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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i5-13600K

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.9% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $329 MSRP, while Ryzen AI Max 385 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌127.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 55W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen AI Max 385.

Ryzen AI Max 385

2025

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Draws 55W instead of 125W, a 70W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Laptop Integrated), unlike Core i5-13600K.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13600K across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (32,274 vs 37,655).

Core i5-13600K

2022

Ryzen AI Max 385

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.9% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Draws 55W instead of 125W, a 70W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Laptop Integrated), unlike Core i5-13600K.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $329 MSRP, while Ryzen AI Max 385 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌127.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 55W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen AI Max 385.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13600K across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (32,274 vs 37,655).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13600K better than Ryzen AI Max 385?

Yes. Core i5-13600K is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 10.9% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data and 16.7% better PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-13600K is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 10.9% more average FPS across 4 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-13600K is the better fit. You are getting 16.7% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads.

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

Core i5-13600K is the smarter buy today. Core i5-13600K is at an unclear MSRP at $329 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you a 10.9% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (114.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

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

Ryzen AI Max 385 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2022) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 24 MB). That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core i5-13600K Benchmark Check

Ryzen AI Max 385 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Ryzen AI Max 385
1080p
low	281 FPS	257 FPS
medium	264 FPS	234 FPS
high	220 FPS	203 FPS
ultra	188 FPS	174 FPS
1440p
low	235 FPS	222 FPS
medium	198 FPS	183 FPS
high	158 FPS	153 FPS
ultra	138 FPS	134 FPS
4K
low	159 FPS	154 FPS
medium	133 FPS	127 FPS
high	102 FPS	99 FPS
ultra	90 FPS	86 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Ryzen AI Max 385

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Ryzen AI Max 385
1080p
low	632 FPS	592 FPS
medium	533 FPS	500 FPS
high	450 FPS	391 FPS
ultra	416 FPS	346 FPS
1440p
low	540 FPS	508 FPS
medium	474 FPS	452 FPS
high	403 FPS	359 FPS
ultra	351 FPS	299 FPS
4K
low	316 FPS	303 FPS
medium	282 FPS	273 FPS
high	269 FPS	243 FPS
ultra	238 FPS	209 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Ryzen AI Max 385

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Ryzen AI Max 385
1080p
low	663 FPS	780 FPS
medium	543 FPS	611 FPS
high	477 FPS	534 FPS
ultra	414 FPS	447 FPS
1440p
low	600 FPS	676 FPS
medium	499 FPS	534 FPS
high	434 FPS	463 FPS
ultra	376 FPS	389 FPS
4K
low	441 FPS	476 FPS
medium	381 FPS	394 FPS
high	344 FPS	350 FPS
ultra	295 FPS	288 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Ryzen AI Max 385

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Ryzen AI Max 385
1080p
low	941 FPS	807 FPS
medium	941 FPS	807 FPS
high	923 FPS	779 FPS
ultra	831 FPS	700 FPS
1440p
low	941 FPS	796 FPS
medium	850 FPS	706 FPS
high	738 FPS	619 FPS
ultra	651 FPS	536 FPS
4K
low	651 FPS	554 FPS
medium	588 FPS	499 FPS
high	529 FPS	448 FPS
ultra	437 FPS	389 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Ryzen AI Max 385

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-13600K and Ryzen AI Max 385

Core i5-13600K

The Core i5-13600K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 September 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 37,655 points. Launch price was $319.

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 i5-13600K packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Ryzen AI Max 385 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i5-13600K has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i5-13600K versus 5 GHz on the Ryzen AI Max 385 — a 2% clock advantage for the Core i5-13600K (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-13600K uses the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen AI Max 385 uses Strix Halo (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13600K scores 37,655 against the Ryzen AI Max 385's 32,274 — a 15.4% lead for the Core i5-13600K. L3 cache: 24 MB on the Core i5-13600K vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen AI Max 385.

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Ryzen AI Max 385
Cores / Threads	14 / 20+75%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz+2%	5 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz	3.6 GHz+3%
L3 Cache	24 MB	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, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)	Strix Halo (2025)
PassMark	37,655+17%	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 i5-13600K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen AI Max 385 uses FP11 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-5600 memory speed. The Core i5-13600K supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 40% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-13600K) vs 4 (Ryzen AI Max 385). Both provide 20 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel 600 series,Intel 700 series (Core i5-13600K) and Strix Halo platform (Ryzen AI Max 385).

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Ryzen AI Max 385
Socket	LGA1700	FP11
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600	LPDDR5x-8000
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+50%	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Ryzen AI Max 385 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13600K) vs AMD-V (Ryzen AI Max 385). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 770 (Core i5-13600K) and Radeon 8050S (Ryzen AI Max 385) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13600K 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 i5-13600K	Ryzen AI Max 385
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 770	Radeon 8050S
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	Desktop	High-performance AI / Gaming Laptop

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-13600K launched at $329 MSRP, while the Ryzen AI Max 385 debuted at $0. On MSRP ($329 vs $0), the Ryzen AI Max 385 is $329 cheaper.