AMD Instinct MI455X vs Intel Data Center GPU Max 1550 Comparison

FAQ

Q: What are the core architectural differences between the AMD Instinct MI455X and the Intel Data Center GPU Max 1550?

A: The AMD part uses the CDNA 5.0 architecture on a 2 nm TSMC process, while Intel's Ponte Vecchio chip uses Generation 12.5 architecture on a 10 nm Intel process. The AMD chip is built on the MI450 256CU design, and the Intel part is based on the Ponte Vecchio design.

Q: How much memory does each GPU have, and what type?

A: The AMD Instinct MI455X features 432 GB of HBM4 memory on a 24576-bit bus, delivering 23.3 TB/s of bandwidth. The Intel Data Center GPU Max 1550 has 128 GB of HBM2e memory on an 8192-bit bus, providing 3.28 TB/s of bandwidth.

Q: Which GPU has higher FP32 compute throughput?

A: The AMD Instinct MI455X delivers 157.3 TFLOPS of FP32 performance. The Intel Data Center GPU Max 1550 delivers 52.43 TFLOPS of FP32 performance. AMD's part is 3.0 times higher in this metric.

Q: What are the thermal design power ratings for these accelerators?

A: The AMD Instinct MI455X is rated at 2300 W TDP with a suggested PSU of 2700 W. The Intel Data Center GPU Max 1550 is rated at 600 W TDP with a suggested PSU of 1000 W.

Q: What bus interfaces do the two cards use?

A: The AMD Instinct MI455X uses PCIe 6.0 x16, while the Intel Data Center GPU Max 1550 uses PCIe 5.0 x16. Both cards are module form factors, with AMD using an EAM Module and Intel using an OAM Module.

Q: What is the production status and release timing for each?

A: The Intel Data Center GPU Max 1550 has a production status of Active and was released on January 9, 2023. The AMD Instinct MI455X has no production status listed in the database and carries a release date of July 22, 2026.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Instinct MI455X and Intel Data Center GPU Max 1550 represent fundamentally different design philosophies. AMD's chip, designated MI450 256CU, is built on CDNA 5.0 architecture and manufactured on a 2 nm process at TSMC. The transistor count reaches 320,000 million across a die size of 2990 mm², resulting in a transistor density of 107.0M per mm². Intel's Ponte Vecchio chip uses Generation 12.5 architecture and is manufactured on Intel's own 10 nm process. The Intel part contains 100,000 million transistors on a 1280 mm² die, producing a transistor density of 78.1M per mm².

The memory subsystems differ dramatically. AMD employs HBM4 memory totaling 432 GB, connected via a 24576-bit bus, which yields 23.3 TB/s of bandwidth. Intel uses HBM2e memory with 128 GB capacity on an 8192-bit bus, delivering 3.28 TB/s. The bus width difference is substantial: AMD's memory interface is three times wider than Intel's.

The compute architectures also diverge in core counts. AMD packs 32,768 shading units and 1,024 TMUs, while Intel has 16,384 shading units and 1,024 TMUs. Intel's design includes 128 ray tracing cores, a feature absent from the AMD specification. Both GPUs report 0 ROPs and 0 MPixel/s pixel rate, indicating neither is intended for traditional rasterized graphics output.

The process nodes contribute significantly to the performance and efficiency profiles. AMD's 2 nm TSMC process allows for a much higher transistor density and a larger overall die. Intel's 10 nm process with a smaller die still achieves reasonable density but at a lower scale. Both cards have no display outputs, confirming their data center focus.

The bus interfaces reflect different generations of PCIe technology. AMD uses PCIe 6.0 x16, while Intel uses PCIe 5.0 x16. Both are module form factors, with AMD's EAM Module and Intel's OAM Module, rather than conventional slot-mounted cards.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no recorded benchmark scores for either GPU, and the head-to-head benchmark array is empty. The wins tally shows zero wins for both the AMD Instinct MI455X and the Intel Data Center GPU Max 1550. Similarly, the nearest rivals lists are empty, and the average benchmark score for each is 0.

The percentile ranks are identical: both GPUs sit at the 50th percentile versus all GPUs in the database. This indicates that without benchmark data, the relative performance cannot be established through measured results.

What the recorded specifications do show is a clear hierarchy in theoretical compute capabilities. The AMD Instinct MI455X delivers 157.3 TFLOPS in both FP32 and FP16 (1:1 ratio). The Intel Data Center GPU Max 1550 delivers 52.43 TFLOPS in both FP32 and FP16 (1:1 ratio). The AMD part is 3.0 times higher in FP32 throughput and 3.0 times higher in FP16 throughput.

Texture processing follows a similar pattern. AMD achieves a texture rate of 2,457.6 GTexel/s, while Intel reaches 1,638.4 GTexel/s. This places AMD's texture throughput 1.5 times higher than Intel's.

Memory bandwidth is another area where the AMD part leads decisively. The recorded 23.3 TB/s for AMD is 7.1 times higher than Intel's 3.28 TB/s. The 432 GB memory capacity versus 128 GB represents a 3.4 times advantage for AMD.

Clock speeds show a more modest gap. AMD's base clock is 1000 MHz with a boost of 2400 MHz. Intel's base clock is 900 MHz with a boost of 1600 MHz. The boost clock difference puts AMD 1.5 times higher.

The power envelope is the one specification where Intel holds a clear advantage. The Intel part consumes 600 W TDP versus AMD's 2300 W TDP, meaning Intel's design operates at roughly one-quarter the power draw. The suggested PSU requirement reflects this: 1000 W for Intel versus 2700 W for AMD.

Specification Differences

The two accelerators differ in nearly every major specification category.

Process node: AMD uses 2 nm (TSMC), Intel uses 10 nm (Intel).

Transistors: AMD has 320,000 million, Intel has 100,000 million.

Die size: AMD measures 2990 mm², Intel measures 1280 mm².

Transistor density: AMD achieves 107.0M / mm², Intel achieves 78.1M / mm².

Base clock: AMD runs at 1000 MHz, Intel at 900 MHz.

Boost clock: AMD reaches 2400 MHz, Intel reaches 1600 MHz.

Memory clock: AMD uses 1900 MHz (7.6 Gbps effective), Intel uses 1600 MHz (3.2 Gbps effective).

Memory capacity: AMD has 432 GB, Intel has 128 GB.

Memory type: AMD uses HBM4, Intel uses HBM2e.

Memory bus width: AMD has 24576 bit, Intel has 8192 bit.

Memory bandwidth: AMD delivers 23.3 TB/s, Intel delivers 3.28 TB/s.

Shading units: AMD has 32,768, Intel has 16,384.

TMUs: Both have 1,024.

Ray tracing cores: AMD has none listed, Intel has 128.

Pixel rate: Both are 0 MPixel/s.

Texture rate: AMD achieves 2,457.6 GTexel/s, Intel achieves 1,638.4 GTexel/s.

FP32 performance: AMD delivers 157.3 TFLOPS, Intel delivers 52.43 TFLOPS.

FP16 performance: AMD delivers 157.3 TFLOPS (1:1), Intel delivers 52.43 TFLOPS (1:1).

TDP: AMD is rated at 2300 W, Intel at 600 W.

Slot width: AMD uses EAM Module, Intel uses OAM Module.

Power connectors: AMD has none, Intel has no listing.

Suggested PSU: AMD requires 2700 W, Intel requires 1000 W.

Bus interface: AMD uses PCIe 6.0 x16, Intel uses PCIe 5.0 x16.

Display outputs: Both have no outputs.

DirectX support: AMD lists N/A, Intel lists 12 (12_1).

OpenGL support: AMD lists N/A, Intel lists 4.6.

Vulkan support: AMD lists N/A, Intel has no listing.

Production status: AMD has no listing, Intel is Active.

Release date: AMD is July 22, 2026, Intel is January 9, 2023.

Predecessor: AMD lists Radeon Instinct, Intel has none.

Successor: AMD has none, Intel lists H3C Graphics.

API support: AMD reports no graphics APIs, Intel supports DirectX 12 (12_1) and OpenGL 4.6.

The Verdict

The data presents two accelerators with divergent profiles. The AMD Instinct MI455X is positioned as a high-capacity, high-throughput compute engine. Its 432 GB of HBM4 memory, 23.3 TB/s bandwidth, and 157.3 TFLOPS FP32 performance place it in a performance class far above the Intel part. The 3.0 times FP32 advantage, 3.4 times memory capacity advantage, and 7.1 times memory bandwidth advantage make the AMD part the clear choice for workloads that demand maximum memory capacity and compute throughput.

The Intel Data Center GPU Max 1550 offers a different trade-off. Its 600 W TDP, versus AMD's 2300 W, means a dramatically lower power requirement. The suggested PSU of 1000 W versus 2700 W reinforces this efficiency gap. For deployments where power delivery and thermal management are constrained, the Intel part presents a more manageable integration profile. Additionally, Intel's part includes 128 ray tracing cores, a feature absent from the AMD specification, and supports DirectX 12 (12_1) and OpenGL 4.6, whereas AMD reports no graphics API support.

The production status also differs. Intel's part is Active, while AMD's has no production status recorded. The release dates show Intel shipping in January 2023 and AMD scheduled for July 2026, indicating a substantial availability gap.

Both GPUs sit at the 50th percentile in the database, and neither has recorded benchmark scores. The theoretical specifications are the only measurable data. For users prioritizing raw compute density, memory bandwidth, and capacity, the AMD Instinct MI455X delivers the highest recorded figures. For users prioritizing power efficiency, established production availability, and graphics API compatibility, the Intel Data Center GPU Max 1550 holds the advantage. The database shows no wins for either side in head-to-head benchmarks, so the decision rests entirely on the specification differences presented here.