M1 Max vs Ryzen 5 7400

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

M1 Max vs Ryzen 5 7400 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

M1 Max vs Ryzen 5 7400: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

M1 Max

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (48 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Draws 28W instead of 65W, a 37W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with M1 Max GPU, while Ryzen 5 7400 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Ryzen 5 7400

2025

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than M1 Max across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (22,010 vs 22,146).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 48 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $229 MSRP, while M1 Max mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌132.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 28W.

Quick Answers

So, is M1 Max better than Ryzen 5 7400?

Yes. M1 Max is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.6% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, M1 Max is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.1% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, M1 Max is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 10 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 200% larger total L3 cache (48 MB vs 16 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

M1 Max is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 7400 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. M1 Max comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $229 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 7400 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (96.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM5 + DDR5 setup, Ryzen 5 7400 can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap, but on MSRP alone you would want to find it meaningfully cheaper in real-world listings before that path becomes easy to justify.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Ryzen 5 7400 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2021). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

M1 Max vs Ryzen 5 7400 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

M1 Max

The M1 Max is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 18 October 2021 (4 years ago). It features 10 cores and 10 threads. Base frequency is 2.06 GHz, with boost up to 3.22 GHz. L3 cache: 48 MB. L2 cache: 28 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 MB + 48 MB. Memory support: LPDDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 22,146 points. Launch price was $299.

Ryzen 5 7400

The Ryzen 5 7400 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 16 September 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Raphael (2023−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 22,010 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The M1 Max packs 10 cores / 10 threads, while the Ryzen 5 7400 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the M1 Max has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.22 GHz on the M1 Max versus 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen 5 7400 — a 28.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 7400 (base: 2.06 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Ryzen 5 7400 is built on the Raphael (2023−2025) architecture. In PassMark, the M1 Max scores 22,146 against the Ryzen 5 7400's 22,010 — a 0.6% lead for the M1 Max. L3 cache: 48 MB on the M1 Max vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 7400.

Feature	M1 Max	Ryzen 5 7400
Cores / Threads	10 / 10+67%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	3.22 GHz	4.3 GHz+34%
Base Clock	2.06 GHz	3.3 GHz+60%
L3 Cache	48 MB+200%	16 MB (total)
L2 Cache	28 MB+2700%	1 MB (per core)
Process	5 nm	5 nm
Architecture	—	Raphael (2023−2025)
PassMark	22,146	22,010

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Memory & Platform

The M1 Max uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 5 7400 uses AM5 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	M1 Max	Ryzen 5 7400
Socket	none	AM5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR5-6400	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	8	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	0	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: ARM-V (M1 Max) / not specified (Ryzen 5 7400). The M1 Max includes integrated graphics (M1 Max GPU), while the Ryzen 5 7400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: M1 Max targets Mobile Workstation.