Page Index

Core i9-13900HX vs M3 Max 16-Core

CPUCPUGPUGPU
Intel

Core i9-13900HX

24 Cores32 Thrd55 WWMax: 5.4 GHz2023

Popular choices:

•••••••••
VS

M3 Max 16-Core

16 Cores16 Thrd−WMax: 4.06 GHz2023

Popular choices:

•••••••••

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i9-13900HX
24 / 32
42,437
+2.9%
brand logoXeon W-1290E
brand logoXeon W-1370P
brand logoCore i5-14500HX
brand logoCore i9-12900HX
brand logoCore i5-13600K
brand logoXeon W-3365
brand logoXeon w9-3575X
brand logoXeon w9-3495X
M3 Max 16-Core
16 / 16
41,257
0.0%

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.

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 i9-13900HX

2023

Why buy it

  • ✅Better for gaming: +4.5% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • ✅Includes a boxed cooler (Laptop Integrated), unlike M3 Max 16-Core.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

M3 Max 16-Core

2023

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13900HX across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • ❌Lower PassMark (41,257 vs 42,437).
    • ❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i9-13900HX.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Core i9-13900HX better than M3 Max 16-Core?
    Yes. Core i9-13900HX is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 4.5% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data, 2.9% 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 i9-13900HX is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 4.5% more average FPS across 3 shared CPU game tests.
    Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
    For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-13900HX is the better fit. You are getting 2.9% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 32 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Core i9-13900HX still looks like the safer overall buy. Core i9-13900HX is at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you a 4.5% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    Core i9-13900HX is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 24 cores / 32 threads instead of 16/16. 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.

    Path of Exile 2

    Path of Exile 2

    PresetCore i9-13900HXM3 Max 16-Core
    1080p
    low321 FPS183 FPS
    medium311 FPS146 FPS
    high247 FPS120 FPS
    ultra209 FPS94 FPS
    1440p
    low278 FPS146 FPS
    medium240 FPS115 FPS
    high178 FPS92 FPS
    ultra158 FPS72 FPS
    4K
    low192 FPS67 FPS
    medium164 FPS56 FPS
    high123 FPS45 FPS
    ultra112 FPS35 FPS
    Open Core i9-13900HXOpen M3 Max 16-Core
    Counter-Strike 2

    Counter-Strike 2

    PresetCore i9-13900HXM3 Max 16-Core
    1080p
    low401 FPS399 FPS
    medium350 FPS339 FPS
    high286 FPS293 FPS
    ultra252 FPS258 FPS
    1440p
    low341 FPS353 FPS
    medium306 FPS309 FPS
    high255 FPS271 FPS
    ultra207 FPS232 FPS
    4K
    low191 FPS256 FPS
    medium174 FPS230 FPS
    high166 FPS210 FPS
    ultra145 FPS185 FPS
    Open Core i9-13900HXOpen M3 Max 16-Core
    League of Legends

    League of Legends

    PresetCore i9-13900HXM3 Max 16-Core
    1080p
    low762 FPS913 FPS
    medium626 FPS749 FPS
    high543 FPS676 FPS
    ultra467 FPS605 FPS
    1440p
    low680 FPS642 FPS
    medium567 FPS526 FPS
    high485 FPS467 FPS
    ultra423 FPS408 FPS
    4K
    low497 FPS462 FPS
    medium430 FPS364 FPS
    high383 FPS320 FPS
    ultra329 FPS258 FPS
    Open Core i9-13900HXOpen M3 Max 16-Core
    Valorant

    Valorant

    PresetCore i9-13900HXM3 Max 16-Core
    1080p
    low1012 FPS914 FPS
    medium905 FPS825 FPS
    high792 FPS717 FPS
    ultra704 FPS621 FPS
    1440p
    low840 FPS715 FPS
    medium739 FPS625 FPS
    high646 FPS540 FPS
    ultra568 FPS469 FPS
    4K
    low620 FPS494 FPS
    medium555 FPS443 FPS
    high491 FPS396 FPS
    ultra430 FPS342 FPS
    Open Core i9-13900HXOpen M3 Max 16-Core
    Check FPS for your specific build

    Technical Specifications

    Side-by-side comparison of Core i9-13900HX and M3 Max 16-Core

    Intel

    Core i9-13900HX

    The Core i9-13900HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-HX (2023) architecture. It features 24 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1964. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 42,437 points. Launch price was $668.

    M3 Max 16-Core

    The M3 Max 16-Core is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 30 October 2023 (2 years ago). It features 16 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.748 GHz, with boost up to 4.06 GHz. Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: none. Memory support: LPDDR5, LPDDR5X. Passmark benchmark score: 41,257 points. Launch price was $499.

    ⚡

    Processing Power

    The Core i9-13900HX packs 24 cores / 32 threads, while the M3 Max 16-Core offers 16 cores / 16 threads — the Core i9-13900HX has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.4 GHz on the Core i9-13900HX versus 4.06 GHz on the M3 Max 16-Core — a 28.3% clock advantage for the Core i9-13900HX (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.748 GHz). The Core i9-13900HX is built on the Raptor Lake-HX (2023) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i9-13900HX scores 42,437 against the M3 Max 16-Core's 41,257 — a 2.8% lead for the Core i9-13900HX.

    FeatureCore i9-13900HXM3 Max 16-Core
    Cores / Threads
    24 / 32+50%
    16 / 16
    Boost Clock
    5.4 GHz+33%
    4.06 GHz
    Base Clock
    2.2 GHz
    2.748 GHz+25%
    L3 Cache
    36 MB (total)
    —
    L2 Cache
    2 MB (per core)
    —
    Process
    Intel 7 nm
    3 nm-57%
    Architecture
    Raptor Lake-HX (2023)
    —
    PassMark
    42,437+3%
    41,257
    Cinebench R23 Multi
    29,493
    —
    Geekbench 6 Single
    2,878
    —
    Geekbench 6 Multi
    14,944
    —
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Core i9-13900HX uses the FCBGA1964 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the M3 Max 16-Core uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200 on the Core i9-13900HX versus 6400 on the M3 Max 16-Core — the M3 Max 16-Core supports 199.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i9-13900HX supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 — 40% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i9-13900HX) vs 4 (M3 Max 16-Core). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i9-13900HX) vs 0 (M3 Max 16-Core) — the Core i9-13900HX offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM770,WM790 (Core i9-13900HX) and Apple M3 (M3 Max 16-Core).

    FeatureCore i9-13900HXM3 Max 16-Core
    Socket
    FCBGA1964
    none
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 5.0+25%
    PCIe 4.0
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200
    6400+127900%
    Max RAM Capacity
    192 GB+157286300%
    128
    RAM Channels
    2
    4+100%
    ECC Support
    Yes
    No
    PCIe Lanes
    20
    0
    🔧

    Advanced Features

    Only the Core i9-13900HX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i9-13900HX) vs VT-x, VT-d (macOS) (M3 Max 16-Core). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 770 (Core i9-13900HX) and Apple M3 Max GPU (40-core) (M3 Max 16-Core) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-13900HX targets Performance Gaming / Mobile Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i9-13900HX rivals Ryzen 9 7945HX; M3 Max 16-Core rivals Core i9-13950HX.

    FeatureCore i9-13900HXM3 Max 16-Core
    Integrated GPU
    Yes
    Yes
    IGPU Model
    UHD Graphics 770
    Apple M3 Max GPU (40-core)
    Unlocked
    Yes
    No
    AVX-512
    No
    No
    Virtualization
    VT-x, VT-d, EPT
    VT-x, VT-d (macOS)
    Target Use
    Performance Gaming / Mobile Workstation
    —