AMD
Ryzen 9 7900X
Zen 4 · 12C/24T · 170 W · AM5
90
/ 100
From $549
VS
Apple M5 wins by 3
Apple
Apple M5
10C CPU · 10C GPU · 153 GB/s memory
93
/ 100
From $1,299
Specdex verdict
Apple M5 takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Ryzen 9 7900X lands at 90 and Apple M5 at 93. That puts Apple M5 ahead by 3 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Ryzen 9 7900X if…
- ✓AM4/AM5 longevity
- ✓Multi-thread value
- ✓Unlocked multipliers
Pick Apple M5 if…
- ✓10-core CPU (up to 4 performance + 6 efficiency)
- ✓10-core GPU
- ✓153 GB/s unified memory bandwidth
Ryzen 9 7900X 90
vs 93 Apple M5
Score breakdown
Ryzen 9 7900X
90 single 86
multi 90
gaming 88
efficiency 80
Apple M5
93 single 100
multi 90
gaming 78
efficiency 100
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Ryzen 9 7900X | Apple M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Zen 4 | — |
| Cores | ▲ 12 | 10 (up to 4P + 6E) |
| Threads | 24 | — |
| TDP | 170 W | — |
| Socket | AM5 | — |
| Release year | 2022 | 2025 |
| Memory bandwidth | — | 153 GB/s |
| Neural engine | — | 16-core |
| Process | — | TSMC 3 nm (3rd-generation) |
Ryzen 9 7900X
Pros
- +AM4/AM5 longevity
- +Multi-thread value
- +Unlocked multipliers
Cons
- −DDR5 required on AM5
- −iGPU optional
- −X3D variants better for gaming
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
FAQ: Ryzen 9 7900X vs Apple M5
Which is better, Ryzen 9 7900X or Apple M5? +
Apple M5 scores 93 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 3. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Ryzen 9 7900X worth the price? +
At $549, Ryzen 9 7900X delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in multi.
Is Apple M5 worth the price? +
At $1,299, Apple M5 delivers a Specdex score of 93 — strongest in single.
Does Ryzen 9 7900X or Apple M5 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.