Core i9-13900HK vs M2 Max

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.

Core i9-13900HK

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 48 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $697 MSRP, while M2 Max mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌25% higher power demand at 45W vs 36W.

M2 Max

2023

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (48 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Draws 36W instead of 45W, a 9W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13900HK across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (26,824 vs 27,217).

Core i9-13900HK

2023

M2 Max

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (48 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Draws 36W instead of 45W, a 9W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 48 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $697 MSRP, while M2 Max mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌25% higher power demand at 45W vs 36W.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13900HK across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (26,824 vs 27,217).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-13900HK better than M2 Max?

Yes. Core i9-13900HK is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 11.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.5% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-13900HK is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 11.5% 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 i9-13900HK is the better fit. You are getting 1.5% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads.

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

Core i9-13900HK is the smarter buy today. Core i9-13900HK is at an unclear MSRP at $697 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you a 11.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (39.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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?

Core i9-13900HK is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 20 threads instead of 12/12. That extra compute headroom should age better as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

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.

Core i9-13900HK Benchmark Check

M2 Max Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i9-13900HK	M2 Max
1080p
low	262 FPS	189 FPS
medium	253 FPS	152 FPS
high	210 FPS	124 FPS
ultra	180 FPS	98 FPS
1440p
low	223 FPS	155 FPS
medium	192 FPS	121 FPS
high	154 FPS	94 FPS
ultra	135 FPS	76 FPS
4K
low	154 FPS	71 FPS
medium	132 FPS	59 FPS
high	101 FPS	46 FPS
ultra	90 FPS	38 FPS

Open Core i9-13900HK Open M2 Max

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i9-13900HK	M2 Max
1080p
low	636 FPS	505 FPS
medium	543 FPS	437 FPS
high	458 FPS	342 FPS
ultra	417 FPS	279 FPS
1440p
low	554 FPS	429 FPS
medium	492 FPS	379 FPS
high	416 FPS	306 FPS
ultra	357 FPS	240 FPS
4K
low	325 FPS	266 FPS
medium	296 FPS	239 FPS
high	279 FPS	210 FPS
ultra	246 FPS	173 FPS

Open Core i9-13900HK Open M2 Max

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i9-13900HK	M2 Max
1080p
low	648 FPS	671 FPS
medium	530 FPS	670 FPS
high	467 FPS	625 FPS
ultra	405 FPS	552 FPS
1440p
low	591 FPS	605 FPS
medium	491 FPS	483 FPS
high	427 FPS	444 FPS
ultra	370 FPS	388 FPS
4K
low	434 FPS	423 FPS
medium	374 FPS	329 FPS
high	339 FPS	292 FPS
ultra	290 FPS	234 FPS

Open Core i9-13900HK Open M2 Max

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i9-13900HK	M2 Max
1080p
low	680 FPS	671 FPS
medium	680 FPS	671 FPS
high	680 FPS	671 FPS
ultra	672 FPS	668 FPS
1440p
low	680 FPS	671 FPS
medium	680 FPS	663 FPS
high	626 FPS	569 FPS
ultra	552 FPS	489 FPS
4K
low	555 FPS	545 FPS
medium	504 FPS	486 FPS
high	451 FPS	427 FPS
ultra	394 FPS	368 FPS

Open Core i9-13900HK Open M2 Max

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i9-13900HK and M2 Max

Core i9-13900HK

The Core i9-13900HK is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200, LPDDR4x-4267. Passmark benchmark score: 27,217 points. Launch price was $697.

M2 Max

The M2 Max is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 17 January 2023 (2 years ago). It features 12 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.424 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 48 MB. L2 cache: 36 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 36 MB + 48 MB. Memory support: LPDDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 26,824 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-13900HK packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the M2 Max offers 12 cores / 12 threads — the Core i9-13900HK has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.4 GHz on the Core i9-13900HK versus 3.7 GHz on the M2 Max — a 37.4% clock advantage for the Core i9-13900HK (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.424 GHz). The Core i9-13900HK is built on the Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i9-13900HK scores 27,217 against the M2 Max's 26,824 — a 1.5% lead for the Core i9-13900HK. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-13900HK vs 48 MB on the M2 Max.

Feature	Core i9-13900HK	M2 Max
Cores / Threads	14 / 20+17%	12 / 12
Boost Clock	5.4 GHz+46%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+7%	2.424 GHz
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)	48 MB+100%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	36 MB+1700%
Process	Intel 7 nm	5 nm-29%
Architecture	Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024)	—
PassMark	27,217+1%	26,824
Geekbench 6 Single	2,629	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-13900HK uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the M2 Max uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-5200 memory speed. Both support up to 96 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 2 (Core i9-13900HK) vs 4 (M2 Max). PCIe lanes: 28 (Core i9-13900HK) vs 0 (M2 Max) — the Core i9-13900HK offers 28 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i9-13900HK	M2 Max
Socket	FCBGA1744	none
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5200	LPDDR5-6400
Max RAM Capacity	96 GB	96 GB
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	28	0

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Advanced Features

Only the Core i9-13900HK has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i9-13900HK supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-13900HK) vs Virtualization (M2 Max). Both include integrated graphics — Iris Xe Graphics 96EU (Core i9-13900HK) and Apple M2 Max GPU (M2 Max) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: M2 Max targets Mobile.