AMD Ryzen 9 9950X vs Apple M2 Pro 12 Core
Verdict
Our overall take, at a glance
Key takeaways
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X leads Apple M2 Pro 12 Core overall by 32 points (91 vs 59 out of 100).
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X stands out on Core Specifications Cores: 16, Core Specifications Threads: 32, Core Specifications Base Frequency: 4.3 GHz.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X leads overall
$649 at launch
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
91
Apple M2 Pro 12 Core
59
Why it stands out
- Core Specifications Cores: 16
- Core Specifications Threads: 32
- Core Specifications Base Frequency: 4.3 GHz
In-depth analysisAI
AI-generated from the cited sources — may be incomplete or inaccurate; verify important details before deciding · generated Jun 2026.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
The Ryzen 9 9950X is a high-end desktop processor from AMD's latest series. It is designed for demanding users who utilize both intensive gaming and professional content creation applications.
Best for Content CreationBest for Professional WorkstationsBest for High-End Gaming
Pros
- Built on the advanced Zen architecture, ensuring high multi-core performance for complex workloads.
- Designed with support for modern platform features like DDR5 memory up to 256 GB.
- Positioned in the flagship lineup, indicating top-tier computational power for professional use.
Cons
- The specific core/cache configurations and launch details are not fully detailed on the official product page.
- As a bleeding-edge processor, its full performance potential requires cooling solutions capable of handling high thermal demands.
Apple M2 Pro 12 Core
The Apple M2 Pro is a powerful system-on-a-chip designed for professionals who require extensive creative and computing capabilities. It uses Apple's custom architecture, offering a significant boost in performance over previous generations of Macs. This chip powers devices intended for demanding tasks such as complex video editing, graphic design, and software development.
Best for Professional video editingBest for High-resolution graphic designBest for Software development
Pros
- It provides a strong balance of processing power through its specific core count of 8 performance and 4 efficiency cores (unbinned model) (Source 1)
- Users benefit from high bandwidth memory with LPDDR5, providing fast data transfer across all components (Source 1)
- The integrated GPU is designed for enhanced graphics performance, suitable for demanding visual workloads (Source 1)
- It supports advanced connectivity features including Thunderbolt 4 (Source 1)
Cons
- Its existence within a tiered system means that even its professional versions are surpassed by the M2 Max and M2 Ultra options in workstation contexts (Source 1)
- Performance scaling is tied to specific chassis models, meaning users must select hardware based on required memory bandwidth (Source 1)
Value for Money
Which is the better deal for the price
Pre-filled with launch prices where known — enter today's price for an up-to-date check. Use the same currency for both.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
Apple M2 Pro 12 Core
Performance
Higher benchmark score = faster
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X63,000
Apple M2 Pro 12 Core26,457
Benchmark score — a measured indicator of raw performance, not a guarantee of real-world speed.
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Detailed Specifications
The full spec sheet, side by side