Page Index

M3 Max 16-Core vs Ryzen AI Max 390

CPUCPUGPUGPU

M3 Max 16-Core

16 Cores16 Thrd−WMax: 4.06 GHz2023

Popular choices:

•••••••••
VS
AMD

Ryzen AI Max 390

12 Cores24 Thrd55 WWMax: 5 GHz2025

Popular choices:

•••••••••

Performance Spectrum - CPU

M3 Max 16-Core
16 / 16
41,257
0.0%
Ryzen AI Max 390
12 / 24
41,834
+1.4%
brand logoRyzen 7 8840U
brand logoRyzen 7 5800XT
brand logoRyzen 7 8745HX
brand logoRyzen 7 9700X
brand logoRyzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX
brand logoRyzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX
brand logoRyzen Threadripper 9960X
brand logoRyzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

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.

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.

M3 Max 16-Core

2023

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen AI Max 390 across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • ❌Lower PassMark (41,257 vs 41,834).

    Ryzen AI Max 390

    2025

    Why buy it

    • ✅Better for gaming: +10.7% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • ✅100+% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

    Trade-offs

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

    Quick Answers

    So, is Ryzen AI Max 390 better than M3 Max 16-Core?
    Yes. Ryzen AI Max 390 is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 10.7% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.4% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.
    Which one is better for gaming?
    If gaming is the priority, Ryzen AI Max 390 is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 10.7% 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, Ryzen AI Max 390 is the better fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Ryzen AI Max 390 still looks like the safer overall buy. Ryzen AI Max 390 is at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you a 10.7% average FPS lead across 4 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 more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 24 threads instead of 16/16. 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.

    Path of Exile 2

    Path of Exile 2

    PresetM3 Max 16-CoreRyzen AI Max 390
    1080p
    low183 FPS265 FPS
    medium146 FPS241 FPS
    high120 FPS205 FPS
    ultra94 FPS178 FPS
    1440p
    low146 FPS252 FPS
    medium115 FPS206 FPS
    high92 FPS162 FPS
    ultra72 FPS146 FPS
    4K
    low67 FPS175 FPS
    medium56 FPS143 FPS
    high45 FPS107 FPS
    ultra35 FPS96 FPS
    Open M3 Max 16-CoreOpen Ryzen AI Max 390
    Counter-Strike 2

    Counter-Strike 2

    PresetM3 Max 16-CoreRyzen AI Max 390
    1080p
    low399 FPS671 FPS
    medium339 FPS578 FPS
    high293 FPS435 FPS
    ultra258 FPS376 FPS
    1440p
    low353 FPS564 FPS
    medium309 FPS503 FPS
    high271 FPS392 FPS
    ultra232 FPS312 FPS
    4K
    low256 FPS318 FPS
    medium230 FPS288 FPS
    high210 FPS255 FPS
    ultra185 FPS219 FPS
    Open M3 Max 16-CoreOpen Ryzen AI Max 390
    League of Legends

    League of Legends

    PresetM3 Max 16-CoreRyzen AI Max 390
    1080p
    low913 FPS769 FPS
    medium749 FPS602 FPS
    high676 FPS526 FPS
    ultra605 FPS442 FPS
    1440p
    low642 FPS668 FPS
    medium526 FPS527 FPS
    high467 FPS457 FPS
    ultra408 FPS387 FPS
    4K
    low462 FPS478 FPS
    medium364 FPS395 FPS
    high320 FPS351 FPS
    ultra258 FPS292 FPS
    Open M3 Max 16-CoreOpen Ryzen AI Max 390
    Valorant

    Valorant

    PresetM3 Max 16-CoreRyzen AI Max 390
    1080p
    low914 FPS1046 FPS
    medium825 FPS953 FPS
    high717 FPS833 FPS
    ultra621 FPS751 FPS
    1440p
    low715 FPS838 FPS
    medium625 FPS746 FPS
    high540 FPS652 FPS
    ultra469 FPS566 FPS
    4K
    low494 FPS616 FPS
    medium443 FPS552 FPS
    high396 FPS487 FPS
    ultra342 FPS422 FPS
    Open M3 Max 16-CoreOpen Ryzen AI Max 390
    Check FPS for your specific build

    Technical Specifications

    Side-by-side comparison of M3 Max 16-Core and Ryzen AI Max 390

    M3 Max 16-Core

    The M3 Max 16-Core is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 30 October 2023 (2 years ago). It features 16 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.748 GHz, with boost up to 4.06 GHz. Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: none. Memory support: LPDDR5, LPDDR5X. Passmark benchmark score: 41,257 points. Launch price was $499.

    AMD

    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 M3 Max 16-Core packs 16 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen AI Max 390 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the M3 Max 16-Core has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.06 GHz on the M3 Max 16-Core versus 5 GHz on the Ryzen AI Max 390 — a 20.8% clock advantage for the Ryzen AI Max 390 (base: 2.748 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Ryzen AI Max 390 is built on the Strix Halo (2025) architecture. In PassMark, the M3 Max 16-Core scores 41,257 against the Ryzen AI Max 390's 41,834 — a 1.4% lead for the Ryzen AI Max 390.

    FeatureM3 Max 16-CoreRyzen AI Max 390
    Cores / Threads
    16 / 16+33%
    12 / 24
    Boost Clock
    4.06 GHz
    5 GHz+23%
    Base Clock
    2.748 GHz
    3.2 GHz+16%
    L3 Cache
    —
    64 MB (total)
    L2 Cache
    —
    1 MB (per core)
    Process
    3 nm-25%
    4 nm
    Architecture
    —
    Strix Halo (2025)
    PassMark
    41,257
    41,834+1%
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The M3 Max 16-Core uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen AI Max 390 uses FP11 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 6400 on the M3 Max 16-Core versus 8000 on the Ryzen AI Max 390 — the Ryzen AI Max 390 supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 of RAM. Both feature 4-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (M3 Max 16-Core) vs 28 (Ryzen AI Max 390) — the Ryzen AI Max 390 offers 28 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Apple M3 (M3 Max 16-Core) and Strix Halo (Ryzen AI Max 390).

    FeatureM3 Max 16-CoreRyzen AI Max 390
    Socket
    none
    FP11
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 4.0
    PCIe 4.0
    Max RAM Speed
    6400
    8000+25%
    Max RAM Capacity
    128
    128
    RAM Channels
    4
    4
    ECC Support
    No
    Yes
    PCIe Lanes
    0
    28
    🔧

    Advanced Features

    Only the Ryzen AI Max 390 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Ryzen AI Max 390 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (macOS) (M3 Max 16-Core) vs VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V (Ryzen AI Max 390). Both include integrated graphics — Apple M3 Max GPU (40-core) (M3 Max 16-Core) and AMD Radeon 8050S (Ryzen AI Max 390) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: M3 Max 16-Core rivals Core i9-13950HX; Ryzen AI Max 390 rivals Apple M4 Max.

    FeatureM3 Max 16-CoreRyzen AI Max 390
    Integrated GPU
    Yes
    Yes
    IGPU Model
    Apple M3 Max GPU (40-core)
    AMD Radeon 8050S
    Unlocked
    No
    Yes
    AVX-512
    No
    Yes
    Virtualization
    VT-x, VT-d (macOS)
    VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V