Ryzen AI Max 390 vs M3 Max 16-Core

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar M3 Max 16-Core

#210

M3 Max 16-Core

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Ryzen AI Max 390 delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the M3 Max 16-Core in both compute-intensive tasks (1.4% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Ryzen AI Max 390	M3 Max 16-Core
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	✨ Modern (Strix Halo (2025) / 4 nm)	✨ Modern (Legacy / 3 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Ryzen AI Max 390	M3 Max 16-Core
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

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.

Ryzen AI Max 390 Benchmark Check

M3 Max 16-Core Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen AI Max 390 and M3 Max 16-Core

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.

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 Ryzen AI Max 390 packs 12 cores / 24 threads, while the M3 Max 16-Core offers 16 cores / 16 threads — the M3 Max 16-Core has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Ryzen AI Max 390 versus 4.06 GHz on the M3 Max 16-Core — a 20.8% clock advantage for the Ryzen AI Max 390 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.748 GHz). The Ryzen AI Max 390 is built on the Strix Halo (2025) architecture. In PassMark, the Ryzen AI Max 390 scores 41,834 against the M3 Max 16-Core's 41,257 — a 1.4% lead for the Ryzen AI Max 390.

Feature	Ryzen AI Max 390	M3 Max 16-Core
Cores / Threads	12 / 24	16 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	5 GHz+23%	4.06 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+16%	2.748 GHz
L3 Cache	64 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	—
Process	4 nm	3 nm-25%
Architecture	Strix Halo (2025)	—
PassMark	41,834+1%	41,257

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen AI Max 390 uses the FP11 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the M3 Max 16-Core uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 8000 on the Ryzen AI Max 390 versus 6400 on the M3 Max 16-Core — the Ryzen AI Max 390 supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 of RAM. Both feature 4-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 28 (Ryzen AI Max 390) vs 0 (M3 Max 16-Core) — the Ryzen AI Max 390 offers 28 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Strix Halo (Ryzen AI Max 390) and Apple M3 (M3 Max 16-Core).

Feature	Ryzen AI Max 390	M3 Max 16-Core
Socket	FP11	none
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	8000+25%	6400
Max RAM Capacity	128	128
RAM Channels	4	4
ECC Support	✅	❌
PCIe Lanes	28	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen AI Max 390 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Ryzen AI Max 390 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V (Ryzen AI Max 390) vs VT-x, VT-d (macOS) (M3 Max 16-Core). Both include integrated graphics — AMD Radeon 8050S (Ryzen AI Max 390) and Apple M3 Max GPU (40-core) (M3 Max 16-Core) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Ryzen AI Max 390 rivals Apple M4 Max; M3 Max 16-Core rivals Core i9-13950HX.