M2 Max vs Ryzen 7 PRO 7840HS

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

✅+200% larger total L3 cache (48 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Newer platform on none with DDR5 support instead of FP7/FP8 and older memory support.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Apple M2 Max GPU, while Ryzen 7 PRO 7840HS needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 PRO 7840HS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (26,824 vs 26,852).
❌350% higher power demand at 36W vs 8W.

Ryzen 7 PRO 7840HS

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +21.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 8W instead of 36W, a 28W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 48 MB).
❌Older platform position on FP7/FP8, while M2 Max moves to none and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while M2 Max can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

M2 Max

2023

Ryzen 7 PRO 7840HS

2023

Why buy it

✅+200% larger total L3 cache (48 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Newer platform on none with DDR5 support instead of FP7/FP8 and older memory support.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Apple M2 Max GPU, while Ryzen 7 PRO 7840HS needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +21.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 8W instead of 36W, a 28W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 PRO 7840HS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (26,824 vs 26,852).
❌350% higher power demand at 36W vs 8W.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 48 MB).
❌Older platform position on FP7/FP8, while M2 Max moves to none and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while M2 Max can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 PRO 7840HS better than M2 Max?

Yes. Ryzen 7 PRO 7840HS is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 21.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.1% better PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 7 PRO 7840HS is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 21.6% 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 PRO 7840HS is the better fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Ryzen 7 PRO 7840HS still looks like the safer overall buy. Ryzen 7 PRO 7840HS is at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you a 21.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

M2 Max is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a healthier platform with none and DDR5 instead of FP7/FP8 and 200% larger total L3 cache (48 MB vs 16 MB). 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.

M2 Max Benchmark Check

Ryzen 7 PRO 7840HS Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	M2 Max	Ryzen 7 PRO 7840HS
1080p
low	189 FPS	269 FPS
medium	152 FPS	243 FPS
high	124 FPS	204 FPS
ultra	98 FPS	176 FPS
1440p
low	155 FPS	236 FPS
medium	121 FPS	193 FPS
high	94 FPS	157 FPS
ultra	76 FPS	139 FPS
4K
low	71 FPS	164 FPS
medium	59 FPS	136 FPS
high	46 FPS	105 FPS
ultra	38 FPS	92 FPS

Open M2 Max Open Ryzen 7 PRO 7840HS

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	M2 Max	Ryzen 7 PRO 7840HS
1080p
low	505 FPS	510 FPS
medium	437 FPS	419 FPS
high	342 FPS	361 FPS
ultra	279 FPS	322 FPS
1440p
low	429 FPS	446 FPS
medium	379 FPS	386 FPS
high	306 FPS	332 FPS
ultra	240 FPS	283 FPS
4K
low	266 FPS	294 FPS
medium	239 FPS	266 FPS
high	210 FPS	251 FPS
ultra	173 FPS	216 FPS

Open M2 Max Open Ryzen 7 PRO 7840HS

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	M2 Max	Ryzen 7 PRO 7840HS
1080p
low	671 FPS	671 FPS
medium	670 FPS	671 FPS
high	625 FPS	647 FPS
ultra	552 FPS	546 FPS
1440p
low	605 FPS	671 FPS
medium	483 FPS	637 FPS
high	444 FPS	541 FPS
ultra	388 FPS	464 FPS
4K
low	423 FPS	541 FPS
medium	329 FPS	473 FPS
high	292 FPS	419 FPS
ultra	234 FPS	355 FPS

Open M2 Max Open Ryzen 7 PRO 7840HS

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	M2 Max	Ryzen 7 PRO 7840HS
1080p
low	671 FPS	671 FPS
medium	671 FPS	671 FPS
high	671 FPS	671 FPS
ultra	668 FPS	671 FPS
1440p
low	671 FPS	671 FPS
medium	663 FPS	671 FPS
high	569 FPS	660 FPS
ultra	489 FPS	573 FPS
4K
low	545 FPS	572 FPS
medium	486 FPS	511 FPS
high	427 FPS	457 FPS
ultra	368 FPS	394 FPS

Open M2 Max Open Ryzen 7 PRO 7840HS

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of M2 Max and Ryzen 7 PRO 7840HS

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 7 PRO 7840HS

The Ryzen 7 PRO 7840HS is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 13 June 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Phoenix-HS (Zen 4) (2023) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 8 MB. Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP7/FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 8 MB + 16 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 26,852 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The M2 Max packs 12 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 7 PRO 7840HS offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the M2 Max has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the M2 Max versus 5.1 GHz on the Ryzen 7 PRO 7840HS — a 31.8% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 PRO 7840HS (base: 2.424 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Ryzen 7 PRO 7840HS is built on the Phoenix-HS (Zen 4) (2023) architecture. In PassMark, the M2 Max scores 26,824 against the Ryzen 7 PRO 7840HS's 26,852 — a 0.1% lead for the Ryzen 7 PRO 7840HS. L3 cache: 48 MB on the M2 Max vs 16 MB on the Ryzen 7 PRO 7840HS.

Feature	M2 Max	Ryzen 7 PRO 7840HS
Cores / Threads	12 / 12+50%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	5.1 GHz+38%
Base Clock	2.424 GHz	3.8 GHz+57%
L3 Cache	48 MB+200%	16 MB
L2 Cache	36 MB+350%	8 MB
Process	5 nm	4 nm-20%
Architecture	—	Phoenix-HS (Zen 4) (2023)
PassMark	26,824	26,852

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Memory & Platform

The M2 Max uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 7 PRO 7840HS uses FP7/FP8 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	M2 Max	Ryzen 7 PRO 7840HS
Socket	none	FP7/FP8
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
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 7 PRO 7840HS). The M2 Max includes integrated graphics (Apple M2 Max GPU), while the Ryzen 7 PRO 7840HS requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: M2 Max targets Mobile.