Core i7-13790F vs M4 Max (16 cores)
Core i7-13790F
M4 Max (16 cores)
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-13790F
Performance Per Dollar M4 Max (16 cores)
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-13790F | M4 Max (16 cores) |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($350) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) / 10 nm) | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 3 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-13790F | M4 Max (16 cores) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($350) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-13790F and M4 Max (16 cores)
Core i7-13790F
The Core i7-13790F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 February 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 33 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 43,549 points. Launch price was $441.
M4 Max (16 cores)
The M4 Max (16 cores) is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 30 October 2024 (1 year ago). It features 16 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.75 GHz, with boost up to 4.51 GHz. Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 4 MB. Memory support: LPDDR5X. Passmark benchmark score: 43,985 points. Launch price was $499.
Processing Power
The Core i7-13790F packs 16 cores / 24 threads, matching the M4 Max (16 cores)'s 16 cores. Boost clocks reach 5.2 GHz on the Core i7-13790F versus 4.51 GHz on the M4 Max (16 cores) — a 14.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-13790F (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.75 GHz). The Core i7-13790F is built on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i7-13790F scores 43,549 against the M4 Max (16 cores)'s 43,985 — a 1% lead for the M4 Max (16 cores). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,815 vs 4,060, a 36.2% lead for the M4 Max (16 cores) that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 13,673 vs 26,675 (64.4% advantage for the M4 Max (16 cores)).
| Feature | Core i7-13790F | M4 Max (16 cores) |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 16 / 24 | 16 / 16 |
| Boost Clock | 5.2 GHz+15% | 4.51 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.1 GHz | 2.75 GHz+31% |
| L3 Cache | 33 MB (total) | — |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | — |
| Process | 10 nm | 3 nm-70% |
| Architecture | Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) | — |
| PassMark | 43,549 | 43,985+1% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 26,247 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,815 | 4,060+44% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 13,673 | 26,675+95% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-13790F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the M4 Max (16 cores) uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-5600 memory speed. The Core i7-13790F supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 40% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-13790F) vs 8 (M4 Max (16 cores)). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-13790F) vs 40 (M4 Max (16 cores)) — the M4 Max (16 cores) offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z790,B760 (Core i7-13790F) and Apple Silicon (M4 Max (16 cores)).
| Feature | Core i7-13790F | M4 Max (16 cores) |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 | none |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+25% | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-5600 | Unified Memory |
| Max RAM Capacity | 192 GB+50% | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 8+300% |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 40+150% |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i7-13790F supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-13790F) vs Apple Virtualization (M4 Max (16 cores)). The M4 Max (16 cores) includes integrated graphics (Apple 40-core GPU), while the Core i7-13790F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: M4 Max (16 cores) targets Professional Laptop. Direct competitor: M4 Max (16 cores) rivals Ryzen AI Max PRO 390.
| Feature | Core i7-13790F | M4 Max (16 cores) |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Apple 40-core GPU |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | Yes | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | Apple Virtualization |
| Target Use | — | Professional Laptop |
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