M3 Pro vs Ryzen 9 7900
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | M3 Pro | Ryzen 9 7900 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cinebench 2024 single-core | 143 | 120 | +19.2% |
| Cinebench 2024 multi-core | 1,059 | 1,657 | -36.1% |
| Cores | 12 (6P+6E) | 12 | — |
| TDP (base W) | 30 | 65 | — |
- M3 Pro is faster than Ryzen 9 7900 by 19.2% in single-core and slower by 36.1% in multi-core (Cinebench 2024).
- M3 Pro draws less power (30W vs 65W base TDP).
Verdict: M3 Pro or Ryzen 9 7900?
M3 Pro advantages
- Single-core speed (+16%)
- Power efficiency (+54%)
Ryzen 9 7900 advantages
- Multi-core speed (+36%)
Which should you choose?
- Choose the M3 Pro if you mainly game or want snappy everyday responsiveness.
- Choose the Ryzen 9 7900 if you render video, compile code or run heavy multitasking.
- Choose the M3 Pro if you want a cooler, quieter and more power-efficient build.
M3 Pro vs Ryzen 9 7900: which should you choose?
M3 Pro — 12-core Apple processor (6P+6E) scoring 143 single-core and 1059 multi-core in Cinebench 2024, with a 30 W TDP.
Ryzen 9 7900 — 12-core AMD processor scoring 120 single-core and 1657 multi-core in Cinebench 2024, with a 65 W TDP and 64 MB L3 cache.
M3 Pro vs Ryzen 9 7900: Ryzen 9 7900 leads in multi-core performance. M3 Pro is faster than Ryzen 9 7900 by 19.2% in single-core and slower by 36.1% in multi-core (Cinebench 2024). M3 Pro draws less power (30W vs 65W base TDP).
Gaming and single-threaded work
Games and everyday responsiveness lean on single-core speed. The M3 Pro leads there with a single-core score of 143 versus 120, so it is the marginally better pick for high-refresh gaming — though at typical resolutions the GPU usually decides frame rates.
Content creation and multitasking
For rendering, compilation, video export and other all-core workloads, the Ryzen 9 7900 is stronger, posting 1,657 multi-core against 1,059 in Cinebench 2024. Its 12 cores give it real headroom for heavy parallel jobs.
Power and platform
The M3 Pro is the more efficient chip at 30 W versus 65 W, which means less heat, quieter cooling and lower running costs under sustained load.
The verdict
Both are credible choices in the processor comparison space; the specification table above lays out every metric so you can weigh the trade-offs that matter to you. Pick the one whose strengths line up with how you will actually use it.
Frequently asked questions
Is the M3 Pro better than the Ryzen 9 7900?
These two are closely matched — the right pick comes down to which specific strengths you value and the price you actually pay. M3 Pro is faster than Ryzen 9 7900 by 19.2% in single-core and slower by 36.1% in multi-core (Cinebench 2024).
What is the main difference between the M3 Pro and the Ryzen 9 7900?
M3 Pro is faster than Ryzen 9 7900 by 19.2% in single-core and slower by 36.1% in multi-core (Cinebench 2024). M3 Pro draws less power (30W vs 65W base TDP).
Which should I choose?
Choose the M3 Pro if you mainly game or want snappy everyday responsiveness. Choose the Ryzen 9 7900 if you render video, compile code or run heavy multitasking.
Methodology
Processors are compared on Cinebench 2024 single-core and multi-core scores from published leaderboard results, alongside core configuration (performance + efficiency cores), base TDP, L3 cache, PassMark CPU Mark, 1080p gaming scores and street pricing where measured. Cinebench reflects rendering-style workloads; gaming performance depends heavily on the GPU and the specific title, so treat single-core standing as directional. Figures reflect the leaderboard snapshot on the page date.