Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 vs Core i7-9700K
Ryzen AI Max PRO 390
Core i7-9700K
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen AI Max PRO 390
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-9700K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($600) | ✅ More affordable ($200) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Strix Halo (2025) / 4 nm) | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+0%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($600) | ✅ More affordable ($200) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 and Core i7-9700K
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.
Core i7-9700K
The Core i7-9700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,397 points. Launch price was $374.
Processing Power
The Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 packs 12 cores / 24 threads, while the Core i7-9700K offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K — a 2% clock advantage for the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 uses the Strix Halo (2025) architecture (4 nm), while the Core i7-9700K uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 scores 43,174 against the Core i7-9700K's 14,397 — a 100% lead for the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390. L3 cache: 64 MB (total) on the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K.
| Feature | Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 12 / 24+50% | 8 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 5 GHz+2% | 4.9 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.2 GHz | 3.6 GHz+12% |
| L3 Cache | 64 MB (total)+433% | 12 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core)+300% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 4 nm-71% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Strix Halo (2025) | Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) |
| PassMark | 43,174+200% | 14,397 |
Memory & Platform
The Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 uses the FP11 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i7-9700K uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 8000 on the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K — the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 supports 199.8% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 of RAM. Memory channels: 4 (Ryzen AI Max PRO 390) vs 2 (Core i7-9700K). PCIe lanes: 28 (Ryzen AI Max PRO 390) vs 16 (Core i7-9700K) — the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Strix Halo (Ryzen AI Max PRO 390) and Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K).
| Feature | Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FP11 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0+33% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 8000+199900% | DDR4-2666 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 | 128 GB+104857500% |
| RAM Channels | 4+100% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 28+75% | 16 |
Advanced Features
Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V (Ryzen AI Max PRO 390) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K). Both include integrated graphics — AMD Radeon 8050S (Ryzen AI Max PRO 390) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-9700K) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 rivals Apple M4 Max.
| Feature | Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | AMD Radeon 8050S | UHD Graphics 630 |
| Unlocked | Yes | Yes |
| AVX-512 | Yes | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 launched at $600 MSRP, while the Core i7-9700K debuted at $385. At current prices ($600 vs $200), the Core i7-9700K is $400 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 delivers 72.0 pts/$ vs 72.0 pts/$ for the Core i7-9700K — making the Core i7-9700K the 0% better value option.
| Feature | Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $600 | $385-36% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $600 | $200-67% |
| Performance per Dollar | 72.0 | 72.0 |
| Release Date | 2025 | 2018 |
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