The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS vs Apple M3 Max presents a fascinating comparison. They are two of the most powerful laptop processors available now. However, they are vastly different from each other. The former can be found in a variety of high-end gaming laptops and productivity machines, while the latter only belongs to MacBooks.
It can be very confusing to select between devices with either of these chips, as they are both fantastic options. This guide will compare both CPUs to help you in making an informed decision.
Note: This article is subjective and reflects the author's opinions.
AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS vs Apple M3 Max: Specifications
Both processors are remarkably different from each other. They use completely distinct architectures, instruction sets, and core designs. The AMD chip is based on Zen 4 architecture and uses an x86-64 instruction set with a traditional design having eight cores and sixteen threads. On the other hand, the M-series chip is an ARMv8-based chip with a hybrid core design having 12P + 4E cores and 12 threads.
Here are the other details:
The Apple chip has more cache memory and an efficient process node, while the Ryzen chip has a turbo clock speed of 5.2GHz, which means you will get a temporary performance boost when encountering a heavy workload.
The CPU from Team Red has a configurable TDP ranging from 35W to 54W, while its counterpart has a fixed TDP of 40W. On average, the latter is more energy efficient.
AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS vs Apple M3 Max: Performance comparison
The previous section focused on theory, which is only good for having a general overview. To get more insight into the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS vs Apple M3 Max comparison, it is important to check the real-life performance of these chips. To do so, I have collected the synthetic test results of both CPUs from the NanoReview website.
The Apple M3 Max outperforms its counterpart in every test with significant margins, especially in the multi-core tests. In the Geekbench 6 multi-core test, it has delivered 59% better performance, which is a pretty huge improvement over the competitor. So, it can be concluded that this M-series chip is better for general performance.
Gaming performance
A direct gaming comparison between both chips cannot be done, as both run on different OS, come with different hardware, and are based on a different architecture. Therefore, we will rely on the iGPU flops to understand their prowess.
The AMD Ryzen process is not even near to its Apple equivalent in GPU power. However, that’s just theoretical performance. To understand more, I have sourced the gaming test number of two laptops having these processors. Here are their details:
Based on the NanoReview data, the ASUS device scored 45 out of 100 in gaming, while its counterpart got 51. That means the M3 Max is superior in terms of raw gaming prowess. However, if paired with a powerful GPU, the AMD chip can outperform its competitor.
AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS vs Apple M3 Max: Final verdict
Based on the above analysis, it is evident that the M-series processor is a better CPU for laptops. However, other factors can influence your decision-making.
You will find the M3 Max chip only on Macs, which are very decent devices overall. But can’t be categorized as gaming machines. They are good for casual and productivity tasks, thanks to their efficient battery life and optimized software.
On the other hand, the Ryzen chip can be found in multiple laptops. And if combined with top-notch hardware, it can overpower the Apple device in gaming. Moreover, these devices are generally more affordable.
Ultimately, the final winner of the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS vs Apple M3 Max battle depends on your needs and preferences.
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