M1 Pro vs Ryzen 7 2700X

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 Pro vs Ryzen 7 2700X 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 Pro vs Ryzen 7 2700X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

M1 Pro

2021

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Draws 28W instead of 105W, a 77W reduction.
✅Newer platform on none with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 2700X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (17,218 vs 17,450).

Ryzen 7 2700X

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +20.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $329 MSRP, while M1 Pro mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌275% higher power demand at 105W vs 28W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while M1 Pro moves to none and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 2700X better than M1 Pro?

Yes. Ryzen 7 2700X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 20.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 7 2700X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 20.4% 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 7 2700X is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Ryzen 7 2700X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 2700X comes in at an unclear MSRP at $329 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 20.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (53.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible none + DDR5 setup, M1 Pro can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

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

M1 Pro makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2018), a healthier platform with none and DDR5 instead of AM4, and 50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

M1 Pro vs Ryzen 7 2700X Technical Specifications

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

M1 Pro

The M1 Pro is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 18 October 2021 (4 years ago). It features 10 cores and 10 threads. Base frequency is 2.064 GHz, with boost up to 3.22 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB. L2 cache: 28 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 MB + 24 MB. Memory support: LPDDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 17,218 points. Launch price was $299.

Ryzen 7 2700X

The Ryzen 7 2700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 19 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Zen+ (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.35 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 17,450 points. Launch price was $329.

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Processing Power

The M1 Pro packs 10 cores / 10 threads, while the Ryzen 7 2700X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the M1 Pro has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.22 GHz on the M1 Pro versus 4.35 GHz on the Ryzen 7 2700X — a 29.9% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 2700X (base: 2.064 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Ryzen 7 2700X is built on the Zen+ (2018−2019) architecture. In PassMark, the M1 Pro scores 17,218 against the Ryzen 7 2700X's 17,450 — a 1.3% lead for the Ryzen 7 2700X. L3 cache: 24 MB on the M1 Pro vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 2700X.

Feature	M1 Pro	Ryzen 7 2700X
Cores / Threads	10 / 10+25%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	3.22 GHz	4.35 GHz+35%
Base Clock	2.064 GHz	3.7 GHz+79%
L3 Cache	24 MB+50%	16 MB (total)
L2 Cache	28 MB	512K (per core)+1729%
Process	5 nm-58%	12 nm
Architecture	—	Zen+ (2018−2019)
PassMark	17,218	17,450+1%