Core i9-12900KS vs Ryzen AI Max PRO 390

Core i9-12900KS vs Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 Performance Spectrum

Core i9-12900KS

16 / 24

43,528

+0.8%

43,174

0.0%

Ryzen Z2 Extreme

Ryzen 7 7840HS

Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375

Ryzen 7 9700X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen 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.

Core i9-12900KS 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.

Core i9-12900KS 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 i9-12900KS

2022

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (30 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 58.9 vs 72.0 PassMark/$ ($739 MSRP vs $600 MSRP).
❌172.7% higher power demand at 150W vs 55W.

Ryzen AI Max PRO 390

2025

Why buy it

✅+113.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 30 MB).
✅Costs $139 less on MSRP ($600 MSRP vs $739 MSRP).
✅Delivers 22.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 72.0 vs 58.9 PassMark/$ ($600 MSRP vs $739 MSRP).
✅Draws 55W instead of 150W, a 95W reduction.
✅40% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (43,174 vs 43,528).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-12900KS better than Ryzen AI Max PRO 390?

Yes. Core i9-12900KS is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.8% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-12900KS is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.9% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-12900KS is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 24 threads.

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

Core i9-12900KS is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i9-12900KS comes in 23.2% more expensive on MSRP at $739 MSRP versus $600 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 0.9% in the shared gaming data.

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

Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2022) and 113.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 30 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-12900KS vs Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-12900KS

The Core i9-12900KS is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.3 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 43,528 points. Launch price was $499.

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 i9-12900KS packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Core i9-12900KS has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.3 GHz on the Core i9-12900KS versus 5 GHz on the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 — a 5.8% clock advantage for the Core i9-12900KS (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i9-12900KS uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 uses Strix Halo (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-12900KS scores 43,528 against the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390's 43,174 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i9-12900KS. L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900KS vs 64 MB (total) on the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390.

Feature	Core i9-12900KS	Ryzen AI Max PRO 390
Cores / Threads	16 / 24+33%	12 / 24
Boost Clock	5.3 GHz+6%	5 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+6%	3.2 GHz
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)	64 MB (total)+113%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+25%	1 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	4 nm-43%
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Strix Halo (2025)
PassMark	43,528	43,174
Cinebench R23 Multi	27,796	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,082	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-12900KS uses the LGA1700 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 Core i9-12900KS versus 8000 on the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 — the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 supports 66.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 2 (Core i9-12900KS) vs 4 (Ryzen AI Max PRO 390). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i9-12900KS) vs 28 (Ryzen AI Max PRO 390) — the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: LGA1700 (Core i9-12900KS) and Strix Halo (Ryzen AI Max PRO 390).

Feature	Core i9-12900KS	Ryzen AI Max PRO 390
Socket	LGA1700	FP11
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	8000+67%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	28+40%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-12900KS) vs VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V (Ryzen AI Max PRO 390). Both include integrated graphics — UHD 770 (Core i9-12900KS) and AMD Radeon 8050S (Ryzen AI Max PRO 390) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 rivals Apple M4 Max.

Feature	Core i9-12900KS	Ryzen AI Max PRO 390
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD 770	AMD Radeon 8050S
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-12900KS was priced at $739, while the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 came in at $600. On launch pricing ($739 vs $600), Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 was $139 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-12900KS delivers 58.9 pts/$ vs 72.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 — making the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 the 20% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-12900KS	Ryzen AI Max PRO 390
MSRP	$739	$600-19%
Performance per Dollar	58.9	72.0+22%
Release Date	2022	2025

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