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.

EPYC 9124

2022

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 28.
✅357.1% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 28) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 40.3 vs 72.0 PassMark/$ ($1,083 MSRP vs $600 MSRP).
❌263.6% higher power demand at 200W vs 55W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen AI Max PRO 390

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +36.4% higher average FPS across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $483 less on MSRP ($600 MSRP vs $1,083 MSRP).
✅Delivers 78.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 72.0 vs 40.3 PassMark/$ ($600 MSRP vs $1,083 MSRP).
✅Draws 55W instead of 200W, a 145W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with AMD Radeon 8050S, while EPYC 9124 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (43,174 vs 43,638).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 9124, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

EPYC 9124

2022

Ryzen AI Max PRO 390

2025

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 28.
✅357.1% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 28) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +36.4% higher average FPS across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $483 less on MSRP ($600 MSRP vs $1,083 MSRP).
✅Delivers 78.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 72.0 vs 40.3 PassMark/$ ($600 MSRP vs $1,083 MSRP).
✅Draws 55W instead of 200W, a 145W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with AMD Radeon 8050S, while EPYC 9124 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 40.3 vs 72.0 PassMark/$ ($1,083 MSRP vs $600 MSRP).
❌263.6% higher power demand at 200W vs 55W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (43,174 vs 43,638).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 9124, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 better than EPYC 9124?

Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. EPYC 9124 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 is the better mainstream desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and day-to-day practicality.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 9124 is the better fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads.

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

Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 is the smarter buy today. Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 is $483 cheaper on MSRP at $600 MSRP versus $1,083 MSRP, and it gives you a 36.4% average FPS lead across 2 shared CPU game tests in our data. The trade-off is that EPYC 9124 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.1% better PassMark. It is also 78.6% better value on MSRP (72.0 vs 40.3 PassMark/$), 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 PRO 390 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2022). 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.

EPYC 9124 Benchmark Check

Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	EPYC 9124	Ryzen AI Max PRO 390
1080p
low	165 FPS	286 FPS
medium	135 FPS	253 FPS
high	116 FPS	213 FPS
ultra	91 FPS	185 FPS
1440p
low	145 FPS	266 FPS
medium	116 FPS	211 FPS
high	94 FPS	165 FPS
ultra	75 FPS	147 FPS
4K
low	69 FPS	184 FPS
medium	58 FPS	147 FPS
high	46 FPS	108 FPS
ultra	38 FPS	97 FPS

Open EPYC 9124 Open Ryzen AI Max PRO 390

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	EPYC 9124	Ryzen AI Max PRO 390
1080p
low	499 FPS	778 FPS
medium	439 FPS	656 FPS
high	354 FPS	517 FPS
ultra	292 FPS	459 FPS
1440p
low	421 FPS	654 FPS
medium	377 FPS	572 FPS
high	314 FPS	463 FPS
ultra	249 FPS	378 FPS
4K
low	260 FPS	368 FPS
medium	237 FPS	326 FPS
high	210 FPS	300 FPS
ultra	175 FPS	264 FPS

Open EPYC 9124 Open Ryzen AI Max PRO 390

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	EPYC 9124	Ryzen AI Max PRO 390
1080p
low	642 FPS	1021 FPS
medium	524 FPS	783 FPS
high	488 FPS	685 FPS
ultra	425 FPS	580 FPS
1440p
low	499 FPS	818 FPS
medium	406 FPS	635 FPS
high	372 FPS	551 FPS
ultra	322 FPS	469 FPS
4K
low	371 FPS	565 FPS
medium	288 FPS	460 FPS
high	258 FPS	409 FPS
ultra	207 FPS	342 FPS

Open EPYC 9124 Open Ryzen AI Max PRO 390

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	EPYC 9124	Ryzen AI Max PRO 390
1080p
low	851 FPS	1079 FPS
medium	780 FPS	1015 FPS
high	675 FPS	912 FPS
ultra	595 FPS	811 FPS
1440p
low	681 FPS	895 FPS
medium	601 FPS	788 FPS
high	517 FPS	689 FPS
ultra	442 FPS	605 FPS
4K
low	491 FPS	658 FPS
medium	442 FPS	582 FPS
high	388 FPS	514 FPS
ultra	334 FPS	437 FPS

Open EPYC 9124 Open Ryzen AI Max PRO 390

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of EPYC 9124 and Ryzen AI Max PRO 390

EPYC 9124

The EPYC 9124 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 10 November 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Genoa (2022−2023) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm, 6 nm process technology. Socket: SP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 200 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 43,638 points. Launch price was $1,083.

Ryzen AI Max PRO 390

The Ryzen AI Max PRO 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: 43,174 points. Launch price was $499.

⚡

Processing Power

The EPYC 9124 packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the EPYC 9124 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the EPYC 9124 versus 5 GHz on the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 — a 29.9% clock advantage for the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 (base: 3 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The EPYC 9124 uses the Genoa (2022−2023) architecture (5 nm, 6 nm), while the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 uses Strix Halo (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 9124 scores 43,638 against the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390's 43,174 — a 1.1% lead for the EPYC 9124. Both processors carry 64 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	EPYC 9124	Ryzen AI Max PRO 390
Cores / Threads	16 / 32+33%	12 / 24
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	5 GHz+35%
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.2 GHz+7%
L3 Cache	64 MB (total)	64 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	1 MB (per core)
Process	5 nm, 6 nm	4 nm-20%
Architecture	Genoa (2022−2023)	Strix Halo (2025)
PassMark	43,638+1%	43,174
Geekbench 6 Single	1,770	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	18,000	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 9124 uses the SP5 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 uses FP11 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the EPYC 9124 versus 8000 on the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 — the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 supports 199.8% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 9124 supports up to 6144 GB of RAM compared to 128 — 191.8% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 12 (EPYC 9124) vs 4 (Ryzen AI Max PRO 390). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 9124) vs 28 (Ryzen AI Max PRO 390) — the EPYC 9124 offers 100 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP5 (EPYC 9124) and Strix Halo (Ryzen AI Max PRO 390).

Feature	EPYC 9124	Ryzen AI Max PRO 390
Socket	SP5	FP11
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	8000+159900%
Max RAM Capacity	6144 GB+5033164700%	128
RAM Channels	12+200%	4
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	128+357%	28

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: AMD-V (EPYC 9124) vs VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V (Ryzen AI Max PRO 390). The Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 includes integrated graphics (AMD Radeon 8050S), while the EPYC 9124 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: EPYC 9124 targets Server. Direct competitor: EPYC 9124 rivals Xeon Gold 6426Y; Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 rivals Apple M4 Max.

Feature	EPYC 9124	Ryzen AI Max PRO 390
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	None	AMD Radeon 8050S
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	AMD-V	VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V
Target Use	Server	—

💰

Value Analysis

The EPYC 9124 launched at $1083 MSRP, while the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 debuted at $600. On MSRP ($1083 vs $600), the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 is $483 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9124 delivers 40.3 pts/$ vs 72.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 — making the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 the 56.4% better value option.