Apple M5 Max vs Ryzen Threadripper 9980X
Aggregate performance score
Ryzen Threadripper 9980X outperforms M5 Max by a whopping 149% 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 | 9 | 168 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Cost-effectiveness evaluation | 8.61 | no data |
| Market segment | Desktop processor | Laptop |
| Power efficiency | 9.84 | no data |
| Designer | AMD | Apple |
| Manufacturer | TSMC | no data |
| Architecture codename | Shimada Peak (2025) | no data |
| Release date | 30 July 2025 (less than a year ago) | 3 March 2026 (less than a year ago) |
| Launch price (MSRP) | $4,999 | no data |
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 Ryzen Threadripper 9980X and M5 Max: 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) | 18 (Octadeca-Core) |
| Threads | 128 | 18 |
| Base clock speed | 3.2 GHz | no data |
| Boost clock speed | 5.4 GHz | 4.61 GHz |
| L1 cache | 64 KB (per core) | no data |
| L2 cache | 1 MB (per core) | 32 MB |
| L3 cache | 256 MB (shared) | 24 MB |
| Chip lithography | 4 nm | 3 nm |
| Die size | 8x 70.6 mm2 | no data |
| Number of transistors | 66,520 million | no data |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
| Unlocked multiplier | + | - |
Compatibility
Information on Ryzen Threadripper 9980X and M5 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 | sTR5 | no data |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 350 Watt | no data |
Technologies and extensions
Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Ryzen Threadripper 9980X and M5 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 9980X and M5 Max are enumerated here.
| AMD-V | + | - |
Memory specs
Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Ryzen Threadripper 9980X and M5 Max. 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 | no data |
Peripherals
Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Ryzen Threadripper 9980X and M5 Max.
| PCIe version | 5.0 | no data |
| PCI Express lanes | 80 | no data |
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 | 82.65 | 33.24 |
| Recency | 30 July 2025 | 3 March 2026 |
| Physical cores | 64 | 18 |
| Threads | 128 | 18 |
| Chip lithography | 4 nm | 3 nm |
Ryzen Threadripper 9980X has a 149% higher aggregate performance score, and 256% more physical cores and 611% more threads.
Apple M5 Max, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 7 months, and a 33% more advanced lithography process.
The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is our recommended choice as it beats the Apple M5 Max in performance tests.
Note that Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is a desktop processor while Apple M5 Max is a notebook one.
Other comparisons
We've compiled a selection of CPU comparisons, ranging from closely matched processors to other comparisons that may be of interest.
