Apple M2 Ultra 24 Core
24C CPU · 76C GPU · PassMark #?
Ryzen 9 9950X3D
Zen 5 · 16C/32T · 3D V-Cache · AM5
Ryzen 9 9950X3D takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Apple M2 Ultra 24 Core lands at 28 and Ryzen 9 9950X3D at 96. That puts Ryzen 9 9950X3D ahead by 68 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Apple M2 Ultra 24 Core if…
- ✓PassMark CPU Mark of 50,932 — solid multi-thread numbers
- ✓Best-in-class perf-per-watt on macOS
Pick Ryzen 9 9950X3D if…
- ✓16C productivity + 3D V-Cache on gaming CCD
- ✓Lower power than Intel 14900K
- ✓Overclockable unlike prior X3D parts
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testValue for money
Ryzen 9 9950X3DSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Ryzen 9 9950X3D more score per dollar ($699 vs $3,999).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Apple M2 Ultra 24 Core | Ryzen 9 9950X3D |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | ▲ 24 (16P + 8E) | 16 (16C/32T; only one CCD carries 3D V-Cache) |
| GPU cores | 76 (top config) / 60 (base) | — |
| Neural Engine | 32-core (31.6 TOPS) | — |
| Memory bandwidth | 819.2 GB/s | — |
| Unified memory | Up to 192 GB LPDDR5-6400 | — |
| Process | 5 nm (TSMC N5P) | TSMC 4 nm |
| Transistors | 134 billion | — |
| Class | Desktop (Mac Studio, Mac Pro) | — |
| PassMark rank | #249 of 5,901 | — |
| PassMark CPU Mark | 50,932 | — |
| Threads | — | 32 |
| Base clock | — | 4.3 GHz |
| Boost clock | — | 5.7 GHz |
| L3 cache | — | 128 MB (96 MB stacked + 32 MB) |
| TDP | — | 170 W |
| Socket | — | AM5 |
| iGPU | — | Radeon Graphics (RDNA 2, 2 CUs) |
| Memory | — | DDR5-5600 |
Apple M2 Ultra 24 Core
- +PassMark CPU Mark of 50,932 — solid multi-thread numbers
- +Best-in-class perf-per-watt on macOS
- −Only available inside Apple devices — no DIY upgrade path
- −Newer-generation parts pull ahead in current rankings
Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- +16C productivity + 3D V-Cache on gaming CCD
- +Lower power than Intel 14900K
- +Overclockable unlike prior X3D parts
- −$699 premium pricing
- −Only one CCD has the stacked cache
- −X870E motherboard recommended
FAQ: Apple M2 Ultra 24 Core vs Ryzen 9 9950X3D
Which is better, Apple M2 Ultra 24 Core or Ryzen 9 9950X3D? +
Ryzen 9 9950X3D scores 96 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 68. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Apple M2 Ultra 24 Core worth the price? +
At $3,999, Apple M2 Ultra 24 Core delivers a Specdex score of 28 — strongest in passmark.
Is Ryzen 9 9950X3D worth the price? +
At $699, Ryzen 9 9950X3D delivers a Specdex score of 96 — strongest in gaming.
Does Apple M2 Ultra 24 Core or Ryzen 9 9950X3D 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, Apple M2 Ultra 24 Core or Ryzen 9 9950X3D? +
Ryzen 9 9950X3D — more score per dollar ($699 vs $3,999). Specdex score per dollar at MSRP.