i7-860 vs Apple M3 Max 16-Core

VS

Aggregate performance score

Apple M3 Max 16-Core
2023
16 cores / 16 threads, 78 Watt
25.87
+1269%
Core i7-860
2009
4 cores / 8 threads, 95 Watt
1.89

Apple M3 Max 16-Core outperforms Core i7-860 by a whopping 1269% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing M3 Max 16-Core and Core i7-860 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking1931983
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluationno data0.19
Market segmentLaptopDesktop processor
SeriesApple M3no data
Power efficiency31.391.88
Architecture codenameno dataLynnfield (2009−2010)
Release date30 October 2023 (1 year ago)8 September 2009 (15 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)no data$229

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

M3 Max 16-Core and Core i7-860 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)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads168
Base clock speed2.748 GHz2.8 GHz
Boost clock speed4.06 GHz3.46 GHz
Bus rateno data2.5 GT/s
L1 cacheno data64 KB (per core)
L2 cacheno data256 KB (per core)
L3 cacheno data8 MB (shared)
Chip lithography3 nm45 nm
Die sizeno data296 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data73 °C
Number of transistors92000 Million774 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibilityno data-

Compatibility

Information on M3 Max 16-Core and Core i7-860 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 dataFCLGA1156,LGA1156
Power consumption (TDP)78 Watt95 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by M3 Max 16-Core and Core i7-860. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsno dataIntel® SSE4.2
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)no data+
Turbo Boost Technologyno data1.0
Hyper-Threading Technologyno data+
Idle Statesno data+
Demand Based Switchingno data-
PAEno data36 Bit

Security technologies

M3 Max 16-Core and Core i7-860 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXTno data+
EDBno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by M3 Max 16-Core and Core i7-860 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 i7-860. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesno dataDDR3
Maximum memory sizeno data16 GB
Max memory channelsno data2
Maximum memory bandwidthno data21 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardApple M3 Max 40-Core GPUN/A

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by M3 Max 16-Core and Core i7-860.

PCIe versionno data2.0
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 25.87
+1269%
i7-860 1.89

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 41091
+1270%
i7-860 3000

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 25.87 1.89
Recency 30 October 2023 8 September 2009
Physical cores 16 4
Threads 16 8
Chip lithography 3 nm 45 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 78 Watt 95 Watt

Apple M3 Max 16-Core has a 1268.8% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 14 years, 300% more physical cores and 100% more threads, a 1400% more advanced lithography process, and 21.8% lower power consumption.

The M3 Max 16-Core is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-860 in performance tests.

Be aware that Apple M3 Max 16-Core is a notebook processor while Core i7-860 is a desktop one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Apple M3 Max 16-Core and Core i7-860, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Apple M3 Max 16-Core
M3 Max 16-Core
Intel Core i7-860
Core i7-860

Similar processor comparisons

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Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


3.1 276 votes

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3.8 758 votes

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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about M3 Max 16-Core or Core i7-860, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.