Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core
32C CPU · 80C GPU · PassMark #109
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2)
Zen 5 + 3D V-Cache · 8C · 5.4 GHz
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2) takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core lands at 41 and AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2) at 96. That puts AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2) ahead by 55 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core if…
- ✓PassMark #109 of 5,901 — capable workhorse
- ✓Best-in-class perf-per-watt on macOS
Pick AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2) if…
- ✓Latest generation silicon
- ✓Improved perf-per-watt
- ✓Full modern feature set
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 | Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core | AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2) |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | ▲ 32 (24P + 8E) | 8 |
| 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 | — |
| Architecture | — | Zen 5 |
| Threads | — | 16 |
| Socket | — | AM5 |
| Release year | — | 2026 |
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
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
FAQ: Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core vs AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2)
Which is better, Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core or AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2)? +
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2) scores 96 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 55. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
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.
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.
Does Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core or AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2) 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 M3 Ultra 32 Core or AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2)? +
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2) — more score per dollar ($499 vs $3,999). Specdex score per dollar at MSRP.