M4 Pro (12 cores) vs Ryzen 9 3900X

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 Pro (12 cores) vs Ryzen 9 3900X 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 Pro (12 cores) vs Ryzen 9 3900X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

M4 Pro (12 cores)

2024

Why buy it

✅+67.3% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Draws 4W instead of 105W, a 101W reduction.
✅Newer platform on none with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with M4 Pro 16-core GPU, while Ryzen 9 3900X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 3900X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Ryzen 9 3900X

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +37.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (12,000 vs 20,076).
❌Launch MSRP is still $499 MSRP, while M4 Pro (12 cores) mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌2525% higher power demand at 105W vs 4W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while M4 Pro (12 cores) moves to none and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while M4 Pro (12 cores) can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is M4 Pro (12 cores) better than Ryzen 9 3900X?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 9 3900X is ahead with a 37.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, M4 Pro (12 cores) pulls ahead with 67.3% better Geekbench multi-core.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, M4 Pro (12 cores) is the stronger fit. You are getting 67.3% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 12 cores and 12 threads.

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

M4 Pro (12 cores) is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 9 3900X is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. M4 Pro (12 cores) comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $499 MSRP, and it still gives you 67.3% better Geekbench multi-core. The compromise is that Ryzen 9 3900X is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 37.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 9 3900X is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (65.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 9 3900X 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 Pro (12 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 12 cores / 12 threads instead of 12/24. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

M4 Pro (12 cores) vs Ryzen 9 3900X Technical Specifications

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

M4 Pro (12 cores)

The M4 Pro (12 cores) is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 30 October 2024 (1 year ago). It features 12 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.592 GHz, with boost up to 4.51 GHz. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 4 MB. Memory support: LPDDR5X. Passmark benchmark score: 32,853 points. Launch price was $499.

Ryzen 9 3900X

The Ryzen 9 3900X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 32,517 points. Launch price was $499.

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Processing Power

The M4 Pro (12 cores) packs 12 cores / 12 threads, matching the Ryzen 9 3900X's 12 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.51 GHz on the M4 Pro (12 cores) versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 9 3900X — a 2% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 3900X (base: 2.592 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Ryzen 9 3900X is built on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. In PassMark, the M4 Pro (12 cores) scores 32,853 against the Ryzen 9 3900X's 32,517 — a 1% lead for the M4 Pro (12 cores). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 3,812 vs 1,300, a 98.3% lead for the M4 Pro (12 cores) that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 20,076 vs 12,000 (50.4% advantage for the M4 Pro (12 cores)).

Feature	M4 Pro (12 cores)	Ryzen 9 3900X
Cores / Threads	12 / 12	12 / 24
Boost Clock	4.51 GHz	4.6 GHz+2%
Base Clock	2.592 GHz	3.8 GHz+47%
L3 Cache	—	64 MB
L2 Cache	4 MB	512K (per core)+12700%
Process	3 nm-57%	7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture	—	Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark	32,853+1%	32,517
Cinebench R23 Multi	18,904	—
Geekbench 6 Single	3,812+193%	1,300
Geekbench 6 Multi	20,076+67%	12,000

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Memory & Platform

The M4 Pro (12 cores) uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 9 3900X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR5x-8000 on the M4 Pro (12 cores) versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 9 3900X — the M4 Pro (12 cores) supports 150% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 9 3900X supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (M4 Pro (12 cores)) vs 2 (Ryzen 9 3900X). PCIe lanes: 0 (M4 Pro (12 cores)) vs 24 (Ryzen 9 3900X) — the Ryzen 9 3900X offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Apple SoC (M4 Pro (12 cores)) and X570,B550 (Ryzen 9 3900X).

Feature	M4 Pro (12 cores)	Ryzen 9 3900X
Socket	none	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR5x-8000+150%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	0	24

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Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 9 3900X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: Apple Virtualization (M4 Pro (12 cores)) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 9 3900X). The M4 Pro (12 cores) includes integrated graphics (M4 Pro 16-core GPU), while the Ryzen 9 3900X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: M4 Pro (12 cores) targets High-end Content Creation, Ryzen 9 3900X targets Workstation. Direct competitor: M4 Pro (12 cores) rivals Ryzen 9 8945HS.

Feature	M4 Pro (12 cores)	Ryzen 9 3900X
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	M4 Pro 16-core GPU	None
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	Apple Virtualization	AMD-V
Target Use	High-end Content Creation	Workstation