Ryzen Threadripper 3970X vs M3 Ultra
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Ryzen Threadripper 3970X | M3 Ultra | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cinebench 2024 single-core | 78 | 133 | -41.4% |
| Cinebench 2024 multi-core | 2,566 | 2,753 | -6.8% |
| Cores | 32 | 32 (24P+8E) | — |
| TDP (base W) | 280 | 140 | — |
- Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is slower than M3 Ultra by 41.4% in single-core and slower by 6.8% in multi-core (Cinebench 2024).
- M3 Ultra draws less power (140W vs 280W base TDP).
Verdict: Ryzen Threadripper 3970X or M3 Ultra?
Ryzen Threadripper 3970X advantages
- No decisive advantage on the tracked metrics.
M3 Ultra advantages
- Single-core speed (+41%)
- Multi-core speed (+7%)
- Power efficiency (+50%)
Which should you choose?
- Choose the M3 Ultra if you mainly game or want snappy everyday responsiveness.
Ryzen Threadripper 3970X vs M3 Ultra: which should you choose?
Ryzen Threadripper 3970X — 32-core AMD processor scoring 78 single-core and 2566 multi-core in Cinebench 2024, with a 280 W TDP and 128 MB L3 cache.
M3 Ultra — 32-core Apple processor (24P+8E) scoring 133 single-core and 2753 multi-core in Cinebench 2024, with a 140 W TDP.
Ryzen Threadripper 3970X vs M3 Ultra: M3 Ultra leads in multi-core performance. Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is slower than M3 Ultra by 41.4% in single-core and slower by 6.8% in multi-core (Cinebench 2024). M3 Ultra draws less power (140W vs 280W base TDP).
Gaming and single-threaded work
Games and everyday responsiveness lean on single-core speed. The M3 Ultra leads there with a single-core score of 133 versus 78, 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 M3 Ultra is stronger, posting 2,753 multi-core against 2,566 in Cinebench 2024. Its 32 cores (24 performance + 8 efficiency) give it real headroom for heavy parallel jobs.
Power and platform
The M3 Ultra is the more efficient chip at 140 W versus 280 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 Ryzen Threadripper 3970X better than the M3 Ultra?
M3 Ultra is the clearly stronger overall choice, winning most of the dimensions that matter. Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is slower than M3 Ultra by 41.4% in single-core and slower by 6.8% in multi-core (Cinebench 2024).
What is the main difference between the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and the M3 Ultra?
Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is slower than M3 Ultra by 41.4% in single-core and slower by 6.8% in multi-core (Cinebench 2024). M3 Ultra draws less power (140W vs 280W base TDP).
Which should I choose?
Choose the M3 Ultra if you mainly game or want snappy everyday responsiveness.
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.