M1 Max vs Ryzen 5 8645HS

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 8645HS 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 8645HS: 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

✅+200% larger total L3 cache (48 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Draws 28W instead of 45W, a 17W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 8645HS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (22,146 vs 22,257).

Ryzen 5 8645HS

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +19.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 48 MB).
❌60.7% higher power demand at 45W vs 28W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 8645HS better than M1 Max?

Yes. Ryzen 5 8645HS is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 19.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.5% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 5 8645HS is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 19.1% 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, Ryzen 5 8645HS is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Ryzen 5 8645HS still makes the most sense overall. Ryzen 5 8645HS comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 19.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Ryzen 5 8645HS makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2021) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 10/10. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

M1 Max vs Ryzen 5 8645HS 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 8645HS

The Ryzen 5 8645HS is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Hawk Point-HS (Zen 4) (2023−2024) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 4.3 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 22,257 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The M1 Max packs 10 cores / 10 threads, while the Ryzen 5 8645HS offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the M1 Max has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.22 GHz on the M1 Max versus 5 GHz on the Ryzen 5 8645HS — a 43.3% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 8645HS (base: 2.06 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The Ryzen 5 8645HS is built on the Hawk Point-HS (Zen 4) (2023−2024) architecture. In PassMark, the M1 Max scores 22,146 against the Ryzen 5 8645HS's 22,257 — a 0.5% lead for the Ryzen 5 8645HS. L3 cache: 48 MB on the M1 Max vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 8645HS.

Feature	M1 Max	Ryzen 5 8645HS
Cores / Threads	10 / 10+67%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	3.22 GHz	5 GHz+55%
Base Clock	2.06 GHz	4.3 GHz+109%
L3 Cache	48 MB+200%	16 MB (total)
L2 Cache	28 MB+2700%	1 MB (per core)
Process	5 nm	4 nm-20%
Architecture	—	Hawk Point-HS (Zen 4) (2023−2024)
PassMark	22,146	22,257
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	13,316
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,574
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	10,675

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Memory & Platform

The M1 Max uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 5 8645HS uses FP8 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR5-6400 on the M1 Max versus LPDDR5x-7500 on the Ryzen 5 8645HS — the Ryzen 5 8645HS supports 17.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 5 8645HS supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (M1 Max) vs 2 (Ryzen 5 8645HS). PCIe lanes: 0 (M1 Max) vs 20 (Ryzen 5 8645HS) — the Ryzen 5 8645HS offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	M1 Max	Ryzen 5 8645HS
Socket	none	FP8
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR5-6400	LPDDR5x-7500+17%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	256 GB+300%
RAM Channels	8+300%	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	0	20

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Ryzen 5 8645HS supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: ARM-V (M1 Max) vs AMD-V (SVM) (Ryzen 5 8645HS). Both include integrated graphics — M1 Max GPU (M1 Max) and Radeon 760M (Ryzen 5 8645HS) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: M1 Max targets Mobile Workstation, Ryzen 5 8645HS targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 8645HS rivals Core i5-13500H.