M4 Max (14 cores)
VS
Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

M4 Max (14 cores) vs Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

M4 Max (14 cores)

14 Cores14 Thrd4 WWMax: 4.51 GHz2024
VS
AMD

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

16 Cores32 Thrd280 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020

Performance Spectrum - CPU

About PassMark

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar M4 Max (14 cores)

#188
Core i7-10870H
MSRP: $417|Avg: N/A
131%
#203
M4 Max (14 cores)
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

#264
Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X
MSRP: $399|Avg: $180
112%
#266
EPYC 7C13
MSRP: $2000|Avg: $2000
110%
#267
Xeon Gold 6336Y
MSRP: $3245|Avg: N/A
109%
#268
Xeon w5-2565X
MSRP: $1389|Avg: $1389
109%
#269
Xeon Silver 4416+
MSRP: $1186|Avg: $1176
107%
#270
Xeon E-2176G
MSRP: $367|Avg: $405
107%
#271
EPYC 7401
MSRP: $1500|Avg: $450
106%
#274
EPYC 7313
MSRP: $1083|Avg: $764
103%
#275
Xeon w5-2455X
MSRP: $1039|Avg: $1049
103%
#276
Xeon w3-2425
MSRP: $529|Avg: $529
102%
#278
Xeon Gold 5416S
MSRP: $1445|Avg: N/A
101%
#279
Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX
MSRP: $1149|Avg: $1130
100%
#281
EPYC 7402P
MSRP: $1280|Avg: $1090
98%
#282
Xeon w5-3525
MSRP: $1339|Avg: $1392
97%
#283
Xeon W-1290T
MSRP: $546|Avg: $494
97%
#284
Xeon D-1581
MSRP: $400|Avg: $400
95%
#285
Xeon w5-3535X
MSRP: $1699|Avg: N/A
94%
#286
Xeon w5-2465X
MSRP: $1389|Avg: $1499
94%
#287
EPYC 9355P
MSRP: $2998|Avg: $3026
93%
#288
Xeon w7-2595X
MSRP: $2039|Avg: $1600
93%
#289
Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX
MSRP: $2899|Avg: $2699.99
93%
#290
Xeon Gold 5420+
MSRP: $1848|Avg: $1848
91%
#292
Xeon w7-2575X
MSRP: $1689|Avg: $1860
90%
#294
Xeon Gold 6444Y
MSRP: $3622|Avg: N/A
89%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Use Case Distinction: This is a comparison between a Professional Workstation processor ($1,130) and a Consumer Desktop CPU. The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX is engineered for massive parallel workloads (rendering, scientific simulations), offering significantly higher core counts.
InsightM4 Max (14 cores)Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($1,130)
Longevity
✨ Modern (Legacy / 3 nm)
✨ Modern (Castle Peak (2020) / 7 nm, 12 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The M4 Max (14 cores) ($0), however, is optimized for mixed workloads and gaming. For most users, it offers superior single-thread performance and responsiveness at a fraction of the cost ($1,130 less, 100% cheaper), making it the better choice for daily use and gaming.
InsightM4 Max (14 cores)Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($1,130)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of M4 Max (14 cores) and Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

M4 Max (14 cores)

The M4 Max (14 cores) is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 30 November 2024 (1 year ago). It features 14 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 2.59 GHz, with boost up to 4.51 GHz. Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 4 MB. Memory support: LPDDR5X. Passmark benchmark score: 38,558 points. Launch price was $499.

AMD

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 14 July 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Castle Peak (2020) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: sWRX8. Thermal design power (TDP): 280 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 39,929 points. Launch price was $1,149.

Processing Power

The M4 Max (14 cores) packs 14 cores / 14 threads, while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.51 GHz on the M4 Max (14 cores) versus 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX — a 4.8% clock advantage for the M4 Max (14 cores) (base: 2.59 GHz vs 3.9 GHz). The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX is built on the Castle Peak (2020) architecture. In PassMark, the M4 Max (14 cores) scores 38,558 against the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX's 39,929 — a 3.5% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX.

FeatureM4 Max (14 cores)Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX
Cores / Threads
14 / 14
16 / 32+14%
Boost Clock
4.51 GHz+5%
4.3 GHz
Base Clock
2.59 GHz
3.9 GHz+51%
L3 Cache
64 MB
L2 Cache
512 kB (per core)
Process
3 nm-57%
7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture
Castle Peak (2020)
PassMark
38,558
39,929+4%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The M4 Max (14 cores) uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX uses sWRX8 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 8533 on the M4 Max (14 cores) versus 3200 on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX — the M4 Max (14 cores) supports 90.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX supports up to 2048 of RAM compared to 128 176.5% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 0 (M4 Max (14 cores)) vs 8 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX). PCIe lanes: 0 (M4 Max (14 cores)) vs 128 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX) — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX offers 128 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Apple M4 (M4 Max (14 cores)) and WRX80 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX).

FeatureM4 Max (14 cores)Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX
Socket
none
sWRX8
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
8533+167%
3200
Max RAM Capacity
128
2048+1500%
RAM Channels
0
8
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
0
128
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (macOS) (M4 Max (14 cores)) vs VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX). The M4 Max (14 cores) includes integrated graphics (Apple M4 Max GPU (32-core)), while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: M4 Max (14 cores) rivals Ryzen AI Max PRO 390; Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX rivals Xeon Silver 4314.

FeatureM4 Max (14 cores)Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
Apple M4 Max GPU (32-core)
None
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d (macOS)
VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V