Apple M5 Pro
14C CPU · 20C GPU · 300 GB/s
Threadripper 7980X
Zen 4 · 64C/128T · sTR5
Apple M5 Pro takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Apple M5 Pro lands at 96 and Threadripper 7980X at 95. That puts Apple M5 Pro ahead by 1 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Apple M5 Pro if…
- ✓Creator-tier silicon in a laptop
- ✓Improved memory bandwidth over M4 Pro
- ✓Excellent media engines
Pick Threadripper 7980X if…
- ✓Massive core counts
- ✓ECC memory support
- ✓Workstation/server-grade platform
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testGaming
Apple M5 ProFrame-rate-bound workloads — favours cache and single-thread speed
Apple M5 Pro leads on single (99 vs 87).
Creators & productivity
TieRendering, compilation, heavy multitasking — favours core count
Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.
Power efficiency
Apple M5 ProPerformance per watt — thermals, PSU headroom, electricity cost
Apple M5 Pro leads on efficiency (98 vs 78).
Value for money
Apple M5 ProSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Apple M5 Pro more score per dollar ($2,199 vs $4,999).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Apple M5 Pro | Threadripper 7980X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 14 (10P+4E) | ▲ 64 |
| GPU cores | 20 | — |
| Memory bandwidth | 300 GB/s | — |
| Neural engine | 16-core, 55 TOPS | — |
| Architecture | — | Zen 4 |
| Threads | — | 128 |
| Socket | — | sTR5 |
| Release year | — | 2023 |
Apple M5 Pro
- +Creator-tier silicon in a laptop
- +Improved memory bandwidth over M4 Pro
- +Excellent media engines
- −Only in MacBook Pro / Mac mini
- −Premium pricing
- −Windows ARM gap persists
Threadripper 7980X
- +Massive core counts
- +ECC memory support
- +Workstation/server-grade platform
- −Niche platform, limited motherboards
- −High TDP requires serious cooling
- −Premium price
FAQ: Apple M5 Pro vs Threadripper 7980X
Which is better, Apple M5 Pro or Threadripper 7980X? +
Apple M5 Pro scores 96 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 1. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Apple M5 Pro worth the price? +
At $2,199, Apple M5 Pro delivers a Specdex score of 96 — strongest in single.
Is Threadripper 7980X worth the price? +
At $4,999, Threadripper 7980X delivers a Specdex score of 95 — strongest in multi.
Does Apple M5 Pro or Threadripper 7980X 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 Pro or Threadripper 7980X? +
Apple M5 Pro — leads on single (99 vs 87). Frame-rate-bound workloads — favours cache and single-thread speed.
Which is better for power efficiency, Apple M5 Pro or Threadripper 7980X? +
Apple M5 Pro — leads on efficiency (98 vs 78). Performance per watt — thermals, PSU headroom, electricity cost.