Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
24C/48T · 4.5 GHz · 280 W TDP · sTRX4 · PassMark #221
Apple M4 Max
16C CPU · 40C GPU · 16-core Neural Engine
Apple M4 Max takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Ryzen Threadripper 3960X lands at 30 and Apple M4 Max at 97. That puts Apple M4 Max ahead by 67 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Ryzen Threadripper 3960X if…
- ✓PassMark CPU Mark of 54,791 — solid multi-thread numbers
- ✓HEDT platform with abundant PCIe and memory lanes
- ✓Current PassMark-tracked street price around $870
Pick Apple M4 Max if…
- ✓Industry-best perf-per-watt
- ✓128 GB unified memory option
- ✓Hardware ray-tracing
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testValue for money
Apple M4 MaxSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Apple M4 Max more score per dollar ($1,299 vs $870).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Ryzen Threadripper 3960X | Apple M4 Max |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | ▲ 24 | 16 (12P+4E) |
| Threads | ▲ 48 | 16 |
| Base clock | 3.8 GHz | — |
| Boost clock | 4.5 GHz | — |
| L3 cache | 128 MB | — |
| TDP | 280 W | — |
| Socket | sTRX4 | — |
| Class | Desktop | — |
| PassMark rank | #221 of 5,901 | — |
| PassMark CPU Mark | 54,791 | — |
| Memory bandwidth | — | 546 GB/s |
| Neural engine | — | 16-core, 38 TOPS |
| Process | — | TSMC N3E |
| Max memory | — | 128 GB unified |
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
- +PassMark CPU Mark of 54,791 — solid multi-thread numbers
- +HEDT platform with abundant PCIe and memory lanes
- +Current PassMark-tracked street price around $870
- −HEDT motherboards and cooling raise total platform cost
- −Newer-generation parts pull ahead in current rankings
Apple M4 Max
- +Industry-best perf-per-watt
- +128 GB unified memory option
- +Hardware ray-tracing
- −Apple ecosystem lock-in
- −Not user-replaceable
- −Limited Windows gaming
FAQ: Ryzen Threadripper 3960X vs Apple M4 Max
Which is better, Ryzen Threadripper 3960X or Apple M4 Max? +
Apple M4 Max scores 97 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 67. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Ryzen Threadripper 3960X worth the price? +
At $870, Ryzen Threadripper 3960X delivers a Specdex score of 30 — strongest in passmark.
Is Apple M4 Max worth the price? +
At $1,299, Apple M4 Max delivers a Specdex score of 97 — strongest in efficiency.
Does Ryzen Threadripper 3960X or Apple M4 Max 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, Ryzen Threadripper 3960X or Apple M4 Max? +
Apple M4 Max — more score per dollar ($1,299 vs $870). Specdex score per dollar at MSRP.