Ryzen 5 5600X vs M4 Pro (12 cores)
Ryzen 5 5600X
M4 Pro (12 cores)
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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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 5 5600X
Performance Per Dollar M4 Pro (12 cores)
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Ryzen 5 5600X | M4 Pro (12 cores) |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($135) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) / 7 nm, 12 nm) | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 3 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Ryzen 5 5600X | M4 Pro (12 cores) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($135) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
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 Ryzen 5 5600X and M4 Pro (12 cores)
Ryzen 5 5600X
The Ryzen 5 5600X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 21,845 points. Launch price was $299.
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.
Processing Power
The Ryzen 5 5600X packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the M4 Pro (12 cores) offers 12 cores / 12 threads — the M4 Pro (12 cores) has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600X versus 4.51 GHz on the M4 Pro (12 cores) — a 2% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600X (base: 3.7 GHz vs 2.592 GHz). The Ryzen 5 5600X is built on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 5600X scores 21,845 against the M4 Pro (12 cores)'s 32,853 — a 40.3% lead for the M4 Pro (12 cores).
| Feature | Ryzen 5 5600X | M4 Pro (12 cores) |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 12 / 12+100% |
| Boost Clock | 4.6 GHz+2% | 4.51 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.7 GHz+43% | 2.592 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 32 MB | — |
| L2 Cache | 512K (per core) | 4 MB+700% |
| Process | 7 nm, 12 nm | 3 nm-57% |
| Architecture | Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) | — |
| PassMark | 21,845 | 32,853+50% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 18,904 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 3,812 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 20,076 |
Memory & Platform
The Ryzen 5 5600X uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the M4 Pro (12 cores) uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600X versus LPDDR5x-8000 on the M4 Pro (12 cores) — the M4 Pro (12 cores) supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 5 5600X supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Ryzen 5 5600X) vs 1 (M4 Pro (12 cores)). PCIe lanes: 24 (Ryzen 5 5600X) vs 0 (M4 Pro (12 cores)) — the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 5 5600X) and Apple SoC (M4 Pro (12 cores)).
| Feature | Ryzen 5 5600X | M4 Pro (12 cores) |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM4 | none |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-3200 | LPDDR5x-8000+25% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB+100% | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2+100% | 1 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 24 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Only the Ryzen 5 5600X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600X) vs Apple Virtualization (M4 Pro (12 cores)). The M4 Pro (12 cores) includes integrated graphics (M4 Pro 16-core GPU), while the Ryzen 5 5600X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5600X targets Desktop, M4 Pro (12 cores) targets High-end Content Creation. Direct competitor: M4 Pro (12 cores) rivals Ryzen 9 8945HS.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 5600X | M4 Pro (12 cores) |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | M4 Pro 16-core GPU |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | Apple Virtualization |
| Target Use | Desktop | High-end Content Creation |
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