M4 Pro (14 cores) vs Ryzen 9 3950X

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 (14 cores) vs Ryzen 9 3950X 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 (14 cores) vs Ryzen 9 3950X: 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 (14 cores)

2024

Why buy it

✅Draws 4W instead of 105W, a 101W reduction.
✅Newer platform on none with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Apple M4 Pro GPU (20-core), while Ryzen 9 3950X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 3950X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (38,127 vs 38,519).

Ryzen 9 3950X

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +29.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $749 MSRP, while M4 Pro (14 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 (14 cores) moves to none and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while M4 Pro (14 cores) can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 3950X better than M4 Pro (14 cores)?

Yes. Ryzen 9 3950X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 29.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1% 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 3950X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 29.2% 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 3950X is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads.

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

Ryzen 9 3950X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 9 3950X comes in at an unclear MSRP at $749 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 29.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (51.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible none + DDR5 setup, M4 Pro (14 cores) can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

M4 Pro (14 cores) makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2019) and a healthier platform with none and DDR5 instead of AM4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

M4 Pro (14 cores) vs Ryzen 9 3950X Technical Specifications

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

M4 Pro (14 cores)

The M4 Pro (14 cores) is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 30 October 2024 (1 year ago). It features 14 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 2.59 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 4 MB. Memory support: LPDDR5X. Passmark benchmark score: 38,127 points. Launch price was $499.

Ryzen 9 3950X

The Ryzen 9 3950X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 14 November 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 38,519 points. Launch price was $799.

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Processing Power

The M4 Pro (14 cores) packs 14 cores / 14 threads, while the Ryzen 9 3950X offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Ryzen 9 3950X has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the M4 Pro (14 cores) versus 4.7 GHz on the Ryzen 9 3950X — a 4.3% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 3950X (base: 2.59 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Ryzen 9 3950X is built on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. In PassMark, the M4 Pro (14 cores) scores 38,127 against the Ryzen 9 3950X's 38,519 — a 1% lead for the Ryzen 9 3950X.

Feature	M4 Pro (14 cores)	Ryzen 9 3950X
Cores / Threads	14 / 14	16 / 32+14%
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz	4.7 GHz+4%
Base Clock	2.59 GHz	3.5 GHz+35%
L3 Cache	—	64 MB
L2 Cache	—	512K (per core)
Process	3 nm-57%	7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture	—	Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark	38,127	38,519+1%

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Memory & Platform

The M4 Pro (14 cores) uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 9 3950X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 8533 on the M4 Pro (14 cores) versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 9 3950X — the M4 Pro (14 cores) supports 166.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 9 3950X supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 0 (M4 Pro (14 cores)) vs 2 (Ryzen 9 3950X). PCIe lanes: 0 (M4 Pro (14 cores)) vs 24 (Ryzen 9 3950X) — the Ryzen 9 3950X offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Apple M4 (M4 Pro (14 cores)) and X570,B550 (Ryzen 9 3950X).

Feature	M4 Pro (14 cores)	Ryzen 9 3950X
Socket	none	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	8533+167%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	0	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	24

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Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 9 3950X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (macOS) (M4 Pro (14 cores)) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 9 3950X). The M4 Pro (14 cores) includes integrated graphics (Apple M4 Pro GPU (20-core)), while the Ryzen 9 3950X requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: M4 Pro (14 cores) rivals Core Ultra 7 258V.