AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
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AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X vs Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)

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The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X is based on the Shimada Peak architecture and was developed for use in professional workstations.

Manufactured using the 4-nm process by AMD, this processor uses a high number of cores for complex computational processes. Technical features include a 24 MB L2 cache and a 128 MB L3 cache. With support for PCIe 5.0, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X offers a fast connection for external hardware.

In comparisons of single-core and multi-core performance, its processing power ranks behind the model from Apple. The hardware shows its strengths particularly in applications that benefit from a high cache capacity. The focus is on modularity and scalability for computationally intensive tasks in the desktop segment.

The Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU) is produced using the 3-nm process and is designed for users seeking high system integration.

This chip features the integrated Apple M5 Max (32 Core) graphics unit. With a memory bandwidth of 614 GB/s, the Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU) achieves very good AI performance. In comparisons of single-core and multi-core performance, the system achieves measurably higher results than the AMD model.

Thermal efficiency is high, which reduces power consumption by comparison. While the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X scores points for expandability, Apple offers an optimized overall system. In gaming scenarios, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X has the advantage due to the PCIe 5.0 interface for dedicated graphics cards, while the Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU) relies on its integrated graphics unit.

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

  • Shimada Peak architecture
  • PCIe 5.0 interface
  • 128 MB L3 cache
  • Manufactured in 4-nm process

Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)

  • 3-nm manufacturing technology
  • Memory bandwidth of 614 GB/s
  • Integrated Apple M5 Max (32 Core) graphics
  • High AI performance

Performance Overview
Average performance across multiple benchmarks

Single-core performance
Rank 2 - 71 %
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
Multi-core performance
Rank 2 - 87 %
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
Cinebench 2024 Single-Core

Cinebench 2024 Single-Core
Single-core performance

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X
24C / 48T · 5.40 GHz
131 pts
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
18C / 18T · 4.61 GHz
199 pts
Geekbench 6 Single-Core

Geekbench 6 Single-Core
Single-core performance

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X
24C / 48T · 5.40 GHz
3,220
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
18C / 18T · 4.61 GHz
4,250
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core

Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X
24C / 48T · 4.20 GHz
25,340
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
18C / 18T · 0.91 GHz
29,200

More benchmarks

At a glance

Wischen
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960XApple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
FamilyAMD Ryzen Threadripper (16)Apple M series (38)
CPU groupAMD Ryzen Threadripper 9000 (3)Apple M5 (6)
ArchitectureShimada Peak (Zen 5)M5
Technology4 nm3 nm
SegmentDesktopNotebook
SocketTRX50
PredecessorAMD Ryzen Threadripper 7960XApple M4 Max (14-CPU 32-GPU)
Successor

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

Wischen
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960XApple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
CPU Cores / Threads24 / 4818 / 18
Hyperthreading / SMT
Core architecturenormalhybrid (big.LITTLE)
Core Cluster 1: 24x Zen 5
4.20 - 5.40 GHz
6x Super-Core
0.91 - 4.61 GHz
Core Cluster 2: 12x Performance-Core
0.90 - 3.05 GHz
L2-Cache24.00 MB22.00 MB
L3-Cache128.00 MB
Overclocking

Integrated graphics (iGPU)

Wischen
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960XApple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
GPU nameno iGPUApple M5 Max (32 Core)
GPU frequency0.34 - 1.90 GHz
CUs / Shader / 512 / 4096
Raytracing
Max. displays4
Max. GPU Memory36 GB
Technology3 nm
Release dateQ1/2026

NPU AI performance

Wischen
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960XApple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
AI hardwareApple Neural Engine
AI specifications16 Neural cores @ 60 TOPS
NPU + CPU + iGPU

Memory & PCIe

Wischen
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960XApple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
MemoryDDR5-6400 (190.2 GB/s)
LPDDR5X-9600 (614.4 GB/s)
Max. Memory1024 GB36 GB
Memory channels48
ECCYesNo
PCIe5.0 x 885.0 x 8
PCIe Bandwidth346.5 GB/s31.5 GB/s

Thermal Management

Wischen
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960XApple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
TDP350 W60 W
TDP (PL2)
TDP up
TDP down
T. junction max.95 °C100 °C

Technical details

Wischen
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960XApple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
Chip designChipletMonolithic
AES-NI
Operating systemsWindows 11, LinuxmacOS, iPadOS
Instruction setx86-64 (64 bit)Armv9.2-A (64 bit)
ISA extensionsSSE4A, SSE4.2, SSSE3, AVX2, AVX512, FMA3Rosetta 2 x86-Emulation, AVX2, SME
Release dateQ3/2025Q1/2026
Release price
DocumentsTechnical data sheet

Your rating

Here you can rate one or both of the processors. The average rating of AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X is 1.2 stars (26 ratings), while Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU) has received 5.0 stars (82 ratings).

Click on the stars to rate one or both processors.

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X
24C / 48T · 4.20 - 5.40 GHz
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
18C / 18T · 0.91 - 4.61 GHz

Most popular CPUs in both categories

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X
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