AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2)
Zen 5 + 3D V-Cache · 8C · 5.4 GHz
Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core
32C CPU · 80C GPU · PassMark #109
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2) takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2) lands at 96 and Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core at 41. That puts AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2) ahead by 55 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2) if…
- ✓Latest generation silicon
- ✓Improved perf-per-watt
- ✓Full modern feature set
Pick Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core if…
- ✓PassMark #109 of 5,901 — capable workhorse
- ✓Best-in-class perf-per-watt on macOS
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testValue for money
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2)Specdex score per dollar at MSRP
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2) more score per dollar ($499 vs $3,999).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2) | Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Zen 5 | — |
| Cores | 8 | ▲ 32 (24P + 8E) |
| Threads | 16 | — |
| Socket | AM5 | — |
| Release year | 2026 | — |
| GPU cores | — | 80 (top config) / 60 (base) |
| Neural Engine | — | 32-core |
| Memory bandwidth | — | 409.6 GB/s |
| Unified memory | — | Up to 512 GB LPDDR5-6400 |
| Process | — | 3 nm (TSMC N3B) |
| Transistors | — | 184 billion |
| Class | — | Desktop (Mac Studio) |
| PassMark rank | — | #109 of 5,901 |
| PassMark CPU Mark | — | 72,912 |
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2)
- +Latest generation silicon
- +Improved perf-per-watt
- +Full modern feature set
- −Premium pricing
- −Requires up-to-date platform
- −Initial stock scarcity likely
Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core
- +PassMark #109 of 5,901 — capable workhorse
- +Best-in-class perf-per-watt on macOS
- −Only available inside Apple devices — no DIY upgrade path
FAQ: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2) vs Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core
Which is better, AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2) or Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core? +
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2) scores 96 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 55. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2) worth the price? +
At $499, AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2) delivers a Specdex score of 96 — strongest in single.
Is Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core worth the price? +
At $3,999, Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core delivers a Specdex score of 41 — strongest in passmark.
Does AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2) or Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is the better value, AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2) or Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core? +
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2) — more score per dollar ($499 vs $3,999). Specdex score per dollar at MSRP.