M3 Pro 12-Core vs Ryzen 5 3600

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 12-Core 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.

M3 Pro 12-Core 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.

M3 Pro 12-Core

2023

Why buy it

✅+36.7% higher PassMark.
✅Newer platform on none with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike M3 Pro 12-Core.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (17,685 vs 24,170).
❌Launch MSRP is still $199 MSRP, while M3 Pro 12-Core mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while M3 Pro 12-Core moves to none and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 3600 better than M3 Pro 12-Core?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 5 3600 is ahead with a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, M3 Pro 12-Core pulls ahead with 36.7% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, M3 Pro 12-Core is the stronger fit. You are getting 36.7% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 12 threads.

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

Ryzen 5 3600 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 3600 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $199 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that M3 Pro 12-Core is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 36.7% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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, M3 Pro 12-Core 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?

M3 Pro 12-Core 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.

M3 Pro 12-Core vs Ryzen 5 3600 Technical Specifications

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

M3 Pro 12-Core

The M3 Pro 12-Core is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 30 October 2023 (2 years ago). It features 12 cores and 12 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: 24,170 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 M3 Pro 12-Core packs 12 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the M3 Pro 12-Core has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.06 GHz on the M3 Pro 12-Core versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 3.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600 (base: 2.748 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Ryzen 5 3600 is built on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. In PassMark, the M3 Pro 12-Core scores 24,170 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 31% lead for the M3 Pro 12-Core.

Feature	M3 Pro 12-Core	Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads	12 / 12+100%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.06 GHz	4.2 GHz+3%
Base Clock	2.748 GHz	3.6 GHz+31%
L3 Cache	—	32 MB (total)
L2 Cache	—	512K (per core)
Process	3 nm-57%	7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture	—	Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark	24,170+37%	17,685
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	9,500
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,295
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,898

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Memory & Platform

The M3 Pro 12-Core uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	M3 Pro 12-Core	Ryzen 5 3600
Socket	none	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	24

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (M3 Pro 12-Core) / Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.