Ryzen Threadripper 3990X vs Apple M5 Pro 18-Core
Aggregate performance score
Ryzen Threadripper 3990X outperforms M5 Pro 18-Core by a considerable 40% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Contents
Primary details
Comparing processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in the ranking | 177 | 75 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Cost-effectiveness evaluation | no data | 5.44 |
| Market segment | Laptop | Desktop processor |
| Series | no data | AMD Ryzen Threadripper |
| Power efficiency | no data | 6.88 |
| Designer | Apple | AMD |
| Manufacturer | no data | TSMC |
| Architecture codename | no data | Matisse (2019−2020) |
| Release date | 3 March 2026 (less than a year ago) | 7 February 2020 (6 years ago) |
| Launch price (MSRP) | no data | $3,999 |
Cost-effectiveness evaluation
Performance per price, higher is better.
Performance to price scatter graph
Currently popular graphics cards are shown for comparison.
Detailed specifications
Basic parameters of M5 Pro 18-Core and Ryzen Threadripper 3990X: 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 | 18 (Octadeca-Core) | 64 (Tetrahexaconta-Core) |
| Threads | 18 | 128 |
| Base clock speed | 3.048 GHz | 2.9 GHz |
| Boost clock speed | 4.61 GHz | 4.3 GHz |
| Multiplier | no data | 29 |
| L1 cache | no data | 96K (per core) |
| L2 cache | 32 MB | 512K (per core) |
| L3 cache | 24 MB | 256 MB |
| Chip lithography | 3 nm | 7 nm, 12 nm |
| Die size | no data | 74 mm2 |
| Maximum case temperature (TCase) | no data | 95 °C |
| Number of transistors | no data | 3,800 million |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
| Windows 11 compatibility | no data | + |
| Unlocked multiplier | - | + |
Compatibility
Information on M5 Pro 18-Core and Ryzen Threadripper 3990X 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 | no data | 1 |
| Socket | no data | TR4 |
| Power consumption (TDP) | no data | 280 Watt |
Technologies and extensions
Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by M5 Pro 18-Core and Ryzen Threadripper 3990X. 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 M5 Pro 18-Core and Ryzen Threadripper 3990X are enumerated here.
| AMD-V | - | + |
Memory specs
Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by M5 Pro 18-Core and Ryzen Threadripper 3990X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
| Supported memory types | no data | DDR4-3200 |
| Maximum memory size | no data | 256 GB |
| Max memory channels | no data | 4 |
| Maximum memory bandwidth | no data | 102.403 GB/s |
| ECC memory support | - | + |
Peripherals
Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by M5 Pro 18-Core and Ryzen Threadripper 3990X.
| PCIe version | no data | 4.0 |
Synthetic benchmarks
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.
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. Other than that, Passmark measures multi-core performance.
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 33.02 | 46.17 |
| Recency | 3 March 2026 | 7 February 2020 |
| Physical cores | 18 | 64 |
| Threads | 18 | 128 |
| Chip lithography | 3 nm | 7 nm |
Apple M5 Pro 18-Core has an age advantage of 6 years, and a 133% more advanced lithography process.
Ryzen Threadripper 3990X, on the other hand, has a 40% higher aggregate performance score, and 256% more physical cores and 611% more threads.
The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X is our recommended choice as it beats the Apple M5 Pro 18-Core in performance tests.
Be aware that Apple M5 Pro 18-Core is a notebook processor while Ryzen Threadripper 3990X is a desktop one.
Other comparisons
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