Ryzen 7 8745HX vs Ryzen AI Max 385

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.

Ryzen 7 8745HX 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.

Ryzen 7 8745HX 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.

Ryzen 7 8745HX

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅40% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Ryzen AI Max 385

2025

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 8745HX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (16,500 vs 18,000).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 8745HX better than Ryzen AI Max 385?

Yes. Ryzen 7 8745HX is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 9.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 1.1% higher PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 7 8745HX is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.2% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 7 8745HX is the stronger fit. You are getting 9.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Ryzen 7 8745HX still makes the most sense overall. Ryzen 7 8745HX comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Ryzen 7 8745HX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 8/16. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Ryzen 7 8745HX vs Ryzen AI Max 385 Technical Specifications

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

Ryzen 7 8745HX

The Ryzen 7 8745HX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 23 April 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Dragon Range (2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: FL1. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 32,620 points. Launch price was $499.

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

Both the Ryzen 7 8745HX and Ryzen AI Max 385 share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Ryzen 7 8745HX versus 5 GHz on the Ryzen AI Max 385 — a 2% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 8745HX (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Ryzen 7 8745HX uses the Dragon Range (2025) architecture (5 nm), while the Ryzen AI Max 385 uses Strix Halo (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 7 8745HX scores 32,620 against the Ryzen AI Max 385's 32,274 — a 1.1% lead for the Ryzen 7 8745HX. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 18,000 vs 16,500 (8.7% advantage for the Ryzen 7 8745HX). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,700 vs 2,800, a 3.6% lead for the Ryzen AI Max 385 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 13,500 vs 14,000 (3.6% advantage for the Ryzen AI Max 385). Both processors carry 32 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Ryzen 7 8745HX	Ryzen AI Max 385
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	8 / 16
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz+2%	5 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	32 MB (total)	32 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	1 MB (per core)
Process	5 nm	4 nm-20%
Architecture	Dragon Range (2025)	Strix Halo (2025)
PassMark	32,620+1%	32,274
Cinebench R23 Multi	18,000+9%	16,500
Geekbench 6 Single	2,700	2,800+4%
Geekbench 6 Multi	13,500	14,000+4%

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Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 7 8745HX uses the FL1 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 DDR5-5200 on the Ryzen 7 8745HX versus LPDDR5x-8000 on the Ryzen AI Max 385 — the Ryzen AI Max 385 supports 53.8% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen AI Max 385 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Ryzen 7 8745HX) vs 4 (Ryzen AI Max 385). PCIe lanes: 28 (Ryzen 7 8745HX) vs 20 (Ryzen AI Max 385) — the Ryzen 7 8745HX offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: FL1 (Ryzen 7 8745HX) and Strix Halo platform (Ryzen AI Max 385).

Feature	Ryzen 7 8745HX	Ryzen AI Max 385
Socket	FL1	FP11
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5200	LPDDR5x-8000+54%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	28+40%	20

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Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Both support AMD-V virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Radeon 610M (Ryzen 7 8745HX) and Radeon 8050S (Ryzen AI Max 385) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 7 8745HX targets High-end Gaming Laptop, Ryzen AI Max 385 targets High-performance AI / Gaming Laptop. Direct competitor: Ryzen 7 8745HX rivals Core i7-14700HX; Ryzen AI Max 385 rivals Core Ultra 9 285H.

Feature	Ryzen 7 8745HX	Ryzen AI Max 385
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Radeon 610M	Radeon 8050S
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	AMD-V	AMD-V
Target Use	High-end Gaming Laptop	High-performance AI / Gaming Laptop