Core i7-9700K vs Ryzen AI Max PRO 380

CPU

GPU

Core i7-9700K

8 Cores8 Thrd95 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2018

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Ryzen AI Max PRO 380

6 Cores12 Thrd55 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2025

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Core i7-9700K vs Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 Performance Spectrum

Core i7-9700K

8 / 8

14,397

0.0%

24,613

+71.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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.

Core i7-9700K vs Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i7-9700K vs Ryzen AI Max PRO 380: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i7-9700K

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $15 less on MSRP ($385 MSRP vs $400 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (14,397 vs 24,613).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 37.4 vs 61.5 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $400 MSRP).
❌72.7% higher power demand at 95W vs 55W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 moves to FP11 and DDR5.

Ryzen AI Max PRO 380

2025

Why buy it

✅+71% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Delivers 64.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 61.5 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($400 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
✅Draws 55W instead of 95W, a 40W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FP11 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌
3.9% HIGHER MSRP
$400 MSRPvs$385 MSRP
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 better than Core i7-9700K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-9700K is ahead with a 8.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 pulls ahead with 71% better PassMark. Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 is the stronger fit. You are getting 71% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 is the better buy right now. Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 comes in 3.9% more expensive on MSRP at $400 MSRP versus $385 MSRP, and it still gives you 71% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-9700K is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 8.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 64.5% better value on MSRP (61.5 vs 37.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2018), a healthier platform with FP11 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151, 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 8/8. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-9700K vs Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i7-9700K

The Core i7-9700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,397 points. Launch price was $374.

Ryzen AI Max PRO 380

The Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 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 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 16 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: 24,613 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-9700K packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-9700K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K versus 4.9 GHz on the Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i7-9700K uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 uses Strix Halo (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700K scores 14,397 against the Ryzen AI Max PRO 380's 24,613 — a 52.4% lead for the Ryzen AI Max PRO 380. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen AI Max PRO 380.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Ryzen AI Max PRO 380
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+33%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz	4.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	16 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	4 nm-71%
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Strix Halo (2025)
PassMark	14,397	24,613+71%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 uses FP11 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Ryzen AI Max PRO 380
Socket	LGA1151	FP11
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K) / not specified (Ryzen AI Max PRO 380). The Core i7-9700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Ryzen AI Max PRO 380
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-9700K was priced at $385, while the Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 came in at $400. On launch pricing ($385 vs $400), Core i7-9700K was $15 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700K delivers 37.4 pts/$ vs 61.5 pts/$ for the Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 — making the Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 the 48.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Ryzen AI Max PRO 380
MSRP	$385-4%	$400
Performance per Dollar	37.4	61.5+64%
Release Date	2018	2025

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