Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core
32C CPU · 80C GPU · PassMark #109
Ryzen 5 9600X
Zen 5 · 6C/12T · 5.4 GHz · $279
Ryzen 5 9600X takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core lands at 41 and Ryzen 5 9600X at 88. That puts Ryzen 5 9600X ahead by 47 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 Ryzen 5 9600X if…
- ✓Excellent gaming for the price
- ✓Low 65W TDP
- ✓AM5 upgrade path
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testValue for money
Ryzen 5 9600XSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Ryzen 5 9600X more score per dollar ($279 vs $3,999).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core | Ryzen 5 9600X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | ▲ 32 (24P + 8E) | 6 |
| 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 | — |
| Threads | — | 12 |
| Base clock | — | 3.9 GHz |
| Boost clock | — | 5.4 GHz |
| L3 cache | — | 32 MB |
| TDP | — | 65 W |
| Socket | — | AM5 |
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
Ryzen 5 9600X
- +Excellent gaming for the price
- +Low 65W TDP
- +AM5 upgrade path
- −Only 6 cores for productivity
- −X3D siblings stronger in gaming
- −DDR5 required
FAQ: Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core vs Ryzen 5 9600X
Which is better, Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core or Ryzen 5 9600X? +
Ryzen 5 9600X scores 88 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 47. 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 Ryzen 5 9600X worth the price? +
At $279, Ryzen 5 9600X delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in efficiency.
Does Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core or Ryzen 5 9600X 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 Ryzen 5 9600X? +
Ryzen 5 9600X — more score per dollar ($279 vs $3,999). Specdex score per dollar at MSRP.