M4 (8 cores) 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.

M4 (8 cores) 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.

M4 (8 cores) 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.

M4 (8 cores)

2024

Why buy it

✅+17.4% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 4W instead of 65W, a 61W reduction.
✅Newer platform on none with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 3600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike M4 (8 cores).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (17,685 vs 20,761).
❌Launch MSRP is still $199 MSRP, while M4 (8 cores) mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌1525% higher power demand at 65W vs 4W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while M4 (8 cores) moves to none and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is M4 (8 cores) better than Ryzen 5 3600?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 5 3600 is ahead with a 14.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, M4 (8 cores) pulls ahead with 17.4% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, M4 (8 cores) is the stronger fit. You are getting 17.4% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

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

M4 (8 cores) is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 3600 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. M4 (8 cores) comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it still gives you 17.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Ryzen 5 3600 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 14.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 3600 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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?

M4 (8 cores) makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2019), a healthier platform with none and DDR5 instead of AM4, and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

M4 (8 cores) vs Ryzen 5 3600 Technical Specifications

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

M4 (8 cores)

The M4 (8 cores) is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 28 October 2024 (1 year ago). It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.89 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 4 MB. Memory support: LPDDR5x. Passmark benchmark score: 20,761 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 M4 (8 cores) packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the M4 (8 cores) has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the M4 (8 cores) versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 4.9% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600 (base: 2.89 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Ryzen 5 3600 is built on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. In PassMark, the M4 (8 cores) scores 20,761 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 16% lead for the M4 (8 cores).

Feature	M4 (8 cores)	Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+33%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4 GHz	4.2 GHz+5%
Base Clock	2.89 GHz	3.6 GHz+25%
L3 Cache	—	32 MB (total)
L2 Cache	—	512K (per core)
Process	3 nm-57%	7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture	—	Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark	20,761+17%	17,685
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	9,500
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,295
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,898

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Memory & Platform

The M4 (8 cores) 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	M4 (8 cores)	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 (M4 (8 cores)) / Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.