M4 Max (16 cores) vs Ryzen AI Max PRO 390

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.

M4 Max (16 cores) 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.

M4 Max (16 cores) 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.

M4 Max (16 cores)

2024

Why buy it

✅+1.9% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 4W instead of 55W, a 51W reduction.
✅42.9% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 28) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Ryzen AI Max PRO 390

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +19.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (43,174 vs 43,985).
❌Launch MSRP is still $600 MSRP, while M4 Max (16 cores) mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌1275% higher power demand at 55W vs 4W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 better than M4 Max (16 cores)?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 is ahead with a 19.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, M4 Max (16 cores) pulls ahead with 1.9% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, M4 Max (16 cores) is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.9% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 16 threads.

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

Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 is the better buy right now. Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $600 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 19.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that M4 Max (16 cores) is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.9% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (72.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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 2024). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

M4 Max (16 cores) vs Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 Technical Specifications

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

M4 Max (16 cores)

The M4 Max (16 cores) is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 30 October 2024 (1 year ago). It features 16 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.75 GHz, with boost up to 4.51 GHz. Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 4 MB. Memory support: LPDDR5X. Passmark benchmark score: 43,985 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.

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Processing Power

The M4 Max (16 cores) packs 16 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the M4 Max (16 cores) has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.51 GHz on the M4 Max (16 cores) versus 5 GHz on the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 — a 10.3% clock advantage for the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 (base: 2.75 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 is built on the Strix Halo (2025) architecture. In PassMark, the M4 Max (16 cores) scores 43,985 against the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390's 43,174 — a 1.9% lead for the M4 Max (16 cores).

Feature	M4 Max (16 cores)	Ryzen AI Max PRO 390
Cores / Threads	16 / 16+33%	12 / 24
Boost Clock	4.51 GHz	5 GHz+11%
Base Clock	2.75 GHz	3.2 GHz+16%
L3 Cache	—	64 MB (total)
L2 Cache	—	1 MB (per core)
Process	3 nm-25%	4 nm
Architecture	—	Strix Halo (2025)
PassMark	43,985+2%	43,174
Geekbench 6 Single	4,060	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	26,675	—

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Memory & Platform

The M4 Max (16 cores) uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 uses FP11 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to Unified Memory memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 8 (M4 Max (16 cores)) vs 4 (Ryzen AI Max PRO 390). PCIe lanes: 40 (M4 Max (16 cores)) vs 28 (Ryzen AI Max PRO 390) — the M4 Max (16 cores) offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Apple Silicon (M4 Max (16 cores)) and Strix Halo (Ryzen AI Max PRO 390).

Feature	M4 Max (16 cores)	Ryzen AI Max PRO 390
Socket	none	FP11
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	Unified Memory	8000
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	8+100%	4
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	40+43%	28

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Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: Apple Virtualization (M4 Max (16 cores)) vs VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V (Ryzen AI Max PRO 390). Both include integrated graphics — Apple 40-core GPU (M4 Max (16 cores)) 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: M4 Max (16 cores) targets Professional Laptop. Direct competitor: M4 Max (16 cores) rivals Ryzen AI Max PRO 390; Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 rivals Apple M4 Max.

Feature	M4 Max (16 cores)	Ryzen AI Max PRO 390
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Apple 40-core GPU	AMD Radeon 8050S
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	Apple Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V
Target Use	Professional Laptop	—