Ryzen AI MAX & AI 400/300 CPUs Set to Outperform Core Ultra Series 3

The competition between AMD and Intel intensifies with the impending release of Intel’s Panther Lake “Core Ultra Series 3.” AMD is promoting its Ryzen AI MAX and Ryzen AI 400/300 CPUs as superior options for various market segments, including premium, mainstream, and entry-level categories. AMD’s marketing claims indicate that their CPUs outperform Intel’s upcoming offerings in several key areas.

A Tried-and-True Competitive Strategy

AMD is backing its Ryzen lineup against Intel’s new processors, specifically in vital segments.

High-Performance Segment

In the premium segment, AMD introduces the Ryzen AI MAX family featuring the Ryzen AI MAX+ 392 and Ryzen AI MAX+ 388 SoCs. These processors allow AMD to maintain a competitive edge, especially in content creation, gaming, and AI.

• Ryzen AI MAX expected to lead in content creation and gaming.
• Focus on integrated CPU, NPU, and GPU performance.
• Aimed against Intel’s highest-performing Panther Lake SKUs.

Mainstream and Entry-Level Segments

AMD’s Ryzen AI 400 series competes with Intel’s Core Ultra 7 and Core Ultra 9 in the mainstream segment. Meanwhile, the Ryzen AI 300 series is positioned against the Core Ultra 5 offerings.

• Ryzen AI 400 targets higher specs against Core Ultra 9 and 7.
• Ryzen AI 300 series faces off with Core Ultra 5 processors.
• AMD maintains Radeon iGPUs with significant compute units.

In the entry-level space, AMD’s processors target Intel’s Core Ultra Series 3 “Wildcat Lake” offerings. The competitive landscape here is crucial, as the entry-level market drives significant sales.

Debunking Intel’s Claims

AMD has taken a stand against Intel’s assertions made during CES 2026, particularly regarding the performance of the Core Ultra X9 388H. AMD contends that its Ryzen AI MAX 395+ provides 37% better graphics performance.

• Intel claims a performance edge, but AMD highlights threading advantages.
• Intel’s 388H configuration maxes out at 16 cores, while Ryzen AI MAX offers 32 threads.

Additionally, AMD challenges Intel’s efficiency claims, arguing that the new Panther Lake does not significantly outperform its existing Ryzen chips in power efficiency.

Looking Ahead

As the release of Intel’s Panther Lake approaches, AMD maintains its optimistic outlook for its Ryzen AI series, expecting it to excel in performance, graphics, and efficiency. This competitive dynamic is set to deliver an exciting period in the PC market.

All eyes will be on the benchmarks and reviews that follow Intel’s launch, as both companies strive to capture the hearts of consumers across different segments. The rivalry between AMD and Intel is poised to deliver advancements and options for users looking for high-performance CPUs.