M3 Pro 11-Core vs Ryzen Z1 Extreme

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.

M3 Pro 11-Core vs Ryzen Z1 Extreme 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.

M3 Pro 11-Core vs Ryzen Z1 Extreme: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

M3 Pro 11-Core

2023

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Z1 Extreme across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Ryzen Z1 Extreme

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +25.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (24,668 vs 24,861).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Z1 Extreme better than M3 Pro 11-Core?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen Z1 Extreme is ahead with a 25.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, M3 Pro 11-Core pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, M3 Pro 11-Core is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 11 cores and 11 threads.

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

Ryzen Z1 Extreme still makes the most sense overall. Ryzen Z1 Extreme comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 25.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Ryzen Z1 Extreme is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

M3 Pro 11-Core vs Ryzen Z1 Extreme Technical Specifications

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

M3 Pro 11-Core

The M3 Pro 11-Core is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 30 October 2023 (2 years ago). It features 11 cores and 11 threads. Base frequency is 2.748 GHz, with boost up to 4.06 GHz. Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: none. Memory support: LPDDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 24,861 points. Launch price was $299.

Ryzen Z1 Extreme

The Ryzen Z1 Extreme is manufactured by AMD. It was released in Maio 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Phoenix (Zen 4) (2023) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 24,668 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Processing Power

The M3 Pro 11-Core packs 11 cores / 11 threads, while the Ryzen Z1 Extreme offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the M3 Pro 11-Core has 3 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.06 GHz on the M3 Pro 11-Core versus 5.1 GHz on the Ryzen Z1 Extreme — a 22.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen Z1 Extreme (base: 2.748 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Ryzen Z1 Extreme is built on the Phoenix (Zen 4) (2023) architecture. In PassMark, the M3 Pro 11-Core scores 24,861 against the Ryzen Z1 Extreme's 24,668 — a 0.8% lead for the M3 Pro 11-Core.

Feature	M3 Pro 11-Core	Ryzen Z1 Extreme
Cores / Threads	11 / 11+38%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.06 GHz	5.1 GHz+26%
Base Clock	2.748 GHz	3.3 GHz+20%
L3 Cache	—	16 MB (total)
L2 Cache	—	1 MB (per core)
Process	3 nm-25%	4 nm
Architecture	—	Phoenix (Zen 4) (2023)
PassMark	24,861	24,668

🧠

Memory & Platform

The M3 Pro 11-Core uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen Z1 Extreme uses FP8 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.