is not recorded.

Core counts diverge sharply: the AMD chip provides 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel chip provides 6 cores and 6 threads. The Intel part has no hyperthreading. Base clocks differ, with AMD at 3.20 GHz and Intel at 1.50 GHz; boost clocks are 5.00 GHz for AMD and 4.60 GHz for Intel. TDP ratings are 55 W for AMD and 15 W for Intel, reflecting the AMD part's higher sustained power envelope.

Cache hierarchies are structured differently. AMD allocates 80 KB of L1 per core and 1 MB of L2 per core, with 64 MB of L3. Intel lists 192 KB of L1 total, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. Memory support also separates the two: AMD uses LPDDR5X on a quad-channel bus with 273.1 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support, while Intel supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X on a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC.

Socket compatibility is distinct: AMD uses AMD Socket FP11, Intel uses Intel BGA 1516. PCIe lane counts differ, with AMD providing Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only) and Intel providing Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics differ as well: AMD includes Radeon 8050S, Intel includes Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe). Both parts have locked multipliers. Release dates show the Intel chip arrived on 2026-04-15, followed by the AMD chip on 2026-05-19. The AMD part number is 100-000002141; the Intel part number is SAE3G.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 has 12 cores and 24 threads, double the core count of the Intel Core 5 330, which has 6 cores and 6 threads.

Q: How does memory bandwidth compare?

A: The AMD processor uses a quad-channel LPDDR5X bus delivering 273.1 GB/s, while the Intel processor uses a single-channel bus supporting DDR5 and LPDDR5X with 59.7 GB/s. The AMD part also supports ECC memory; the Intel part does not.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 has a TDP of 55 W, while the Intel Core 5 330 has a TDP of 15 W. This indicates the AMD chip is designed for higher sustained performance at greater power draw.

Q: Does the Intel Core 5 330 support multithreading?

A: No. The Intel Core 5 330 has 6 cores and 6 threads, meaning each core handles one thread. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 supports 24 threads from 12 cores.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 boosts to 5.00 GHz, compared to 4.60 GHz for the Intel Core 5 330. The AMD part also has a higher base clock at 3.20 GHz versus 1.50 GHz.

Q: Are these processors on the same socket?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 uses AMD Socket FP11, and the Intel Core 5 330 uses Intel BGA 1516.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 | Intel Core 5 330 |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 12 | 6 |

| Threads | 24 | 6 |

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 1.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP11 | Intel BGA 1516 |

| Codename | Gorgon Halo | Wildcat Lake |

| Generation | Ryzen AI Max PRO (Zen 5) | Core 5 (Wildcat Lake) |

| Process Node | 4 nm (TSMC) | 3 nm (Intel) |

| Die Size | 2x 70.6 mm² | Not recorded |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 192 KB |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 2.5 MB |

| L3 Cache | 64 MB | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | LPDDR5X | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Single-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 273.1 GB/s | 59.7 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 6 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 8050S | Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) |

| Release Date | 2026-05-19 | 2026-04-15 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | No |

| Part Number | 100-000002141 | SAE3G |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $309 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no shared benchmark entries for these two processors. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 has an empty benchmark list, while the Intel Core 5 330 has a full set of Cinebench and PassMark results. This absence of overlap prevents direct score comparisons. What can be analyzed is the Intel part's recorded performance and its position in the broader database.

The Intel Core 5 330's Cinebench R23 multicore score is 13150, with a single-core score of 1856. In Cinebench R20, the multicore score is 5523 and single-core is 779. Cinebench R15 results show 1325 multicore and 186 single-core. These scores place the chip at the 72nd percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 18345. Its nearest rivals cluster tightly: the Intel Core i3-14100 scores 18318 (0.1% higher), the Intel Core 7 360 scores 18374 (0.2% lower), the Intel Core i3-13100 scores 18380 (0.2% lower), and the Intel Core 3 305 scores 18302 (0.2% higher). The margin between the highest and lowest of these four rivals is only 78 points, or roughly 0.4%, indicating the Core 5 330 sits in a dense competitive cluster.

PassMark results for the Intel part show a multithread score of 15471 and a single-thread score of 4088 (listed twice under two test names). Integer math scores 33258, floating point math scores 43885, and extended instructions score 12808. Data compression scores 145287, data encryption scores 11076, and random string sorting scores 17771. Physics scores 1201, and find prime numbers scores 114. These figures show the Intel chip's strength in single-thread-oriented tasks, with its single-thread score of 4088 representing a strong result relative to its 6-core, 6-thread configuration.

The AMD part's lack of recorded benchmarks means no percentile, average score, or rival deltas can be cited. Its specification profile indicates a different workload orientation: 24 threads, 64 MB of L3, and 273.1 GB/s of memory bandwidth point to multi-threaded and memory-intensive applications. The Intel part's 15 W TDP and 59.7 GB/s bandwidth suggest a design focused on power efficiency and lighter workloads. The database shows the Intel processor performing at a level comparable to four other chips within a 0.2% delta, which positions it as a well-rounded mid-range mobile option. The AMD processor's architectural features, including a 5.00 GHz boost clock and ECC support, indicate a professional-grade mobile part, but the absence of benchmark data prevents quantitative validation.