Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core
32C CPU · 80C GPU · PassMark #109
Ryzen Threadripper 3990X
64C/128T · 4.3 GHz · 280 W TDP · sTRX4 · PassMark #90
Ryzen Threadripper 3990X takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core lands at 41 and Ryzen Threadripper 3990X at 44. That puts Ryzen Threadripper 3990X ahead by 3 points — a narrow 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 Threadripper 3990X if…
- ✓PassMark #90 of 5,901 — capable workhorse
- ✓HEDT platform with abundant PCIe and memory lanes
- ✓Current PassMark-tracked street price around $2,997
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testValue for money
Ryzen Threadripper 3990XSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Ryzen Threadripper 3990X more score per dollar ($2,997 vs $3,999).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core | Ryzen Threadripper 3990X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 32 (24P + 8E) | ▲ 64 |
| 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) | Desktop |
| PassMark rank | #109 of 5,901 | #90 of 5,901 |
| PassMark CPU Mark | 72,912 | ▲ 79,684 |
| Threads | — | 128 |
| Base clock | — | 2.9 GHz |
| Boost clock | — | 4.3 GHz |
| L3 cache | — | 256 MB |
| TDP | — | 280 W |
| Socket | — | sTRX4 |
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 Threadripper 3990X
- +PassMark #90 of 5,901 — capable workhorse
- +HEDT platform with abundant PCIe and memory lanes
- +Current PassMark-tracked street price around $2,997
- −HEDT motherboards and cooling raise total platform cost
FAQ: Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core vs Ryzen Threadripper 3990X
Which is better, Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core or Ryzen Threadripper 3990X? +
Ryzen Threadripper 3990X scores 44 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 3. 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 Threadripper 3990X worth the price? +
At $2,997, Ryzen Threadripper 3990X delivers a Specdex score of 44 — strongest in passmark.
Does Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core or Ryzen Threadripper 3990X 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 Threadripper 3990X? +
Ryzen Threadripper 3990X — more score per dollar ($2,997 vs $3,999). Specdex score per dollar at MSRP.