Apple
Apple M4
10C CPU · 10C GPU · Ray-Tracing
92
/ 100
From $1,099
VS
Ryzen 9 9950X3D wins by 4
AMD
Ryzen 9 9950X3D
Zen 5 · 16C/32T · 3D V-Cache · AM5
96
/ 100
From $699
Specdex verdict
Ryzen 9 9950X3D takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Apple M4 lands at 92 and Ryzen 9 9950X3D at 96. That puts Ryzen 9 9950X3D ahead by 4 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Apple M4 if…
- ✓Industry-best perf-per-watt
- ✓Hardware ray tracing on iGPU
- ✓LPDDR5X 120 GB/s
Pick Ryzen 9 9950X3D if…
- ✓16C productivity + 3D V-Cache on gaming CCD
- ✓Lower power than Intel 14900K
- ✓Overclockable unlike prior X3D parts
Apple M4 92
vs 96 Ryzen 9 9950X3D
Score breakdown
Apple M4
92 single 100
multi 86
gaming 72
efficiency 100
Ryzen 9 9950X3D
96 single 96
multi 98
gaming 99
efficiency 88
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Apple M4 | Ryzen 9 9950X3D |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 10 (4P+6E) | ▲ 16 (16C/32T; only one CCD carries 3D V-Cache) |
| Memory bandwidth | 120 GB/s | — |
| Neural engine | 16-core, 38 TOPS | — |
| Process | TSMC N3E | TSMC 4 nm |
| 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 M4
Pros
- +Industry-best perf-per-watt
- +Hardware ray tracing on iGPU
- +LPDDR5X 120 GB/s
Cons
- −Only in Apple products
- −Limited Windows gaming
- −Entry-tier 8 GB RAM is tight for ML
Ryzen 9 9950X3D
Pros
- +16C productivity + 3D V-Cache on gaming CCD
- +Lower power than Intel 14900K
- +Overclockable unlike prior X3D parts
Cons
- −$699 premium pricing
- −Only one CCD has the stacked cache
- −X870E motherboard recommended
FAQ: Apple M4 vs Ryzen 9 9950X3D
Which is better, Apple M4 or Ryzen 9 9950X3D? +
Ryzen 9 9950X3D scores 96 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 4. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Apple M4 worth the price? +
At $1,099, Apple M4 delivers a Specdex score of 92 — strongest in single.
Is Ryzen 9 9950X3D worth the price? +
At $699, Ryzen 9 9950X3D delivers a Specdex score of 96 — strongest in gaming.
Does Apple M4 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.