Core i7-9700K
Ryzen AI Max PRO 390
Core i7-9700K vs Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 Performance Spectrum
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 390 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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Among Us
Apex Legends
ARC Raiders
Baldur's Gate 3
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Core i7-9700K vs Ryzen AI Max PRO 390: 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
2018Why buy it
- ✅Costs $215 less on MSRP ($385 MSRP vs $600 MSRP).
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower PassMark (14,397 vs 43,174).
- ❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 64 MB).
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 37.4 vs 72.0 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $600 MSRP).
- ❌72.7% higher power demand at 95W vs 55W.
Ryzen AI Max PRO 390
2025Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +13.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅+433.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 12 MB).
- ✅Delivers 92.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 72.0 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($600 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
- ❌55.8% HIGHER MSRP$600 MSRPvs$385 MSRP
Quick Answers
So, is Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 better than Core i7-9700K?
Which one is better for gaming?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i7-9700K vs Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 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 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 Core i7-9700K packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K versus 5 GHz on the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 — a 2% clock advantage for the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i7-9700K uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 uses Strix Halo (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700K scores 14,397 against the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390's 43,174 — a 100% lead for the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K vs 64 MB (total) on the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390.
| Feature | Core i7-9700K | Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 8 | 12 / 24+50% |
| Boost Clock | 4.9 GHz | 5 GHz+2% |
| Base Clock | 3.6 GHz+12% | 3.2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB (total) | 64 MB (total)+433% |
| 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 | 43,174+200% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-9700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 uses FP11 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K versus 8000 on the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 — the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 supports 200.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-9700K) vs 4 (Ryzen AI Max PRO 390). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-9700K) vs 28 (Ryzen AI Max PRO 390) — the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K) and Strix Halo (Ryzen AI Max PRO 390).
| Feature | Core i7-9700K | Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | FP11 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 4.0+33% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2666 | 8000+200% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 4+100% |
| ECC Support | No | Yes |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 28+75% |
Advanced Features
Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K) vs VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V (Ryzen AI Max PRO 390). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-9700K) and AMD Radeon 8050S (Ryzen AI Max PRO 390) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 rivals Apple M4 Max.
| Feature | Core i7-9700K | Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | UHD Graphics 630 | AMD Radeon 8050S |
| Unlocked | Yes | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V |
| Target Use | Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
At launch, the Core i7-9700K was priced at $385, while the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 came in at $600. On launch pricing ($385 vs $600), Core i7-9700K was $215 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700K delivers 37.4 pts/$ vs 72.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 — making the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 the 63.2% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-9700K | Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $385-36% | $600 |
| Performance per Dollar | 37.4 | 72.0+93% |
| Release Date | 2018 | 2025 |
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