Apple M3 Max 16-Core vs Ryzen 9 5900X

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Aggregate performance score

Ryzen 9 5900X
2020
12 cores / 24 threads, 105 Watt
25.32
+15.9%
Apple M3 Max 16-Core
2023
16 cores / 1612 x 4.1 GHz Apple M3 P-Core4 x 2.7 GHz Apple M3 E-Core threads, 78 Watt
21.84

Ryzen 9 5900X outperforms Apple M3 Max 16-Core by a moderate 16% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Ryzen 9 5900X and Apple M3 Max 16-Core processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking174224
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation70.48no data
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
SeriesAMD Ryzen 9Apple M3
Architecture codenameVermeer (Zen3) (2020)no data
Release date5 November 2020 (3 years ago)30 October 2023 (less than a year ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$549no data
Current price$300 (0.5x MSRP)no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Ryzen 9 5900X and Apple 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 cores12 (Dodeca-Core)16 (Hexadeca-Core)
Threads241612 x 4.1  GHz Apple M3 P-Core4 x 2.7  GHz Apple M3 E-Core
Base clock speed3.7 GHz2.748 GHz
Boost clock speed4.8 GHz4.06 GHz
L1 cache64K (per core)no data
L2 cache512K (per core)no data
L3 cache64 MBno data
Chip lithography7 nm3 nm
Die size2x 80.7 + 125 (I/O) mm2no data
Maximum case temperature (TCase)95 °Cno data
Number of transistorsno data92000 Million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility+no data
Unlocked multiplierYesNo

Compatibility

Information on Ryzen 9 5900X and Apple 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 configuration1no data
SocketAM4no data
Power consumption (TDP)105 Watt78 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Ryzen 9 5900X and Apple M3 Max 16-Core. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions86x MMX(+), SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, SSE4A,-64, AMD-V, AES, AVX, AVX2, FMA3, SHA, Precision Boost 2no data
AES-NI+no data
AVX+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Ryzen 9 5900X and Apple M3 Max 16-Core are enumerated here.

AMD-V+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Ryzen 9 5900X and Apple M3 Max 16-Core. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4-3200no data
Maximum memory size128 GBno data
Max memory channels2no data
Maximum memory bandwidth51.196 GB/sno data
ECC memory support-no data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card-Apple M3 Max 40-Core GPU

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Ryzen 9 5900X and Apple M3 Max 16-Core.

PCIe version4.0no 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.

Ryzen 9 5900X 25.32
+15.9%
Apple M3 Max 16-Core 21.84

Ryzen 9 5900X outperforms Apple M3 Max 16-Core by 16% based on our aggregate benchmark results.


Cinebench 15 64-bit multi-core

Cinebench Release 15 Multi Core is a variant of Cinebench R15 which uses all the processor threads.

Benchmark coverage: 15%

Ryzen 9 5900X 2695
Apple M3 Max 16-Core 3264
+21.1%

Apple M3 Max 16-Core outperforms Ryzen 9 5900X by 21% in Cinebench 15 64-bit multi-core.

Cinebench 15 64-bit single-core

Cinebench R15 (standing for Release 15) is a benchmark made by Maxon, authors of Cinema 4D. It was superseded by later versions of Cinebench, which use more modern variants of Cinema 4D engine. The Single Core version (sometimes called Single-Thread) only uses a single processor thread to render a room full of reflective spheres and light sources.

Benchmark coverage: 15%

Ryzen 9 5900X 250
Apple M3 Max 16-Core 271
+8.4%

Apple M3 Max 16-Core outperforms Ryzen 9 5900X by 8% in Cinebench 15 64-bit single-core.

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 25.32 21.84
Recency 5 November 2020 30 October 2023
Physical cores 12 16
Threads 24 1612 x 4.1 GHz Apple M3 P-Core4 x 2.7 GHz Apple M3 E-Core
Chip lithography 7 nm 3 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 105 Watt 78 Watt

The Ryzen 9 5900X is our recommended choice as it beats the Apple M3 Max 16-Core in performance tests.

Note that Ryzen 9 5900X is a desktop processor while Apple M3 Max 16-Core is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Ryzen 9 5900X and Apple M3 Max 16-Core, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
Ryzen 9 5900X
Apple M3 Max 16-Core
M3 Max 16-Core

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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