i7-3520M vs Apple M3 Max 16-Core

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Aggregate performance score

Apple M3 Max 16-Core
2023
16 cores / 16 threads, 78 Watt
26.32
+1323%

Apple M3 Max 16-Core outperforms i7-3520M by a whopping 1323% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Apple M3 Max 16-Core and Core i7-3520M processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking1751965
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Market segmentLaptopLaptop
SeriesApple M3Intel Core i7
Architecture codenameno dataIvy Bridge (2012−2013)
Release date30 October 2023 (less than a year ago)3 June 2012 (12 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)no data$346

Detailed specifications

Apple M3 Max 16-Core and Core i7-3520M basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores16 (Hexadeca-Core)2 (Dual-core)
Threads164
Base clock speed2.748 GHz2.9 GHz
Boost clock speed4.06 GHz3.6 GHz
Bus rateno data5 GT/s
L1 cacheno data128 KB
L2 cacheno data512 KB
L3 cacheno data4 MB
Chip lithography3 nm22 nm
Die sizeno data118 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data105 °C
Number of transistors92000 Millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibilityno data-

Compatibility

Information on Apple M3 Max 16-Core and Core i7-3520M compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configurationno data1
Socketno dataFCBGA1023,FCPGA988
Power consumption (TDP)78 Watt35 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Apple M3 Max 16-Core and Core i7-3520M. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsno dataIntel® AVX
AES-NI-+
AVX-+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)no data+
My WiFino data+
Turbo Boost Technologyno data2.0
Hyper-Threading Technologyno data+
Idle Statesno data+
Thermal Monitoring-+
Flex Memory Accessno data+
Demand Based Switchingno data-
FDIno data+
Fast Memory Accessno data+
Statusno dataDiscontinued

Security technologies

Apple M3 Max 16-Core and Core i7-3520M technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXTno data+
EDBno data+
Secure Keyno data+
Identity Protection-+
Anti-Theftno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Apple M3 Max 16-Core and Core i7-3520M are enumerated here.

AMD-V-+
VT-dno data+
VT-xno data+
EPTno data+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Apple M3 Max 16-Core and Core i7-3520M. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesno dataDDR3
Maximum memory sizeno data32 GB
Max memory channelsno data2
Maximum memory bandwidthno data25.6 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card
Compare
Apple M3 Max 40-Core GPUIntel HD Graphics 4000
Quick Sync Video-+
Clear Video HDno data+
Graphics max frequencyno data1.25 GHz
InTru 3Dno data+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Apple M3 Max 16-Core and Core i7-3520M integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data3
eDPno data+
DisplayPort-+
HDMI-+
SDVOno data+
CRTno data+

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Apple M3 Max 16-Core and Core i7-3520M.

PCIe versionno data3.0
PCI Express lanesno data16

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

Apple M3 Max 16-Core 26.32
+1323%
i7-3520M 1.85

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

Apple M3 Max 16-Core 40715
+1320%
i7-3520M 2867

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 26.32 1.85
Recency 30 October 2023 3 June 2012
Physical cores 16 2
Threads 16 4
Chip lithography 3 nm 22 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 78 Watt 35 Watt

Apple M3 Max 16-Core has a 1322.7% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 11 years, 700% more physical cores and 300% more threads, and a 633.3% more advanced lithography process.

i7-3520M, on the other hand, has 122.9% lower power consumption.

The Apple M3 Max 16-Core is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-3520M in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Apple M3 Max 16-Core and Core i7-3520M, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Apple M3 Max 16-Core
M3 Max 16-Core
Intel Core i7-3520M
Core i7-3520M

Similar processor comparisons

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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