M3 Pro 12-Core vs Ryzen 9 6900HX

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 9 6900HX 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 9 6900HX: 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

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 6900HX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (24,170 vs 24,248).

Ryzen 9 6900HX

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 6900HX better than M3 Pro 12-Core?

Yes. Ryzen 9 6900HX is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 10.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 9 6900HX is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 10.5% 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 9 6900HX is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Ryzen 9 6900HX still makes the most sense overall. Ryzen 9 6900HX comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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 2022). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

M3 Pro 12-Core vs Ryzen 9 6900HX 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 9 6900HX

The Ryzen 9 6900HX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in Janeiro 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Rembrandt-H (Zen 3+) (2022) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 6 nm process technology. Socket: FP7. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 24,248 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The M3 Pro 12-Core packs 12 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 9 6900HX 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 4.9 GHz on the Ryzen 9 6900HX — a 18.8% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 6900HX (base: 2.748 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Ryzen 9 6900HX is built on the Rembrandt-H (Zen 3+) (2022) architecture. In PassMark, the M3 Pro 12-Core scores 24,170 against the Ryzen 9 6900HX's 24,248 — a 0.3% lead for the Ryzen 9 6900HX.

Feature	M3 Pro 12-Core	Ryzen 9 6900HX
Cores / Threads	12 / 12+50%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.06 GHz	4.9 GHz+21%
Base Clock	2.748 GHz	3.3 GHz+20%
L3 Cache	—	16 MB (total)
L2 Cache	—	512K (per core)
Process	3 nm-50%	6 nm
Architecture	—	Rembrandt-H (Zen 3+) (2022)
PassMark	24,170	24,248

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Memory & Platform

The M3 Pro 12-Core uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 9 6900HX uses FP7 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.