M2 Pro vs Ryzen 5 3600

CPU

GPU

M2 Pro

12 Cores12 Thrd36 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2023

Similar parts

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Ryzen 5 3600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019

Ryzen family

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M2 Pro vs Ryzen 5 3600 Performance Spectrum

M2 Pro

12 / 12

21,939

+24.1%

Ryzen 5 3600

6 / 12

17,685

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

About PassMark

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.

M2 Pro vs Ryzen 5 3600 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.

M2 Pro vs Ryzen 5 3600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

M2 Pro

2023

Why buy it

✅+661.3% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Draws 36W instead of 65W, a 29W reduction.
✅Newer platform on none with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Apple M2 Pro GPU, while Ryzen 5 3600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 3600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 32 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 24 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike M2 Pro.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (1,898 vs 14,450).
❌Launch MSRP is still $199 MSRP, while M2 Pro mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌80.6% higher power demand at 65W vs 36W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while M2 Pro moves to none and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while M2 Pro can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is M2 Pro better than Ryzen 5 3600?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 5 3600 is ahead with a 6.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, M2 Pro pulls ahead with 661.3% better Geekbench multi-core. Ryzen 5 3600 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 24 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, M2 Pro is the stronger fit. You are getting 661.3% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 12 cores and 12 threads.

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

M2 Pro is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 3600 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. M2 Pro comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it still gives you 661.3% better Geekbench multi-core. The compromise is that Ryzen 5 3600 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 6.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 3600 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 5 3600 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?

M2 Pro makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2019), a healthier platform with none and DDR5 instead of AM4, and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

M2 Pro vs Ryzen 5 3600 Technical Specifications

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

M2 Pro

The M2 Pro is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 17 January 2023 (2 years ago). It features 12 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.42 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB. L2 cache: 36 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 36 MB + 24 MB. Memory support: LPDDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 21,939 points. Launch price was $299.

Ryzen 5 3600

The Ryzen 5 3600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 17,685 points. Launch price was $199.

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Processing Power

The M2 Pro packs 12 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the M2 Pro has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the M2 Pro versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 18.2% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600 (base: 2.42 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Ryzen 5 3600 is built on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. In PassMark, the M2 Pro scores 21,939 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 21.5% lead for the M2 Pro. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,650 vs 1,295, a 68.7% lead for the M2 Pro that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 14,450 vs 1,898 (153.6% advantage for the M2 Pro). L3 cache: 24 MB on the M2 Pro vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	M2 Pro	Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads	12 / 12+100%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	4.2 GHz+20%
Base Clock	2.42 GHz	3.6 GHz+49%
L3 Cache	24 MB	32 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	36 MB	512K (per core)+1322%
Process	5 nm-29%	7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture	—	Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark	21,939+24%	17,685
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	9,500
Geekbench 6 Single	2,650+105%	1,295
Geekbench 6 Multi	14,450+661%	1,898

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Memory & Platform

The M2 Pro uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR5-6400 on the M2 Pro versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600 — the M2 Pro supports 100% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 5 3600 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (M2 Pro) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) — the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Apple Silicon (M2 Pro) and AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600).

Feature	M2 Pro	Ryzen 5 3600
Socket	none	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR5-6400+100%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	128 GB+300%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	24

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Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 3600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: ARM Virtualization (M2 Pro) vs Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). The M2 Pro includes integrated graphics (Apple M2 Pro GPU), while the Ryzen 5 3600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: M2 Pro targets Professional Laptop, Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

Feature	M2 Pro	Ryzen 5 3600
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Apple M2 Pro GPU	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	ARM Virtualization	Yes
Target Use	Professional Laptop	Gaming/Budget Workstation