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 i9-13900HX

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Laptop Integrated), unlike Ryzen AI Max 390.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (36 MB vs 64 MB).

Ryzen AI Max 390

2025

Why buy it

✅+77.8% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 36 MB).
✅40% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13900HX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (41,834 vs 42,437).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i9-13900HX.

Core i9-13900HX

2023

Ryzen AI Max 390

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Laptop Integrated), unlike Ryzen AI Max 390.

Why buy it

✅+77.8% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 36 MB).
✅40% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (36 MB vs 64 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13900HX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (41,834 vs 42,437).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i9-13900HX.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-13900HX better than Ryzen AI Max 390?

Yes. Core i9-13900HX is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 8.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.4% better PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-13900HX is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 8.8% 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, Core i9-13900HX is the better fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 32 threads.

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

Core i9-13900HX still looks like the safer overall buy. Core i9-13900HX is at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you a 8.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Ryzen AI Max 390 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2023) and 77.8% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 36 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 i9-13900HX Benchmark Check

Ryzen AI Max 390 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i9-13900HX	Ryzen AI Max 390
1080p
low	321 FPS	265 FPS
medium	311 FPS	241 FPS
high	247 FPS	205 FPS
ultra	209 FPS	178 FPS
1440p
low	278 FPS	252 FPS
medium	240 FPS	206 FPS
high	178 FPS	162 FPS
ultra	158 FPS	146 FPS
4K
low	192 FPS	175 FPS
medium	164 FPS	143 FPS
high	123 FPS	107 FPS
ultra	112 FPS	96 FPS

Open Core i9-13900HX Open Ryzen AI Max 390

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i9-13900HX	Ryzen AI Max 390
1080p
low	401 FPS	671 FPS
medium	350 FPS	578 FPS
high	286 FPS	435 FPS
ultra	252 FPS	376 FPS
1440p
low	341 FPS	564 FPS
medium	306 FPS	503 FPS
high	255 FPS	392 FPS
ultra	207 FPS	312 FPS
4K
low	191 FPS	318 FPS
medium	174 FPS	288 FPS
high	166 FPS	255 FPS
ultra	145 FPS	219 FPS

Open Core i9-13900HX Open Ryzen AI Max 390

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i9-13900HX	Ryzen AI Max 390
1080p
low	762 FPS	769 FPS
medium	626 FPS	602 FPS
high	543 FPS	526 FPS
ultra	467 FPS	442 FPS
1440p
low	680 FPS	668 FPS
medium	567 FPS	527 FPS
high	485 FPS	457 FPS
ultra	423 FPS	387 FPS
4K
low	497 FPS	478 FPS
medium	430 FPS	395 FPS
high	383 FPS	351 FPS
ultra	329 FPS	292 FPS

Open Core i9-13900HX Open Ryzen AI Max 390

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i9-13900HX	Ryzen AI Max 390
1080p
low	1012 FPS	1046 FPS
medium	905 FPS	953 FPS
high	792 FPS	833 FPS
ultra	704 FPS	751 FPS
1440p
low	840 FPS	838 FPS
medium	739 FPS	746 FPS
high	646 FPS	652 FPS
ultra	568 FPS	566 FPS
4K
low	620 FPS	616 FPS
medium	555 FPS	552 FPS
high	491 FPS	487 FPS
ultra	430 FPS	422 FPS

Open Core i9-13900HX Open Ryzen AI Max 390

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i9-13900HX and Ryzen AI Max 390

Core i9-13900HX

The Core i9-13900HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-HX (2023) architecture. It features 24 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1964. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 42,437 points. Launch price was $668.

Ryzen AI Max 390

The Ryzen AI Max 390 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 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 64 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: 41,834 points. Launch price was $499.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i9-13900HX packs 24 cores / 32 threads, while the Ryzen AI Max 390 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Core i9-13900HX has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.4 GHz on the Core i9-13900HX versus 5 GHz on the Ryzen AI Max 390 — a 7.7% clock advantage for the Core i9-13900HX (base: 2.2 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i9-13900HX uses the Raptor Lake-HX (2023) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen AI Max 390 uses Strix Halo (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-13900HX scores 42,437 against the Ryzen AI Max 390's 41,834 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i9-13900HX. L3 cache: 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-13900HX vs 64 MB (total) on the Ryzen AI Max 390.

Feature	Core i9-13900HX	Ryzen AI Max 390
Cores / Threads	24 / 32+100%	12 / 24
Boost Clock	5.4 GHz+8%	5 GHz
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	3.2 GHz+45%
L3 Cache	36 MB (total)	64 MB (total)+78%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+100%	1 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	4 nm-43%
Architecture	Raptor Lake-HX (2023)	Strix Halo (2025)
PassMark	42,437+1%	41,834
Cinebench R23 Multi	29,493	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,878	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	14,944	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-13900HX uses the FCBGA1964 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen AI Max 390 uses FP11 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200 on the Core i9-13900HX versus 8000 on the Ryzen AI Max 390 — the Ryzen AI Max 390 supports 199.8% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i9-13900HX supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 — 40% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i9-13900HX) vs 4 (Ryzen AI Max 390). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i9-13900HX) vs 28 (Ryzen AI Max 390) — the Ryzen AI Max 390 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM770,WM790 (Core i9-13900HX) and Strix Halo (Ryzen AI Max 390).

Feature	Core i9-13900HX	Ryzen AI Max 390
Socket	FCBGA1964	FP11
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200	8000+159900%
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+157286300%	128
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	28+40%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Ryzen AI Max 390 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i9-13900HX) vs VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V (Ryzen AI Max 390). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 770 (Core i9-13900HX) and AMD Radeon 8050S (Ryzen AI Max 390) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-13900HX targets Performance Gaming / Mobile Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i9-13900HX rivals Ryzen 9 7945HX; Ryzen AI Max 390 rivals Apple M4 Max.

Feature	Core i9-13900HX	Ryzen AI Max 390
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 770	AMD Radeon 8050S
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V
Target Use	Performance Gaming / Mobile Workstation	—