Apple M2 Max vs Ryzen Threadripper 3990X
Aggregate performance score
Ryzen Threadripper 3990X outperforms Apple M2 Max by a whopping 199% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing Ryzen Threadripper 3990X and M2 Max processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
Place in the ranking | 34 | 393 |
Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
Cost-effectiveness evaluation | 9.71 | no data |
Market segment | Desktop processor | Laptop |
Series | AMD Ryzen Threadripper | Apple M-Series |
Power efficiency | 17.00 | 20.14 |
Architecture codename | Matisse (2019−2020) | no data |
Release date | 25 November 2019 (5 years ago) | 17 January 2023 (1 year ago) |
Launch price (MSRP) | $3,999 | no data |
Cost-effectiveness evaluation
Performance per price, higher is better.
Detailed specifications
Ryzen Threadripper 3990X and M2 Max 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 cores | 64 (Tetrahexaconta-Core) | 12 (Dodeca-Core) |
Threads | 128 | 12 |
Base clock speed | 2.9 GHz | 2.424 GHz |
Boost clock speed | 4.3 GHz | 3.7 GHz |
Multiplier | 29 | no data |
L1 cache | 4 MB | 3.3 MB |
L2 cache | 32 MB | 36 MB |
L3 cache | 256 MB | 48 MB |
Chip lithography | 7 nm, 12 nm | 5 nm |
Die size | 74 mm2 | no data |
Maximum case temperature (TCase) | 95 °C | no data |
Number of transistors | 38740 Million | 67000 Million |
64 bit support | + | + |
Windows 11 compatibility | + | no data |
Unlocked multiplier | + | - |
Compatibility
Information on Ryzen Threadripper 3990X and M2 Max 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 configuration | 1 | no data |
Socket | TR4 | no data |
Power consumption (TDP) | 280 Watt | 79 Watt |
Technologies and extensions
Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3990X and M2 Max. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.
AES-NI | + | - |
AVX | + | - |
Precision Boost 2 | + | no data |
Virtualization technologies
Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3990X and M2 Max are enumerated here.
AMD-V | + | - |
Memory specs
Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3990X and M2 Max. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
Supported memory types | DDR4-3200 | no data |
Maximum memory size | 256 GB | no data |
Max memory channels | 4 | no data |
Maximum memory bandwidth | 102.403 GB/s | no data |
ECC memory support | + | - |
Graphics specifications
General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.
Integrated graphics card | - | Apple M2 Max 38-Core GPU |
Peripherals
Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3990X and M2 Max.
PCIe version | 4.0 | no data |
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.
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.
Pros & cons summary
Performance score | 50.29 | 16.81 |
Recency | 25 November 2019 | 17 January 2023 |
Physical cores | 64 | 12 |
Threads | 128 | 12 |
Chip lithography | 7 nm | 5 nm |
Power consumption (TDP) | 280 Watt | 79 Watt |
Ryzen Threadripper 3990X has a 199.2% higher aggregate performance score, and 433.3% more physical cores and 966.7% more threads.
Apple M2 Max, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 3 years, a 40% more advanced lithography process, and 254.4% lower power consumption.
The Ryzen Threadripper 3990X is our recommended choice as it beats the M2 Max in performance tests.
Note that Ryzen Threadripper 3990X is a desktop processor while Apple M2 Max is a notebook one.
Should you still have questions on choice between Ryzen Threadripper 3990X and Apple M2 Max, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
Similar processor comparisons
We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.