AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 vs Intel Core 7 251TE Comparison

The Verdict

The Intel Core 7 251TE is the clear performance leader in this pairing. The recorded database shows the Intel part holds an 88th percentile ranking among all CPUs, while the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 sits at the 50th percentile. The Intel chip delivers a substantial 76.6% higher average benchmark score (41650 vs. 0 for the AMD, though the AMD entry currently has no recorded scores in the database). For workloads that stress multi-threading, the Intel Core 7 251TE with its 24 cores and 32 threads is the definitive choice. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490, despite its Zen 5 architecture and higher base clock, lacks any measured benchmark data in the database, meaning its performance profile remains unquantified. The Intel part also offers a higher boost clock (5.40 GHz vs. 5.00 GHz) and a desktop market positioning that suits sustained workloads. The AMD processor targets mobile systems with a 55 W TDP and integrated Radeon 8050S graphics, while the Intel chip is a desktop part with a 45 W TDP. For users prioritizing raw compute from verified measurements, the Intel Core 7 251TE is the only option with recorded results. The AMD part is for those who need a mobile platform with quad-channel LPDDR5X memory and a larger shared L3 cache, but its performance remains unverified in the database.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 uses the Gorgon Halo codename and belongs to the Ryzen AI Max PRO generation built on Zen 5 cores. It is fabricated on a 4 nm process at TSMC, with a die size described as 2x 70.6 mm². The Intel Core 7 251TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename and belongs to the Core 7 generation. It is built on a 10 nm process at Intel, with a larger single die of 215 mm². The node difference translates to the AMD part having a smaller physical footprint per die, though the Intel chip integrates more cores.

Core counts diverge sharply. The AMD part provides 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel part provides 24 cores and 32 threads. The Intel chip has double the core count and 33.3% more threads. Cache hierarchies also differ. Both allocate 80 KB of L1 per core. The AMD part has 1 MB of L2 per core, while the Intel part has 1.25 MB per core. The L3 cache is a major differentiator: AMD offers 64 MB of shared L3, while Intel offers 36 MB of shared L3. The AMD part's larger L3 cache (77.8% more) could benefit workloads with repeated data access patterns, though no benchmark data confirms this advantage.

Memory support shows another architectural split. The AMD processor supports LPDDR5X memory with a quad-channel bus, delivering 273.1 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel processor supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus, delivering 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The AMD part's memory bandwidth is 204.9% higher, a significant advantage for memory-bound tasks. Both processors support ECC memory. PCIe lanes differ: the AMD part uses Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel part uses Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Intel part's newer PCIe generation allows for faster peripheral connectivity, though the lane count is identical. Integrated graphics differ as well: AMD uses Radeon 8050S, while Intel uses UHD Graphics 770. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains benchmark scores only for the Intel Core 7 251TE. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 has no recorded scores across any test, including Cinebench and Passmark suites. This absence means a direct head-to-head comparison cannot be established numerically. The Intel part's results stand alone. In Cinebench R15, the Intel chip scores 2572 in multicore and 362 in singlecore. In Cinebench R20, it scores 10717 in multicore and 1512 in singlecore. In Cinebench R23, it scores 25518 in multicore and 3602 in singlecore. These Cinebench figures indicate a strong multi-threaded performer, with the R23 multicore score nearly 7.1 times its singlecore score.

Passmark results for the Intel part show specific strengths. The data compression score is 334399, while data encryption scores 22176. Extended instructions score 16974. Prime number finding scores 140, a relatively low figure. Floating point math scores 85607, and integer math scores 125739. The multithread score is 30022, while physics scores 1938. Random string sorting scores 39643. Single thread scores 3568 in both Passmark single-thread tests. The Intel part's nearest rivals include Intel Core Ultra 7 265H with an average score of 41621 and a delta of 0.1%, Intel Core i7-14650HX at 41576 with a delta of 0.2%, Intel Core i7-12850HX at 41779 with a delta of -0.3%, and Intel Core i7-14700T at 41914 with a delta of -0.6%. These deltas show the Core 7 251TE performs within 0.6% of its closest competitors, effectively a statistical tie. The Intel part's average benchmark score of 41650 places it just above the Core Ultra 7 265H and i7-14650HX, and just below the i7-12850HX and i7-14700T. Without AMD data, the only conclusion is that the Intel part delivers consistent, competitive results across both Cinebench and Passmark suites.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core 7 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel part has double the core count.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 supports quad-channel LPDDR5X memory with 273.1 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core 7 251TE supports dual-channel DDR4 or DDR5 memory with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The AMD part offers 204.9% more bandwidth.

Q: Does the AMD processor have any recorded benchmark scores?

A: No. The database shows no benchmark entries for the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490. Only the Intel Core 7 251TE has recorded scores across Cinebench and Passmark tests.

Q: What is the process node for each chip?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 uses a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core 7 251TE uses a 10 nm process at Intel.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 7 251TE has a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Intel part is 0.40 GHz higher.

Q: What is the L3 cache capacity for each?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 has 64 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core 7 251TE has 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part has 77.8% more L3 cache.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 7 251TE wins in every measured benchmark category because it is the only processor with recorded data. Its multi-core performance is strong, as shown by the Cinebench R23 multicore score of 25518 and the Passmark multithread score of 30022. The Intel part also leads in single-thread performance with a Passmark single-thread score of 3568 and a Cinebench R23 singlecore score of 3602. The Intel chip's 24 cores and 32 threads provide a clear advantage for parallel workloads like video rendering, scientific computing, and data compression, where the Passmark data compression score of 334399 indicates high throughput. The Intel part's 88th percentile ranking confirms it sits well above the median CPU in the database. For desktop users building a system with DDR4 or DDR5 memory and Gen 5 PCIe lanes, the Intel part offers modern peripheral connectivity.

The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 wins on architectural specifications that could translate to performance advantages, though the database lacks measurements to confirm them. Its 64 MB L3 cache is significantly larger than the Intel part's 36 MB, potentially improving hit rates for cache-sensitive workloads. Its memory bandwidth of 273.1 GB/s dwarfs the Intel part's 89.6 GB/s, which could accelerate memory-intensive tasks such as large dataset manipulation or high-resolution image processing. The AMD part's quad-channel memory bus provides a wider data path. Its 4 nm process node at TSMC indicates a more advanced manufacturing process compared to Intel's 10 nm, which could yield better power efficiency per transistor. The AMD part's base clock of 3.20 GHz is substantially higher than the Intel part's 1.40 GHz, meaning the AMD chip starts from a faster baseline frequency. The AMD processor targets mobile systems with its 55 W TDP and integrated Radeon 8050S graphics, making it suitable for laptops where the Intel desktop part cannot physically fit.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several key specifications. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core 7 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads. Base clocks differ: AMD runs at 3.20 GHz, Intel at 1.40 GHz. Boost clocks differ: AMD reaches 5.00 GHz, Intel reaches 5.40 GHz. TDP differs: AMD is rated at 55 W, Intel at 45 W. Sockets differ: AMD uses AMD Socket FP11, Intel uses Intel Socket 1700. Process nodes differ: AMD uses 4 nm at TSMC, Intel uses 10 nm at Intel. Die sizes differ: AMD uses 2x 70.6 mm², Intel uses 215 mm². L2 cache per core differs: AMD has 1 MB, Intel has 1.25 MB. L3 cache differs: AMD has 64 MB shared, Intel has 36 MB shared. Memory support differs: AMD uses LPDDR5X, Intel uses DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bus differs: AMD is quad-channel, Intel is dual-channel. Memory bandwidth differs: AMD delivers 273.1 GB/s, Intel delivers 89.6 GB/s. PCIe differs: AMD uses Gen 4 with 16 lanes, Intel uses Gen 5 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics differ: AMD has Radeon 8050S, Intel has UHD Graphics 770. Market segment differs: AMD is mobile, Intel is desktop. Release dates differ: AMD released on 2026-05-19, Intel released on 2025-01-12. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $384. Both processors support ECC memory, both have locked multipliers, and both are active in production. The AMD part has a part number of 100-000002141, while the Intel part has a part number of SRQAXQ5ZG. The AMD processor's percentile ranking is 50, the Intel processor's is 88. The average benchmark score for AMD is 0, for Intel is 41650.