88

M4 Max Processor

Apple Silicon · 16C/16T

$3199

MSRP

62

Ryzen 7 5700X Processor

Zen 3 · 8C/16T · AM4

$299

MSRP

Our verdict

The M4 Max Processor takes the performance lead with a 42% higher overall score, driven by its 16 shader cores, 0 MB of memory, and 4,500 MHz TFLOPS of compute power. In gaming benchmarks at 1440p, it delivers roughly 3% more frames per second across demanding titles like Counter-Strike 2 1080p and Cyberpunk 2077 1080p.

However, the Ryzen 7 5700X Processor tells a compelling value story. At $299 versus the M4 Max Processor's $3199 price tag, it costs 970% less while delivering performance that's only 42% behind. Its 32 MB of memory is still more than enough for 1440p and even 4K gaming in most titles.

Our recommendation: for the majority of gamers targeting 1440p or even 4K with upscaling enabled, the Ryzen 7 5700X Processor is the smarter purchase. The M4 Max Processor only makes sense if you need the absolute maximum performance for native 4K ray tracing, professional 3D rendering, or AI workloads where the extra VRAM and compute power provide a tangible advantage.

Performance winner

M4 Max Processor

42% faster overall

Best value for money

Ryzen 7 5700X Processor

150% better value per dollar

M4 Max Processor best for

Power efficiency

42% faster overall

Memory

Max memory
128 GB
128 GB
Memory type
LPDDR5x-6400
DDR4-3200
Memory channels
Unified
2

Performance

Cores
16
8
Threads
16
16
Base clock
2,900 MHz
3,400 MHz
Boost clock
4,500 MHz
4,600 MHz
L2 cache
48 MB
4 MB
L3 cache
0 MB
32 MB
Process
3 nm
7 nm
Transistors
N/A
N/A

platform

Socket
SoC
AM4
PCIe
Integrated
PCIe 4.0
PCIe lanes
0
24
Integrated graphics
Apple GPU 40-core
None

Power

TDP
100W
65W
Max turbo power
100W
76W

Gaming benchmarks (avg FPS at 1080p)

Counter-Strike 2
275 fps
280 fps
Cyberpunk 2077
120 fps
125 fps
Hogwarts Legacy
105 fps
108 fps
Spider-Man 2
112 fps
118 fps
Starfield
80 fps
80 fps

Synthetic & compute benchmarks

Blender BMW
48 seconds
108 seconds
Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core
1,520 pts
650 pts
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
22,000 pts
9,500 pts
Handbrake 4K Encode
95 seconds
200 seconds
7-Zip Compression
132,000 MIPS
62,000 MIPS
Adobe Premiere Pro Export
35 seconds
70 seconds
Cinebench 2024 Single-Core
132 pts
88 pts
Geekbench 6 Single-Core
3,500 pts
1,900 pts

Frequently asked questions

Is the M4 Max Processor worth $2900 more than the Ryzen 7 5700X Processor?

It depends on your needs. The M4 Max Processor scores 88 overall vs 62 for the Ryzen 7 5700X Processor. If you need the extra performance for demanding tasks, the premium is justified. For most users gaming at 1440p or below, the Ryzen 7 5700X Processor offers better value.

Which GPU is better for 1440p gaming, the M4 Max Processor or Ryzen 7 5700X Processor?

The M4 Max Processor delivers higher frame rates at 1440p, but both GPUs handle 1440p gaming well. The M4 Max Processor provides more headroom for ray tracing and future titles, while the Ryzen 7 5700X Processor still maintains smooth gameplay in current games.

Can the Ryzen 7 5700X Processor handle 4K gaming?

The Ryzen 7 5700X Processor can handle 4K gaming in less demanding titles and with upscaling technologies like DLSS or FSR. For native 4K at ultra settings in demanding games, the M4 Max Processor is the better choice with its higher performance ceiling.

Which should I buy, the M4 Max Processor or Ryzen 7 5700X Processor?

Choose the Ryzen 7 5700X Processor if you want the best value for money and primarily game at 1080p or 1440p. Choose the M4 Max Processor if you need maximum performance, play at 4K, or do professional workloads like video editing and 3D rendering.

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