M3 Pro 12-Core vs Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U

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 7 PRO 8840U 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 7 PRO 8840U: 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

✅+1% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +25.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon 780M, while M3 Pro 12-Core needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (23,934 vs 24,170).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U better than M3 Pro 12-Core?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U is ahead with a 25.1% 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 1% 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 1% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 12 threads.

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

Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U still makes the most sense overall. Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 25.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2023). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

M3 Pro 12-Core vs Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U 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 7 PRO 8840U

The Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U 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 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: FP7. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 23,934 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The M3 Pro 12-Core packs 12 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the M3 Pro 12-Core has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.06 GHz on the M3 Pro 12-Core versus 5.1 GHz on the Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U — a 22.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U (base: 2.748 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U is built on the Hawk Point (2024−2025) architecture. In PassMark, the M3 Pro 12-Core scores 24,170 against the Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U's 23,934 — a 1% lead for the M3 Pro 12-Core.

Feature	M3 Pro 12-Core	Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U
Cores / Threads	12 / 12+50%	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	—	Hawk Point (2024−2025)
PassMark	24,170	23,934
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	13,450
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,400
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	9,500

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Memory & Platform

The M3 Pro 12-Core uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U uses FP7 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	M3 Pro 12-Core	Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U
Socket	none	FP7
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR5-5600
Max RAM Capacity	—	256 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	20

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (M3 Pro 12-Core) / AMD-V (Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U). The Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U includes integrated graphics (Radeon 780M), while the M3 Pro 12-Core requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U rivals Core Ultra 7 164U.