Apple M2 vs Ryzen 5 5500U: specs and benchmark comparison
Short verdict
Apple M2 leads in every scenario with comparable benchmarks: multi-thread performance. This does not imply an advantage in tasks without benchmarks.
Compare with AIMulti-thread performance
A +39%Apple M2 leads in this scenario (up to 39% in comparable benchmarks).
No comparable benchmarks yet: single-thread performance, gaming (cpu-bound scenarios), power efficiency.
Advantages
Only measured and rated values: a noticeable benchmark gap and specs where more is better.
Where Apple M2 is better2
Blender Benchmark 4.5.0 22.9% faster112 samples/min vs 91 samples/min
Cores 2 more8 (4P + 4E) vs 6
Where Ryzen 5 5500U is better0
No advantages found in our data.
Benchmarks
Results are compared within one benchmark, one version and the same conditions. Laptop chip results depend on the laptop model: its maker sets the power limit and cooling.
- A ahead by 22.9%
Blender Benchmark 4.5.0
CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom · samples/min, higher is better
Apple M2111.7 samples/minRyzen 5 5500U90.8 samples/minPosition among tested models (89)
B · 91A · 1120200400600800Each dot is one model’s median in this benchmark. The scale starts at zero, samples/min. Apple M2 is ahead by 22.9% in this benchmark.
About the measurement and source
- A · Apple M2
111.7 samples/min · community measurement, sample 62 · November 14, 2026
Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation)
Median of 62 submissions (1 outliers excluded), interquartile range 102.8–142.23; submissions 2025-07-19 to 2026-03-05; CPU backend. Snapshot 2026-11-14.
- B · AMD Ryzen 5 5500U
90.8 samples/min · community measurement, sample 49 · November 15, 2026
Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation)
Median of 49 submissions (0 outliers excluded), interquartile range 60.26–108.83; submissions 2025-07-22 to 2026-03-16; CPU backend. Snapshot 2026-11-15.
difference = |A − B| ÷ the smaller value × 100%. The 5% noticeable threshold is a UX heuristic, not statistical significance.
Cycles render in Blender Benchmark. Median of the sum of samples per minute over three scenes after removing outliers.
Other comparable benchmarks (3)
| Benchmark | A | B | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blender Benchmark 4.2.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 105.5 | 79.2 | A +33.2% |
| Blender Benchmark 3.6.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 110.4 | 100.9 | A +9.4% |
| Blender Benchmark 4.0.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 109.2 | 78.6 | A +39% |
Each benchmark version has its own scale: numbers are compared only within a row.
Reference results (21)
| Benchmark | A | B | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blender Benchmark 5.1.1CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 104.4 | 74.9 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.2.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 102 | 75.7 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.0.1CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 106.7 | 96.5 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.1.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 105 | 97.3 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.2.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 143.1 | 92.6 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.2.1CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 132.6 | 96.6 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.3.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 113.5 | 99.3 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.4.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 116.6 | 98.3 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.5.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 108.6 | 97 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 4.1.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 107.4 | 84.1 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 4.3.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 107.4 | 77.1 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 4.4.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 107.5 | 66.8 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.0.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 103.2 | 60.4 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.1.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 104.9 | 82.6 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 2.90CPU, bmw27 (CPU) | — | 327.9 | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 2.90CPU, classroom (CPU) | — | 932 | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 2.90CPU, fishy_cat (CPU) | — | 462.5 | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 2.90CPU, koro (CPU) | — | 708.7 | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 2.90CPU, pavillon_barcelona (CPU) | — | 993.9 | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 2.90CPU, victor (CPU) | — | 1,746.7 | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 5.3.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | — | 85.1 | no pair |
Each benchmark version has its own scale: numbers are compared only within a row.
Specifications
Chip maker values. The laptop maker sets the power limit and clocks in each laptop.
| Specification | A · Apple M2 | B · Ryzen 5 5500U | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cores and clocks | |||
| CoresCores of different types may differ in performance. | 8 (4P + 4E) | 6 | A: 2 more |
| Threads | no data | 12 | no data for A |
| Base clockFor hybrid Intel CPUs, the P-core base clock is shown. | no data | 2.1 GHz | no data for A |
| Max clock (Boost/Turbo) | no data | 4 GHz | no data for A |
| Cache | |||
| L2 cache | no data | 3 MB | no data for A |
| L3 cache | no data | 8 MB | no data for A |
| Platform | |||
| Socket | no data | FP6 | no data for A |
| Process node | 5 nm | TSMC 7 nm FinFET | differs |
| Memory and interfaces | |||
| Memory type | Unified memory | DDR4, LPDDR4 | differs |
| Memory channels | no data | 2 | no data for A |
| Official memory speedFor controllers that support two generations, the speed for the newer memory type is shown. | no data | 3,200 MT/s | no data for A |
| Max memory capacity | 24 GB | no data | no data for B |
| PCI Express | no data | PCIe 3.0 | no data for A |
| Integrated graphics | Apple M2 (8 / 10-core GPU) | AMD Radeon Graphics | differs |
| Power | |||
| TDP (AMD method)AMD TDP, AMD PPT, Intel Base Power (PL1) and Max Turbo Power (PL2) are different metrics and are not compared with each other. For laptop CPUs, the laptop maker configures the TDP. | no data | 15 W (configurable: 10–25 W) | no data for A |
Cores and clocks
Cores
A8 (4P + 4E)
B6
A: 2 moreCores of different types may differ in performance.
Threads
Ano data
B12
no data for ABase clock
Ano data
B2.1 GHz
no data for AFor hybrid Intel CPUs, the P-core base clock is shown.
Max clock (Boost/Turbo)
Ano data
B4 GHz
no data for A
Cache
L2 cache
Ano data
B3 MB
no data for AL3 cache
Ano data
B8 MB
no data for A
Platform
Socket
Ano data
BFP6
no data for AProcess node
A5 nm
BTSMC 7 nm FinFET
differs
Memory and interfaces
Memory type
AUnified memory
BDDR4, LPDDR4
differsMemory channels
Ano data
B2
no data for AOfficial memory speed
Ano data
B3,200 MT/s
no data for AFor controllers that support two generations, the speed for the newer memory type is shown.
Max memory capacity
A24 GB
Bno data
no data for BPCI Express
Ano data
BPCIe 3.0
no data for AIntegrated graphics
AApple M2 (8 / 10-core GPU)
BAMD Radeon Graphics
differs
Power
TDP (AMD method)
Ano data
B15 W (configurable: 10–25 W)
no data for AAMD TDP, AMD PPT, Intel Base Power (PL1) and Max Turbo Power (PL2) are different metrics and are not compared with each other. For laptop CPUs, the laptop maker configures the TDP.
“More” does not always mean “better”: higher power draw or size is a system requirement, not an advantage (such bars are dimmed).
Compare with AI
An AI model reviews the specs and benchmarks of this pair and gives a plain-language verdict on who each model suits.
Questions and answers
Do these CPUs have integrated graphics?
Apple M2: Apple M2 (8 / 10-core GPU). AMD Ryzen 5 5500U: AMD Radeon Graphics.
Which is faster: Apple M2 or AMD Ryzen 5 5500U?
Apple M2 leads in every scenario with comparable benchmarks: multi-thread performance. This does not imply an advantage in tasks without benchmarks.
See also
Data sources (3)
- Apple — specifications of Apple M2checked November 14, 2026
- AMD — specifications of AMD Ryzen 5 5500Uchecked November 7, 2026
- Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation) — benchmark Blender Benchmark 2.90, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.5.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.1.1, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.0.1, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.1.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.2.1, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.3.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.4.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.5.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.6.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.0.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.1.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.3.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.4.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.0.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.1.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.3.0checked November 14, 2026
How we compare: methodology. Where the data comes from: sources.