Skip to content
Specdex
Compare now
Apple M5 — 10C CPU · 10C GPU · 153 GB/s memory
Apple

Apple M5

10C CPU · 10C GPU · 153 GB/s memory

93
/ 100
From $1,299
VS
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2) wins by 3
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2) — Zen 5 + 3D V-Cache · 8C · 5.4 GHz
AMD

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2)

Zen 5 + 3D V-Cache · 8C · 5.4 GHz

96
/ 100
From $499
Specdex verdict

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2) takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Apple M5 lands at 93 and AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2) at 96. That puts AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2) ahead by 3 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Apple M5 if…

  • ✓10-core CPU (up to 4 performance + 6 efficiency)
  • ✓10-core GPU
  • ✓153 GB/s unified memory bandwidth

Pick AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2) if…

  • ✓Latest generation silicon
  • ✓Improved perf-per-watt
  • ✓Full modern feature set
Share this comparison: Share to Reddit X / Twitter

Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Gaming

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2)

Frame-rate-bound workloads — favours cache and single-thread speed

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2) leads on gaming (97 vs 78).

Creators & productivity

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2)

Rendering, compilation, heavy multitasking — favours core count

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2) leads on multi (96 vs 90).

Power efficiency

Apple M5

Performance per watt — thermals, PSU headroom, electricity cost

Apple M5 leads on efficiency (100 vs 86).

Value for money

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2)

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2) more score per dollar ($499 vs $1,299).

Apple M5 93
vs
96 AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2)

Score breakdown

Apple M5
93
single 100
multi 90
gaming 78
efficiency 100
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2)
96
single 98
multi 96
gaming 97
efficiency 86

Specs side-by-side

Apple M5 versus AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2) — full spec comparison
Spec Apple M5 AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2)
Cores
▲ 10 (up to 4P + 6E)
8
Memory bandwidth
153 GB/s
—
Neural engine
16-core
—
Process
TSMC 3 nm (3rd-generation)
—
Release year
2025
2026
Architecture
—
Zen 5
Threads
—
16
Socket
—
AM5

Apple M5

Pros
  • +10-core CPU (up to 4 performance + 6 efficiency)
  • +10-core GPU
  • +153 GB/s unified memory bandwidth
Cons
  • −Apple-ecosystem only
  • −Base tier starts at 16 GB
  • −Windows via Parallels only

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2)

Pros
  • +Latest generation silicon
  • +Improved perf-per-watt
  • +Full modern feature set
Cons
  • −Premium pricing
  • −Requires up-to-date platform
  • −Initial stock scarcity likely

FAQ: Apple M5 vs AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2)

Which is better, Apple M5 or AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2)? +

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2) scores 96 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 3. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Apple M5 worth the price? +

At $1,299, Apple M5 delivers a Specdex score of 93 — strongest in single.

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 M5 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 better for gaming, Apple M5 or AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2)? +

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2) — leads on gaming (97 vs 78). Frame-rate-bound workloads — favours cache and single-thread speed.

Which is better for creator and productivity work, Apple M5 or AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2)? +

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (v2) — leads on multi (96 vs 90). Rendering, compilation, heavy multitasking — favours core count.