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M1 Pro 8-Core vs Ryzen 7 2700X

CPUCPUGPUGPU

M1 Pro 8-Core

8 Cores8 Thrd28 WWMax: 3.22 GHz2021

Popular choices:

•••••••••
VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 2700X

8 Cores16 Thrd105 WWMax: 4.35 GHz2018

Popular choices:

•••••••••

Performance Spectrum - CPU

M1 Pro 8-Core
8 / 8
17,218
0.0%
Ryzen 7 2700X
8 / 16
17,450
+1.3%
brand logoRyzen 3 PRO 4450U
brand logoRyzen 3 5425U
brand logoRyzen 3 8300GE
brand logoRyzen 7 5700U
brand logoRyzen AI 9 HX 370
brand logoRyzen 9 8945HX
brand logoRyzen 9 9950X3D
brand logoRyzen Threadripper 9960X

About PassMark

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.

M1 Pro 8-Core

2021

Why buy it

  • ✅Draws 28W instead of 105W, a 77W reduction.
  • ✅Newer platform on none with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
  • ✅Integrated graphics onboard with Apple M1 Pro GPU (14-core), while Ryzen 7 2700X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 2700X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Lower PassMark (17,218 vs 17,450).

Ryzen 7 2700X

2018

Why buy it

  • ✅Better for gaming: +24.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Launch MSRP is still $329 MSRP, while M1 Pro 8-Core mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • ❌275% higher power demand at 105W vs 28W.
  • ❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while M1 Pro 8-Core moves to none and DDR5.
  • ❌No integrated graphics, while M1 Pro 8-Core can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 2700X better than M1 Pro 8-Core?
Yes. Ryzen 7 2700X is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 24.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.3% better PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 7 2700X is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 24.8% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 7 2700X is the better fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 7 2700X is the smarter buy today. Ryzen 7 2700X is at an unclear MSRP at $329 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you a 24.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (53.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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, M1 Pro 8-Core 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?
M1 Pro 8-Core is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2018) and a healthier platform with none and DDR5 instead of AM4. That makes it the safer long-term pick.

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.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetM1 Pro 8-CoreRyzen 7 2700X
1080p
low175 FPS223 FPS
medium140 FPS191 FPS
high113 FPS157 FPS
ultra90 FPS116 FPS
1440p
low141 FPS184 FPS
medium111 FPS151 FPS
high88 FPS121 FPS
ultra69 FPS89 FPS
4K
low66 FPS83 FPS
medium55 FPS73 FPS
high44 FPS58 FPS
ultra35 FPS44 FPS
Open M1 Pro 8-CoreOpen Ryzen 7 2700X
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetM1 Pro 8-CoreRyzen 7 2700X
1080p
low163 FPS349 FPS
medium143 FPS306 FPS
high126 FPS270 FPS
ultra99 FPS240 FPS
1440p
low140 FPS318 FPS
medium127 FPS286 FPS
high114 FPS251 FPS
ultra89 FPS218 FPS
4K
low99 FPS233 FPS
medium93 FPS214 FPS
high82 FPS196 FPS
ultra64 FPS170 FPS
Open M1 Pro 8-CoreOpen Ryzen 7 2700X
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetM1 Pro 8-CoreRyzen 7 2700X
1080p
low430 FPS436 FPS
medium430 FPS436 FPS
high430 FPS436 FPS
ultra430 FPS436 FPS
1440p
low430 FPS436 FPS
medium430 FPS436 FPS
high391 FPS408 FPS
ultra341 FPS342 FPS
4K
low398 FPS392 FPS
medium309 FPS324 FPS
high260 FPS285 FPS
ultra208 FPS229 FPS
Open M1 Pro 8-CoreOpen Ryzen 7 2700X
Valorant

Valorant

PresetM1 Pro 8-CoreRyzen 7 2700X
1080p
low430 FPS436 FPS
medium430 FPS436 FPS
high430 FPS436 FPS
ultra430 FPS436 FPS
1440p
low430 FPS436 FPS
medium430 FPS436 FPS
high430 FPS436 FPS
ultra429 FPS436 FPS
4K
low430 FPS436 FPS
medium407 FPS436 FPS
high363 FPS429 FPS
ultra315 FPS379 FPS
Open M1 Pro 8-CoreOpen Ryzen 7 2700X
Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of M1 Pro 8-Core and Ryzen 7 2700X

M1 Pro 8-Core

The M1 Pro 8-Core is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 18 October 2021 (4 years ago). It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.06 GHz, with boost up to 3.22 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 28 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 MB + 16 MB. Memory support: LPDDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 17,218 points. Launch price was $299.

AMD

Ryzen 7 2700X

The Ryzen 7 2700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 19 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Zen+ (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.35 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 17,450 points. Launch price was $329.

⚡

Processing Power

The M1 Pro 8-Core packs 8 cores / 8 threads, matching the Ryzen 7 2700X's 8 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.22 GHz on the M1 Pro 8-Core versus 4.35 GHz on the Ryzen 7 2700X — a 29.9% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 2700X (base: 2.06 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Ryzen 7 2700X is built on the Zen+ (2018−2019) architecture. In PassMark, the M1 Pro 8-Core scores 17,218 against the Ryzen 7 2700X's 17,450 — a 1.3% lead for the Ryzen 7 2700X. L3 cache: 16 MB on the M1 Pro 8-Core vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 2700X.

FeatureM1 Pro 8-CoreRyzen 7 2700X
Cores / Threads
8 / 8
8 / 16
Boost Clock
3.22 GHz
4.35 GHz+35%
Base Clock
2.06 GHz
3.7 GHz+80%
L3 Cache
16 MB
16 MB (total)
L2 Cache
28 MB+5500%
512K (per core)
Process
5 nm-58%
12 nm
Architecture
—
Zen+ (2018−2019)
PassMark
17,218
17,450+1%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The M1 Pro 8-Core uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 7 2700X uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR5-6400 on the M1 Pro 8-Core versus DDR4-2933 on the Ryzen 7 2700X — the M1 Pro 8-Core supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 7 2700X supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (M1 Pro 8-Core) vs 2 (Ryzen 7 2700X). PCIe lanes: 0 (M1 Pro 8-Core) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 2700X) — the Ryzen 7 2700X offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeatureM1 Pro 8-CoreRyzen 7 2700X
Socket
none
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0+33%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
LPDDR5-6400+25%
DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB
64 GB+100%
RAM Channels
4+100%
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
0
24
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 7 2700X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: Virtualization (M1 Pro 8-Core) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 7 2700X). The M1 Pro 8-Core includes integrated graphics (Apple M1 Pro GPU (14-core)), while the Ryzen 7 2700X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: M1 Pro 8-Core targets Mobile, Ryzen 7 2700X targets Desktop.

FeatureM1 Pro 8-CoreRyzen 7 2700X
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
Apple M1 Pro GPU (14-core)
—
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
Virtualization
AMD-V
Target Use
Mobile
Desktop