i7-3930K vs Apple M3 Max 16-Core

VS

Aggregate performance score

Apple M3 Max 16-Core
2023
16 cores / 16 threads, 78 Watt
25.85
+400%
Core i7-3930K
2011
6 cores / 12 threads, 130 Watt
5.17

Apple M3 Max 16-Core outperforms Core i7-3930K by a whopping 400% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing M3 Max 16-Core and Core i7-3930K processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking1941206
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluationno data0.56
Market segmentLaptopDesktop processor
SeriesApple M3no data
Power efficiency31.363.76
Architecture codenameno dataSandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)
Release date30 October 2023 (1 year ago)14 November 2011 (13 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)no data$611

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

M3 Max 16-Core and Core i7-3930K 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)6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads1612
Base clock speed2.748 GHz3.2 GHz
Boost clock speed4.06 GHz3.8 GHz
Bus rateno data5 GT/s
L1 cacheno data64 KB (per core)
L2 cacheno data256 KB (per core)
L3 cacheno data12 MB (shared)
Chip lithography3 nm32 nm
Die sizeno data435 mm2
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data67 °C
Number of transistors92000 Million2,270 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibilityno data-
Unlocked multiplier-+

Compatibility

Information on M3 Max 16-Core and Core i7-3930K 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 dataFCLGA2011
Power consumption (TDP)78 Watt130 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by M3 Max 16-Core and Core i7-3930K. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsno dataIntel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX
AES-NI-+
AVX-+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)no data+
Turbo Boost Technologyno data2.0
Hyper-Threading Technologyno data+
Idle Statesno data+
Thermal Monitoring-+
Smart Responseno data+
Demand Based Switchingno data-

Security technologies

M3 Max 16-Core and Core i7-3930K technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXTno data-
EDBno data+
Identity Protection-+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by M3 Max 16-Core and Core i7-3930K are enumerated here.

VT-dno data+
VT-xno data+
EPTno data+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by M3 Max 16-Core and Core i7-3930K. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesno dataDDR3
Maximum memory sizeno data64.23 GB
Max memory channelsno data4
Maximum memory bandwidthno data51.2 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardApple M3 Max 40-Core GPUno data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by M3 Max 16-Core and Core i7-3930K.

PCIe versionno data2.0
PCI Express lanesno data40

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 25.85
+400%
i7-3930K 5.17

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 41068
+400%
i7-3930K 8209

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 25.85 5.17
Recency 30 October 2023 14 November 2011
Physical cores 16 6
Threads 16 12
Chip lithography 3 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 78 Watt 130 Watt

Apple M3 Max 16-Core has a 400% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 11 years, 166.7% more physical cores and 33.3% more threads, a 966.7% more advanced lithography process, and 66.7% lower power consumption.

The M3 Max 16-Core is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-3930K in performance tests.

Be aware that Apple M3 Max 16-Core is a notebook processor while Core i7-3930K is a desktop one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Apple M3 Max 16-Core and Core i7-3930K, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

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Apple M3 Max 16-Core
M3 Max 16-Core
Intel Core i7-3930K
Core i7-3930K

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Community ratings

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3.1 276 votes

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4.3 279 votes

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Questions & comments

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