AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
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AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X vs Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)

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The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X utilizes the Shimada Peak architecture based on Zen 5 and is designed for professional workstations.

Production takes place using a 4-nanometer process. In benchmarks, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X delivers solid single-core performance, while in multi-core scenarios it reaches a performance level comparable to competitors. With PCIe 5.0 support and a large Level 3 cache of 128 MB, it is optimized for data-intensive tasks.

In gaming scenarios, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X offers advantages through the connection of dedicated graphics cards, although the focus is on applications. The thermal design power is designed for continuous use under load, which requires appropriate cooling. The price is based on the high computing power for the professional market, with the platform enabling long-term scalability through expansion cards.

The Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU) is a highly integrated processor for creative application areas, produced using a 3-nanometer process.

In single-core performance, the Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU) is significantly ahead of the competition, while multi-core performance acts on a similar level. Thanks to the integrated Apple M5 Max (32 Core) graphics unit and a memory bandwidth of 614 GB/s, the chip offers very good AI performance.

The architecture uses efficient Level 2 caches without a Level 3 cache. In terms of power consumption, the Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU) works extremely efficiently, which reduces the thermal load. Gaming remains a side issue due to the software platform. The price-performance ratio is tied to the closed ecosystem, with system integration guaranteeing high efficiency for specific workflows.

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X

  • Shimada Peak architecture with Zen 5 cores
  • Support for PCIe 5.0 and 128 MB L3 cache
  • Comparable multi-core performance for professional tasks
  • Expandability through dedicated hardware components

Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)

  • Production in the modern 3-nanometer process
  • High memory bandwidth of 614 GB/s
  • Integrated Apple M5 Max (32 Core) graphics for AI performance
  • High single-core performance with optimized energy efficiency

Performance Overview
Average performance across multiple benchmarks

Single-core performance
Rank 2 - 71 %
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
Multi-core performance
Rank 1 - 100 %
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
Cinebench 2024 Single-Core

Cinebench 2024 Single-Core
Single-core performance

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
32C / 64T · 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 9970X
32C / 64T · 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 9970X
32C / 64T · 4.00 GHz
29,244
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
18C / 18T · 0.91 GHz
29,200

More benchmarks

At a glance

Wischen
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970XApple 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 7970XApple M4 Max (14-CPU 32-GPU)
Successor

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

Wischen
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970XApple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
CPU Cores / Threads32 / 6418 / 18
Hyperthreading / SMT
Core architecturenormalhybrid (big.LITTLE)
Core Cluster 1: 32x Zen 5
4.00 - 5.40 GHz
6x Super-Core
0.91 - 4.61 GHz
Core Cluster 2: 12x Performance-Core
0.90 - 3.05 GHz
L2-Cache32.00 MB22.00 MB
L3-Cache128.00 MB
Overclocking

Integrated graphics (iGPU)

Wischen
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970XApple 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 9970XApple 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 9970XApple 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 9970XApple 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 9970XApple 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 9970X is 1.9 stars (31 ratings), while Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU) has received 4.9 stars (86 ratings).

Click on the stars to rate one or both processors.

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
32C / 64T · 4.00 - 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 9970X
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
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