M4 Pro (12 cores) vs Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX

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 Threadripper PRO 3945WX 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 Threadripper PRO 3945WX: 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

✅+2.2% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅Draws 4W instead of 280W, a 276W reduction.
✅Newer platform on none with DDR5 support instead of sWRX8 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with M4 Pro 16-core GPU, while Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Laptop Integrated), unlike Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX, which brings 12 cores / 24 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 12 cores / 24 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 0.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (18,500 vs 18,904).
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,149 MSRP, while M4 Pro (12 cores) mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌6900% higher power demand at 280W vs 4W.
❌Older platform position on sWRX8 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 Threadripper PRO 3945WX?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while M4 Pro (12 cores) is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

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 2.2% better Cinebench R23 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 Threadripper PRO 3945WX 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 $1,149 MSRP, and it still gives you 2.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. The compromise is that Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 14.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (29.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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 2020), a healthier platform with none and DDR5 instead of sWRX8, 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 Threadripper PRO 3945WX 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 Threadripper PRO 3945WX

The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX 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 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 4 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: 33,455 points. Launch price was $499.

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Processing Power

The M4 Pro (12 cores) packs 12 cores / 12 threads, matching the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX's 12 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.51 GHz on the M4 Pro (12 cores) versus 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX — a 4.8% clock advantage for the M4 Pro (12 cores) (base: 2.592 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX is built on the Castle Peak (2020) architecture. In PassMark, the M4 Pro (12 cores) scores 32,853 against the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX's 33,455 — a 1.8% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 18,904 vs 18,500 (2.2% advantage for the M4 Pro (12 cores)). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 3,812 vs 1,652, a 79.1% lead for the M4 Pro (12 cores) that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 20,076 vs 11,500 (54.3% advantage for the M4 Pro (12 cores)).

Feature	M4 Pro (12 cores)	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX
Cores / Threads	12 / 12	12 / 24
Boost Clock	4.51 GHz+5%	4.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.592 GHz	4 GHz+54%
L3 Cache	—	64 MB
L2 Cache	4 MB+700%	512 kB (per core)
Process	3 nm-57%	7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture	—	Castle Peak (2020)
PassMark	32,853	33,455+2%
Cinebench R23 Multi	18,904+2%	18,500
Geekbench 6 Single	3,812+131%	1,652
Geekbench 6 Multi	20,076+75%	11,500

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Memory & Platform

The M4 Pro (12 cores) uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX uses sWRX8 (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 Threadripper PRO 3945WX — the M4 Pro (12 cores) supports 150% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX supports up to 2048 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 3100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (M4 Pro (12 cores)) vs 8 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX). PCIe lanes: 0 (M4 Pro (12 cores)) vs 128 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX) — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX offers 128 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Apple SoC (M4 Pro (12 cores)) and WRX80 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX).

Feature	M4 Pro (12 cores)	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX
Socket	none	sWRX8
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR5x-8000+150%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	2048 GB+3100%
RAM Channels	1	8+700%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	0	128

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Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX 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 Threadripper PRO 3945WX). The M4 Pro (12 cores) includes integrated graphics (M4 Pro 16-core GPU), while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: M4 Pro (12 cores) targets High-end Content Creation, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX targets Professional Workstation. Direct competitor: M4 Pro (12 cores) rivals Ryzen 9 8945HS; Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX rivals Xeon w5-2455X.

Feature	M4 Pro (12 cores)	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	M4 Pro 16-core GPU	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	Apple Virtualization	AMD-V
Target Use	High-end Content Creation	Professional Workstation