AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 vs Intel Core 7 150U Comparison

The Verdict

The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 and Intel Core 7 150U serve distinctly different mobile computing segments. The AMD part targets demanding workloads with its 12 cores, 24 threads, and large 64 MB L3 cache, while the Intel chip prioritizes efficiency with a 15 W TDP and a hybrid architecture approach. The recorded data shows the Intel Core 7 150U has an average benchmark score of 17395, placing it in the 71st percentile of all CPUs, with its nearest rival being the AMD Ryzen 5 4600G at a 0.6% higher score. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 holds the 50th percentile ranking, though its benchmark suite is currently empty in the database, so its performance must be inferred from its specifications.

The Intel Core 7 150U is the clear choice for thin-and-light laptops where battery life and modest thermal headroom matter. Its 15 W TDP, dual-channel memory support, and 12 MB shared L3 cache align with everyday productivity tasks. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490, with its 55 W TDP, quad-channel LPDDR5X memory delivering 273.1 GB/s bandwidth, and 64 MB L3 cache, targets users who need sustained multi-core throughput for content creation, virtualization, or data processing. The data shows the Intel part is actively benchmarked with solid scores, while the AMD part has no recorded measurements yet, making the Intel chip the safer bet for users who rely on verified performance numbers.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 uses the Zen 5 architecture on a 4 nm TSMC process, with a die size of 2x 70.6 mm². It has 12 cores and 24 threads, with a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The cache hierarchy includes 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and a substantial 64 MB L3 cache. Memory support is limited to LPDDR5X with a quad-channel bus, yielding 273.1 GB/s bandwidth, and it supports ECC memory. The integrated GPU is the Radeon 8050S, and the CPU connects via PCIe Gen 4 with 16 lanes.

The Intel Core 7 150U uses the Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm Intel process. It has 10 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 1.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The cache hierarchy includes 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory via a dual-channel bus, with no ECC support. The integrated GPU is Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units, and PCIe connectivity is Gen 4 with 8 lanes.

The most significant architectural differences are the process node (4 nm vs 10 nm), core count (12 vs 10), thread count (24 vs 12), L3 cache (64 MB vs 12 MB), memory channel count (quad vs dual), and ECC support (present vs absent). The AMD part also uses a chiplet design with two 70.6 mm² dies, while the Intel part uses a monolithic design. The AMD chip has a higher TDP of 55 W versus 15 W for Intel, which directly impacts sustained performance capabilities.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core 7 150U has 10 cores and 12 threads. The AMD part offers double the thread count, which benefits heavily threaded workloads.

Q: What are the clock speed differences?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Intel Core 7 150U has a base clock of 1.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. Intel has a higher boost clock by 0.40 GHz, but AMD has a significantly higher base clock by 1.40 GHz.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core 7 150U does not. This makes the AMD part more suitable for error-sensitive workloads like financial modeling or scientific computing.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 supports LPDDR5X with a quad-channel bus. The Intel Core 7 150U supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus. The AMD part's quad-channel configuration provides significantly higher memory bandwidth.

Q: How do their power requirements differ?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 has a TDP of 55 W, while the Intel Core 7 150U has a TDP of 15 W. The Intel chip is designed for ultra-low-power mobile devices, whereas the AMD chip requires more substantial cooling and power delivery.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 has 64 MB of L3 cache, while the Intel Core 7 150U has 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part's L3 cache is over five times larger, which can improve performance in cache-sensitive applications.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 | Intel Core 7 150U |

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

| Cores | 12 | 10 |

| Threads | 24 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 1.80 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 5.40 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP11 | Intel BGA 1744 |

| Codename | Gorgon Halo | Raptor Lake-U |

| Generation | Ryzen AI Max PRO (Zen 5) | Core 7 (Raptor Lake-U) |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

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

| L1 Cache | 80 KB per core | 80 KB per core |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB per core | 1.25 MB per core |

| L3 Cache | 64 MB | 12 MB shared |

| Memory Support | LPDDR5X | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 273.1 GB/s | Not recorded |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 16 lanes | Gen 4, 8 lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 8050S | Iris Xe Graphics 96EU |

| Release Date | 2026-05-19 | 2024-01-07 |

| Part Number | 100-000002141 | SRMYP |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains benchmark results only for the Intel Core 7 150U, with no recorded scores for the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490. The Intel part's performance profile shows strong multi-core capability relative to its 15 W power envelope.

In Cinebench R23, the Intel Core 7 150U scores 8883 in multi-core and 1875.5 in single-core. The multi-core score indicates respectable sustained throughput for a low-power chip, while the single-core score shows competitive per-thread performance. Cinebench R20 results show 5248 multi-core and 740 single-core. Cinebench R15 shows 1505.5 multi-core and 254 single-core.

Geekbench results for the Intel part show 6234 multi-core and 1857 single-core. These scores place it in the 71st percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 17395. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 4500 with an average score of 17333 (0.4% lower), the AMD Ryzen 3 210 with 17321 (0.4% lower), the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE with 17482 (0.5% higher), and the AMD Ryzen 5 4600G with 17507 (0.6% higher).

PassMark results for the Intel part show 14700 in multithread and 3508 in single-thread. Specific workload tests reveal strengths: data compression scores 158622, data encryption scores 10025, extended instructions score 8748, floating point math scores 34405, integer math scores 51057, physics scores 1012, and random string sorting scores 18269. The find prime numbers test scores 58.

Without benchmark data for the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490, direct head-to-head comparisons rely on specification analysis. The AMD part's 12 cores and 24 threads versus Intel's 10 cores and 12 threads suggest a multi-threaded advantage for AMD, while Intel's higher boost clock of 5.40 GHz versus 5.00 GHz may provide a single-thread edge. The AMD part's quad-channel LPDDR5X memory with 273.1 GB/s bandwidth versus Intel's dual-channel DDR4/DDR5 support indicates significantly higher memory throughput for AMD. The 64 MB L3 cache versus 12 MB also favors AMD in workloads with large working sets.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 7 150U wins in scenarios requiring low power consumption. Its 15 W TDP enables fanless or ultra-thin designs, and its 5.40 GHz boost clock provides snappy single-thread performance when needed. The recorded benchmark scores show it holds its own against similar desktop-class rivals in average score terms. Users who prioritize battery life, portability, and moderate productivity tasks will find the Intel part sufficient.

The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 wins in scenarios demanding maximum throughput. Its 12 cores and 24 threads, combined with 64 MB L3 cache and quad-channel LPDDR5X memory at 273.1 GB/s bandwidth, make it suited for video editing, 3D rendering, software compilation, and data analysis. The 55 W TDP indicates a design that can sustain high performance under load. ECC memory support adds reliability for professional workstations. The Radeon 8050S integrated graphics likely provides stronger GPU performance than Iris Xe Graphics with 96EU, though no direct benchmark data confirms this.

The Intel part's release date of 2024-01-07 and active production status mean it is broadly available in current laptops. The AMD part's release date of 2026-05-19 suggests it is a future product, which may affect availability. Users needing a system now should favor the Intel part. Users planning for future high-performance mobile workstations should consider the AMD part's superior specifications. The percentile data shows Intel at 71 versus AMD at 50, but this reflects only the Intel chip's measured scores; the AMD chip has no recorded benchmarks to establish its percentile meaningfully.