Core i5-14600 vs Ryzen AI Max 385

CPU

GPU

Core i5-14600

14 Cores20 Thrd65 WWMax: 5.2 GHz2024

Core family

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Ryzen AI Max 385

8 Cores16 Thrd55 WWMax: 5 GHz2025

Similar parts

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Core i5-14600 vs Ryzen AI Max 385 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-14600

14 / 20

32,319

+0.1%

32,274

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7975WX

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i5-14600 vs Ryzen AI Max 385 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-14600 vs Ryzen AI Max 385: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-14600

2024

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen AI Max 385 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $255 MSRP, while Ryzen AI Max 385 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen AI Max 385.

Ryzen AI Max 385

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Laptop Integrated), unlike Core i5-14600.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (32,274 vs 32,319).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen AI Max 385 better than Core i5-14600?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen AI Max 385 is ahead with a 7.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-14600 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark. Ryzen AI Max 385 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 24 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-14600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Ryzen AI Max 385 is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-14600 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen AI Max 385 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $255 MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-14600 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.1% better PassMark. Core i5-14600 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (126.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Ryzen AI Max 385 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2024) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 24 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-14600 vs Ryzen AI Max 385 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i5-14600

The Core i5-14600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 32,319 points. Launch price was $255.

Ryzen AI Max 385

The Ryzen AI Max 385 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Strix Halo (2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP11. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 32,274 points. Launch price was $499.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-14600 packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Ryzen AI Max 385 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i5-14600 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.2 GHz on the Core i5-14600 versus 5 GHz on the Ryzen AI Max 385 — a 3.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-14600 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-14600 uses the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen AI Max 385 uses Strix Halo (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-14600 scores 32,319 against the Ryzen AI Max 385's 32,274 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-14600. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i5-14600 vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen AI Max 385.

Feature	Core i5-14600	Ryzen AI Max 385
Cores / Threads	14 / 20+75%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	5.2 GHz+4%	5 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	3.6 GHz+33%
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)	32 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+100%	1 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	4 nm-43%
Architecture	Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025)	Strix Halo (2025)
PassMark	32,319	32,274
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	16,500
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,800
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	14,000

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-14600 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen AI Max 385 uses FP11 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Core i5-14600 versus LPDDR5x-8000 on the Ryzen AI Max 385 — the Ryzen AI Max 385 supports 42.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-14600 supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-14600) vs 4 (Ryzen AI Max 385). Both provide 20 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i5-14600	Ryzen AI Max 385
Socket	LGA1700	FP11
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600	LPDDR5x-8000+43%
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+50%	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20	20

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Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen AI Max 385 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Ryzen AI Max 385 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-14600) vs AMD-V (Ryzen AI Max 385). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 770 (Core i5-14600) and Radeon 8050S (Ryzen AI Max 385) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-14600 targets Desktop, Ryzen AI Max 385 targets High-performance AI / Gaming Laptop. Direct competitor: Ryzen AI Max 385 rivals Core Ultra 9 285H.

Feature	Core i5-14600	Ryzen AI Max 385
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 770	Radeon 8050S
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	Desktop	High-performance AI / Gaming Laptop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-14600 was priced at $255, while the Ryzen AI Max 385 came in at $0. On launch pricing ($255 vs $0), Ryzen AI Max 385 was $255 cheaper.

Feature	Core i5-14600	Ryzen AI Max 385
MSRP	$255	$0-100%
Performance per Dollar	126.7	—
Release Date	2024	2025

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