There are multiple different ways to do this.

Rank or row number

Max in a subquery and join to it

Top 1 in a cross apply

All will likely be way faster than a triangular join. Which is best among them often depends on the volume and distribution of the data

As for comparing performance characteristics, if you want to see which run faster, which uses less CPU, then see which runs faster and uses less CPU. The execution plan shows estimated costs of operators and procedures, not durations and CPU.