Core i9-13950HX vs Ryzen AI Max 390

Core i9-13950HX vs Ryzen AI Max 390 Performance Spectrum

Core i9-13950HX

24 / 32

41,012

0.0%

41,834

+2.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX

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 i9-13950HX vs Ryzen AI Max 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 i9-13950HX vs Ryzen AI Max 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 i9-13950HX

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (41,012 vs 41,834).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (36 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $590 MSRP, while Ryzen AI Max 390 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Ryzen AI Max 390

2025

Why buy it

✅+2% higher PassMark.
✅+77.8% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 36 MB).
✅40% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13950HX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen AI Max 390 better than Core i9-13950HX?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-13950HX is ahead with a 9.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen AI Max 390 pulls ahead with 2% better PassMark. Ryzen AI Max 390 also has the bigger cache pool with 77.8% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 36 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen AI Max 390 is the stronger fit. You are getting 2% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 77.8% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 36 MB).

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

Ryzen AI Max 390 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Ryzen AI Max 390 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $590 MSRP, and it still gives you 2% better PassMark. Core i9-13950HX 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.

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

Ryzen AI Max 390 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2023), 77.8% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 36 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 24 threads instead of 24/32. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-13950HX vs Ryzen AI Max 390 Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-13950HX

The Core i9-13950HX 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 5.5 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: 41,012 points. Launch price was $590.

Ryzen AI Max 390

The Ryzen AI Max 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: 41,834 points. Launch price was $499.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-13950HX packs 24 cores / 32 threads, while the Ryzen AI Max 390 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Core i9-13950HX has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.5 GHz on the Core i9-13950HX versus 5 GHz on the Ryzen AI Max 390 — a 9.5% clock advantage for the Core i9-13950HX (base: 2.2 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i9-13950HX uses the Raptor Lake-HX (2023) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen AI Max 390 uses Strix Halo (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-13950HX scores 41,012 against the Ryzen AI Max 390's 41,834 — a 2% lead for the Ryzen AI Max 390. L3 cache: 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-13950HX vs 64 MB (total) on the Ryzen AI Max 390.

Feature	Core i9-13950HX	Ryzen AI Max 390
Cores / Threads	24 / 32+100%	12 / 24
Boost Clock	5.5 GHz+10%	5 GHz
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	3.2 GHz+45%
L3 Cache	36 MB (total)	64 MB (total)+78%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+100%	1 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	4 nm-43%
Architecture	Raptor Lake-HX (2023)	Strix Halo (2025)
PassMark	41,012	41,834+2%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-13950HX uses the FCBGA1964 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen AI Max 390 uses FP11 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 5600 on the Core i9-13950HX versus 8000 on the Ryzen AI Max 390 — the Ryzen AI Max 390 supports 42.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i9-13950HX supports up to 192 of RAM compared to 128 — 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i9-13950HX) vs 4 (Ryzen AI Max 390). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i9-13950HX) vs 28 (Ryzen AI Max 390) — the Ryzen AI Max 390 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Raptor Lake-HX (Core i9-13950HX) and Strix Halo (Ryzen AI Max 390).

Feature	Core i9-13950HX	Ryzen AI Max 390
Socket	FCBGA1964	FP11
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	5600	8000+43%
Max RAM Capacity	192+50%	128
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 i9-13950HX) vs VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V (Ryzen AI Max 390). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics (Core i9-13950HX) and AMD Radeon 8050S (Ryzen AI Max 390) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i9-13950HX rivals M3 Max 16-Core; Ryzen AI Max 390 rivals Apple M4 Max.

Feature	Core i9-13950HX	Ryzen AI Max 390
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics	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 i9-13950HX was priced at $590, while the Ryzen AI Max 390 came in at $0. On launch pricing ($590 vs $0), Ryzen AI Max 390 was $590 cheaper.

Feature	Core i9-13950HX	Ryzen AI Max 390
MSRP	$590	$0-100%
Performance per Dollar	69.5	—
Release Date	2023	2025

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