Ryzen 9 9950X vs Apple M3 Max 16-Core

VS

Aggregate performance score

Apple M3 Max 16-Core
2023
16 cores / 16 threads, 78 Watt
25.85
Ryzen 9 9950X
2024
16 cores / 32 threads, 170 Watt
41.78
+61.6%

Ryzen 9 9950X outperforms Apple M3 Max 16-Core by an impressive 62% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing M3 Max 16-Core and Ryzen 9 9950X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking19458
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluationno data65.16
Market segmentLaptopDesktop processor
SeriesApple M3no data
Power efficiency31.3623.26
Architecture codenameno dataGranite Ridge (2024)
Release date30 October 2023 (1 year ago)15 August 2024 (less than a year ago)
Launch price (MSRP)no data$649

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

M3 Max 16-Core and Ryzen 9 9950X basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores16 (Hexadeca-Core)16 (Hexadeca-Core)
Threads1632
Base clock speed2.748 GHz4.3 GHz
Boost clock speed4.06 GHz5.7 GHz
L1 cacheno data80 KB (per core)
L2 cacheno data1 MB (per core)
L3 cacheno data64 MB (shared)
Chip lithography3 nm4 nm
Die sizeno data2x 70.6 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data95 °C
Number of transistors92000 Million16,630 million
64 bit support++
Unlocked multiplier-+

Compatibility

Information on M3 Max 16-Core and Ryzen 9 9950X compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configurationno data1
Socketno dataAM5
Power consumption (TDP)78 Watt170 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by M3 Max 16-Core and Ryzen 9 9950X. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsno dataSMT, AES, AVX, AVX2, AVX512, FMA3, MMX (+), SHA, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, SSE4A
AES-NI-+
AVX-+
Precision Boost 2no data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by M3 Max 16-Core and Ryzen 9 9950X are enumerated here.

AMD-V-+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by M3 Max 16-Core and Ryzen 9 9950X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesno dataDDR5

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card
Compare
Apple M3 Max 40-Core GPUAMD Radeon Graphics

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by M3 Max 16-Core and Ryzen 9 9950X.

PCIe versionno data5.0
PCI Express lanesno data24

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

Apple M3 Max 16-Core 25.85
Ryzen 9 9950X 41.78
+61.6%

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

Apple M3 Max 16-Core 41068
Ryzen 9 9950X 66361
+61.6%

Geekbench 5.5 Multi-Core

Apple M3 Max 16-Core 22938
Ryzen 9 9950X 23568
+2.7%

Geekbench 5.5 Single-Core

Apple M3 Max 16-Core 2325
Ryzen 9 9950X 2548
+9.6%

WebXPRT 3

Apple M3 Max 16-Core 421
+2.9%
Ryzen 9 9950X 409

CrossMark Overall

Apple M3 Max 16-Core 2042
Ryzen 9 9950X 2451
+20.1%

Geekbench 6.3 Multi-Core

Apple M3 Max 16-Core 21254
Ryzen 9 9950X 21383
+0.6%

Geekbench 6.3 Single-Core

Apple M3 Max 16-Core 3127
Ryzen 9 9950X 3408
+9%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 25.85 41.78
Recency 30 October 2023 15 August 2024
Threads 16 32
Chip lithography 3 nm 4 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 78 Watt 170 Watt

Apple M3 Max 16-Core has a 33.3% more advanced lithography process, and 117.9% lower power consumption.

Ryzen 9 9950X, on the other hand, has a 61.6% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 9 months, and 100% more threads.

The Ryzen 9 9950X is our recommended choice as it beats the M3 Max 16-Core in performance tests.

Be aware that Apple M3 Max 16-Core is a notebook processor while Ryzen 9 9950X is a desktop one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Apple M3 Max 16-Core and Ryzen 9 9950X, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

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Apple M3 Max 16-Core
M3 Max 16-Core
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
Ryzen 9 9950X

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Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


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Questions & comments

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