PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

M2 Max

2023

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (48 MB vs 32 MB).
✅Draws 36W instead of 65W, a 29W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Apple M2 Max GPU, while Ryzen 5 7500F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 7500F across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Ryzen 5 7500F

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +25.5% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (26,727 vs 26,824).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (32 MB vs 48 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $179 MSRP, while M2 Max mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌80.6% higher power demand at 65W vs 36W.
❌No integrated graphics, while M2 Max can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

M2 Max

2023

Ryzen 5 7500F

2023

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (48 MB vs 32 MB).
✅Draws 36W instead of 65W, a 29W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Apple M2 Max GPU, while Ryzen 5 7500F needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +25.5% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 7500F across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (26,727 vs 26,824).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (32 MB vs 48 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $179 MSRP, while M2 Max mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌80.6% higher power demand at 65W vs 36W.
❌No integrated graphics, while M2 Max can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 7500F better than M2 Max?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Ryzen 5 7500F is ahead with a 25.5% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, M2 Max pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. M2 Max also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (48 MB vs 32 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, M2 Max is the better fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 12 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (48 MB vs 32 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Ryzen 5 7500F is the smarter buy today. Ryzen 5 7500F is at an unclear MSRP at $179 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you a 25.5% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data. The trade-off is that M2 Max is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.4% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (149.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible none + DDR5 setup, M2 Max can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Ryzen 5 7500F is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more overall headroom and a better platform outlook.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

M2 Max Benchmark Check

Ryzen 5 7500F Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	M2 Max	Ryzen 5 7500F
1080p
low	189 FPS	246 FPS
medium	152 FPS	228 FPS
high	124 FPS	197 FPS
ultra	98 FPS	171 FPS
1440p
low	155 FPS	217 FPS
medium	121 FPS	182 FPS
high	94 FPS	151 FPS
ultra	76 FPS	133 FPS
4K
low	71 FPS	151 FPS
medium	59 FPS	127 FPS
high	46 FPS	99 FPS
ultra	38 FPS	85 FPS

Open M2 Max Open Ryzen 5 7500F

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	M2 Max	Ryzen 5 7500F
1080p
low	505 FPS	516 FPS
medium	437 FPS	434 FPS
high	342 FPS	364 FPS
ultra	279 FPS	327 FPS
1440p
low	429 FPS	442 FPS
medium	379 FPS	384 FPS
high	306 FPS	327 FPS
ultra	240 FPS	283 FPS
4K
low	266 FPS	283 FPS
medium	239 FPS	250 FPS
high	210 FPS	233 FPS
ultra	173 FPS	203 FPS

Open M2 Max Open Ryzen 5 7500F

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	M2 Max	Ryzen 5 7500F
1080p
low	671 FPS	668 FPS
medium	670 FPS	668 FPS
high	625 FPS	668 FPS
ultra	552 FPS	668 FPS
1440p
low	605 FPS	668 FPS
medium	483 FPS	668 FPS
high	444 FPS	668 FPS
ultra	388 FPS	606 FPS
4K
low	423 FPS	524 FPS
medium	329 FPS	452 FPS
high	292 FPS	391 FPS
ultra	234 FPS	323 FPS

Open M2 Max Open Ryzen 5 7500F

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	M2 Max	Ryzen 5 7500F
1080p
low	671 FPS	668 FPS
medium	671 FPS	668 FPS
high	671 FPS	668 FPS
ultra	668 FPS	668 FPS
1440p
low	671 FPS	668 FPS
medium	663 FPS	668 FPS
high	569 FPS	668 FPS
ultra	489 FPS	612 FPS
4K
low	545 FPS	668 FPS
medium	486 FPS	590 FPS
high	427 FPS	521 FPS
ultra	368 FPS	437 FPS

Open M2 Max Open Ryzen 5 7500F

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of M2 Max and Ryzen 5 7500F

M2 Max

The M2 Max is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 17 January 2023 (2 years ago). It features 12 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.424 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 48 MB. L2 cache: 36 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 36 MB + 48 MB. Memory support: LPDDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 26,824 points. Launch price was $299.

Ryzen 5 7500F

The Ryzen 5 7500F is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 22 July 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raphael (2023−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200. Passmark benchmark score: 26,727 points. Launch price was $179.

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Processing Power

The M2 Max packs 12 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 5 7500F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the M2 Max has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the M2 Max versus 5 GHz on the Ryzen 5 7500F — a 29.9% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 7500F (base: 2.424 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Ryzen 5 7500F is built on the Raphael (2023−2025) architecture. In PassMark, the M2 Max scores 26,824 against the Ryzen 5 7500F's 26,727 — a 0.4% lead for the M2 Max. L3 cache: 48 MB on the M2 Max vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 7500F.

Feature	M2 Max	Ryzen 5 7500F
Cores / Threads	12 / 12+100%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	5 GHz+35%
Base Clock	2.424 GHz	3.7 GHz+53%
L3 Cache	48 MB+50%	32 MB (total)
L2 Cache	36 MB+3500%	1 MB (per core)
Process	5 nm	5 nm
Architecture	—	Raphael (2023−2025)
PassMark	26,824	26,727

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Memory & Platform

The M2 Max uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 5 7500F uses AM5 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	M2 Max	Ryzen 5 7500F
Socket	none	AM5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR5-6400	—
Max RAM Capacity	96 GB	—
RAM Channels	4	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	0	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: Virtualization (M2 Max) / not specified (Ryzen 5 7500F). The M2 Max includes integrated graphics (Apple M2 Max GPU), while the Ryzen 5 7500F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: M2 Max targets Mobile.