Apple M3 Max 16-Core vs EPYC 9684X
Aggregate performance score
EPYC 9684X outperforms Apple M3 Max 16-Core by a whopping 194% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing EPYC 9684X and M3 Max 16-Core processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in the ranking | 5 | 194 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Market segment | Server | Laptop |
| Series | no data | Apple M3 |
| Power efficiency | 17.99 | 31.36 |
| Architecture codename | Genoa-X (2023) | no data |
| Release date | 13 June 2023 (1 year ago) | 30 October 2023 (1 year ago) |
| Launch price (MSRP) | $14,756 | no data |
Cost-effectiveness evaluation
Performance per price, higher is better.
Detailed specifications
EPYC 9684X and M3 Max 16-Core 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 | 96 | 16 (Hexadeca-Core) |
| Threads | 192 | 16 |
| Base clock speed | 2.55 GHz | 2.748 GHz |
| Boost clock speed | 3.7 GHz | 4.06 GHz |
| L1 cache | 64 KB (per core) | no data |
| L2 cache | 1 MB (per core) | no data |
| L3 cache | 1152 MB (shared) | no data |
| Chip lithography | 5 nm | 3 nm |
| Die size | 12x 72 mm2 | no data |
| Number of transistors | 135,240 million | 92000 Million |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
Compatibility
Information on EPYC 9684X and M3 Max 16-Core 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 | 2 | no data |
| Socket | SP5 | no data |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 400 Watt | 78 Watt |
Technologies and extensions
Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by EPYC 9684X and M3 Max 16-Core. 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 EPYC 9684X and M3 Max 16-Core are enumerated here.
| AMD-V | + | - |
Memory specs
Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by EPYC 9684X and M3 Max 16-Core. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
| Supported memory types | DDR5 | no data |
Graphics specifications
General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.
| Integrated graphics card | N/A | Apple M3 Max 40-Core GPU |
Peripherals
Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by EPYC 9684X and M3 Max 16-Core.
| PCIe version | 5.0 | no data |
| PCI Express lanes | 128 | 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 | 76.02 | 25.85 |
| Recency | 13 June 2023 | 30 October 2023 |
| Physical cores | 96 | 16 |
| Threads | 192 | 16 |
| Chip lithography | 5 nm | 3 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 400 Watt | 78 Watt |
EPYC 9684X has a 194.1% higher aggregate performance score, and 500% more physical cores and 1100% more threads.
Apple M3 Max 16-Core, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 4 months, a 66.7% more advanced lithography process, and 412.8% lower power consumption.
The EPYC 9684X is our recommended choice as it beats the M3 Max 16-Core in performance tests.
Be aware that EPYC 9684X is a server/workstation processor while Apple M3 Max 16-Core is a notebook one.
Should you still have questions on choice between EPYC 9684X and Apple M3 Max 16-Core, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
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