Core i9-13900KS
24C/32T · 6.0 GHz · 150 W · PassMark #170
Apple M4 Max
16C CPU · 40C GPU · 16-core Neural Engine
Apple M4 Max takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Core i9-13900KS lands at 33 and Apple M4 Max at 97. That puts Apple M4 Max ahead by 64 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Core i9-13900KS if…
- ✓PassMark #170 of 5,901 — capable workhorse
- ✓Current PassMark-tracked street price around $521
Pick Apple M4 Max if…
- ✓Industry-best perf-per-watt
- ✓128 GB unified memory option
- ✓Hardware ray-tracing
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testValue for money
Apple M4 MaxSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Apple M4 Max more score per dollar ($1,299 vs $521).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Core i9-13900KS | Apple M4 Max |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | ▲ 24 (8P + 16E) | 16 (12P+4E) |
| Threads | ▲ 32 | 16 |
| Base clock | 3.2 GHz (P) / 2.4 GHz (E) | — |
| Boost clock | 6.0 GHz | — |
| L3 cache | 36 MB | — |
| TDP | 150 W base / 253 W max | — |
| Socket | LGA 1700 | — |
| Class | Desktop | — |
| PassMark rank | #170 of 5,901 | — |
| PassMark CPU Mark | 60,485 | — |
| Memory bandwidth | — | 546 GB/s |
| Neural engine | — | 16-core, 38 TOPS |
| Process | — | TSMC N3E |
| Max memory | — | 128 GB unified |
Core i9-13900KS
- +PassMark #170 of 5,901 — capable workhorse
- +Current PassMark-tracked street price around $521
- −Requires recent-generation motherboard and DDR5 memory
- −Newer-generation parts pull ahead in current rankings
Apple M4 Max
- +Industry-best perf-per-watt
- +128 GB unified memory option
- +Hardware ray-tracing
- −Apple ecosystem lock-in
- −Not user-replaceable
- −Limited Windows gaming
FAQ: Core i9-13900KS vs Apple M4 Max
Which is better, Core i9-13900KS or Apple M4 Max? +
Apple M4 Max scores 97 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 64. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Core i9-13900KS worth the price? +
At $521, Core i9-13900KS delivers a Specdex score of 33 — strongest in passmark.
Is Apple M4 Max worth the price? +
At $1,299, Apple M4 Max delivers a Specdex score of 97 — strongest in efficiency.
Does Core i9-13900KS or Apple M4 Max last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is the better value, Core i9-13900KS or Apple M4 Max? +
Apple M4 Max — more score per dollar ($1,299 vs $521). Specdex score per dollar at MSRP.