Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX
64C/128T · 5.4 GHz · 350 W · sTR5 · PassMark #9
Apple M5 Max
16C CPU · 40C GPU · 570 GB/s
Apple M5 Max takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX lands at 84 and Apple M5 Max at 98. That puts Apple M5 Max ahead by 14 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX if…
- ✓PassMark top-10 multi-thread performance (151,322 CPU Mark)
- ✓Workstation-tier core counts for rendering and compilation
- ✓Current PassMark-tracked street price around $7,999
Pick Apple M5 Max if…
- ✓Leads the industry in perf-per-watt
- ✓128 GB unified memory option
- ✓Best-in-class ML acceleration
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testValue for money
Apple M5 MaxSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Apple M5 Max more score per dollar ($3,499 vs $7,999).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX | Apple M5 Max |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | ▲ 64 | 16 (12P+4E) |
| Threads | 128 | — |
| Base clock | 3.2 GHz | — |
| Boost clock | 5.4 GHz | — |
| L3 cache | 256 MB | — |
| TDP | 350 W | — |
| Socket | sTR5 | — |
| Platform | WRX90 or TRX50 | — |
| Memory | 8-channel DDR5-6400 ECC RDIMM, up to 2TB (on WRX90) | — |
| PCIe | 128x PCIe 5.0 + 8x PCIe 4.0 from CPU (on WRX90) | — |
| PassMark rank | #9 of 5,901 | — |
| PassMark CPU Mark | 151,322 | — |
| GPU cores | — | 40 |
| Memory bandwidth | — | 570 GB/s |
| Neural engine | — | 16-core, 60 TOPS |
Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX
- +PassMark top-10 multi-thread performance (151,322 CPU Mark)
- +Workstation-tier core counts for rendering and compilation
- +Current PassMark-tracked street price around $7,999
- −Workstation platform — overkill for gaming-only builds
Apple M5 Max
- +Leads the industry in perf-per-watt
- +128 GB unified memory option
- +Best-in-class ML acceleration
- −Macs only, no DIY
- −Expensive
- −Gaming library still limited
FAQ: Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX vs Apple M5 Max
Which is better, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX or Apple M5 Max? +
Apple M5 Max scores 98 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 14. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX worth the price? +
At $7,999, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX delivers a Specdex score of 84 — strongest in passmark.
Is Apple M5 Max worth the price? +
At $3,499, Apple M5 Max delivers a Specdex score of 98 — strongest in efficiency.
Does Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX or Apple M5 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 PRO 9985WX or Apple M5 Max? +
Apple M5 Max — more score per dollar ($3,499 vs $7,999). Specdex score per dollar at MSRP.