M1 Max vs Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U

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 PRO 8640U 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 PRO 8640U: 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).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with M1 Max GPU, while Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (22,146 vs 22,373).

Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +17.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 48 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while M1 Max can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U better than M1 Max?

Yes. Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 17.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1% 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 PRO 8640U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 17.7% 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 PRO 8640U is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U still makes the most sense overall. Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 17.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 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 PRO 8640U 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 PRO 8640U

The Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 16 April 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Hawk Point (2024−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP7. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 22,373 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The M1 Max packs 10 cores / 10 threads, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the M1 Max has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.22 GHz on the M1 Max versus 4.9 GHz on the Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U — a 41.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U (base: 2.06 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U is built on the Hawk Point (2024−2025) architecture. In PassMark, the M1 Max scores 22,146 against the Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U's 22,373 — a 1% lead for the Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U. L3 cache: 48 MB on the M1 Max vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U.

Feature	M1 Max	Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U
Cores / Threads	10 / 10+67%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	3.22 GHz	4.9 GHz+52%
Base Clock	2.06 GHz	3.5 GHz+70%
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 (2024−2025)
PassMark	22,146	22,373+1%

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Memory & Platform

The M1 Max uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U uses FP7 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	M1 Max	Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U
Socket	none	FP7
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 PRO 8640U). The M1 Max includes integrated graphics (M1 Max GPU), while the Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: M1 Max targets Mobile Workstation.