
Ryzen AI Max 385 vs Xeon E-2488

Ryzen AI Max 385

Xeon E-2488
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E-2488
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Ryzen AI Max 385 | Xeon E-2488 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Strix Halo (2025) / 4 nm) | ✨ Modern (Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Ryzen AI Max 385 | Xeon E-2488 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen AI Max 385 and Xeon E-2488

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.

Xeon E-2488
The Xeon E-2488 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.6 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): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 31,888 points. Launch price was $606.
Processing Power
Both the Ryzen AI Max 385 and Xeon E-2488 share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Ryzen AI Max 385 versus 5.6 GHz on the Xeon E-2488 — a 11.3% clock advantage for the Xeon E-2488 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Ryzen AI Max 385 uses the Strix Halo (2025) architecture (4 nm), while the Xeon E-2488 uses Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen AI Max 385 scores 32,274 against the Xeon E-2488's 31,888 — a 1.2% lead for the Ryzen AI Max 385. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 16,500 vs 15,000 (9.5% advantage for the Ryzen AI Max 385). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,800 vs 2,100, a 28.6% lead for the Ryzen AI Max 385 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 14,000 vs 12,000 (15.4% advantage for the Ryzen AI Max 385). L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen AI Max 385 vs 24 MB (total) on the Xeon E-2488.
| Feature | Ryzen AI Max 385 | Xeon E-2488 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 16 | 8 / 16 |
| Boost Clock | 5 GHz | 5.6 GHz+12% |
| Base Clock | 3.6 GHz+12% | 3.2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 32 MB (total)+33% | 24 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 2 MB (per core)+100% |
| Process | 4 nm-43% | Intel 7 nm |
| Architecture | Strix Halo (2025) | Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) |
| PassMark | 32,274+1% | 31,888 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 16,500+10% | 15,000 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,800+33% | 2,100 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 14,000+17% | 12,000 |
Memory & Platform
The Ryzen AI Max 385 uses the FP11 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E-2488 uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to LPDDR5x-8000 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 4 (Ryzen AI Max 385) vs 2 (Xeon E-2488). Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Strix Halo platform (Ryzen AI Max 385) and W680 (Xeon E-2488).
| Feature | Ryzen AI Max 385 | Xeon E-2488 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FP11 | LGA1700 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 5.0+25% |
| Max RAM Speed | LPDDR5x-8000 | DDR5-4800 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 4+100% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | 20 |
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: AMD-V (Ryzen AI Max 385) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon E-2488). The Ryzen AI Max 385 includes integrated graphics (Radeon 8050S), while the Xeon E-2488 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen AI Max 385 targets High-performance AI / Gaming Laptop, Xeon E-2488 targets Entry-level Server / Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen AI Max 385 rivals Core Ultra 9 285H; Xeon E-2488 rivals Xeon E-2388G.
| Feature | Ryzen AI Max 385 | Xeon E-2488 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Radeon 8050S | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | Yes | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | High-performance AI / Gaming Laptop | Entry-level Server / Workstation |
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