i9-7960X vs Apple M3 Max 16-Core
Aggregate performance score
Apple M3 Max 16-Core outperforms Core i9-7960X by a considerable 43% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing M3 Max 16-Core and Core i9-7960X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in the ranking | 193 | 336 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Cost-effectiveness evaluation | no data | 3.25 |
| Market segment | Laptop | Desktop processor |
| Series | Apple M3 | Intel Core i9 |
| Power efficiency | 31.39 | 10.40 |
| Architecture codename | no data | Skylake (server) (2017−2018) |
| Release date | 30 October 2023 (1 year ago) | 1 September 2017 (7 years ago) |
| Launch price (MSRP) | no data | $1,699 |
Cost-effectiveness evaluation
Performance per price, higher is better.
Detailed specifications
M3 Max 16-Core and Core i9-7960X 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 cores | 16 (Hexadeca-Core) | 16 (Hexadeca-Core) |
| Threads | 16 | 32 |
| Base clock speed | 2.748 GHz | 2.8 GHz |
| Boost clock speed | 4.06 GHz | 4.4 GHz |
| Bus type | no data | DMI 3.0 |
| Bus rate | no data | 4 × 8 GT/s |
| L1 cache | no data | 64 KB (per core) |
| L2 cache | no data | 1 MB (per core) |
| L3 cache | no data | 22 MB (shared) |
| Chip lithography | 3 nm | 14 nm |
| Die size | no data | 484 mm2 |
| Maximum core temperature | no data | 98 °C |
| Number of transistors | 92000 Million | no data |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
| Windows 11 compatibility | no data | + |
| Unlocked multiplier | - | + |
Compatibility
Information on M3 Max 16-Core and Core i9-7960X 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 configuration | no data | 1 (Uniprocessor) |
| Socket | no data | FCLGA2066 |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 78 Watt | 165 Watt |
Technologies and extensions
Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by M3 Max 16-Core and Core i9-7960X. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.
| Instruction set extensions | no data | Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512 |
| AES-NI | - | + |
| AVX | - | + |
| Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST) | no data | + |
| Turbo Boost Technology | no data | 2.0 |
| Hyper-Threading Technology | no data | + |
| TSX | - | + |
| Turbo Boost Max 3.0 | no data | + |
Security technologies
M3 Max 16-Core and Core i9-7960X technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.
| EDB | no data | + |
Virtualization technologies
Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by M3 Max 16-Core and Core i9-7960X are enumerated here.
| VT-d | no data | + |
| VT-x | no data | + |
Memory specs
Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by M3 Max 16-Core and Core i9-7960X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
| Supported memory types | no data | DDR4-2666 |
| Maximum memory size | no data | 128 GB |
| Max memory channels | no data | 4 |
| Maximum memory bandwidth | no data | 85.33 GB/s |
Graphics specifications
General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.
| Integrated graphics card | Apple M3 Max 40-Core GPU | N/A |
Peripherals
Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by M3 Max 16-Core and Core i9-7960X.
| PCIe version | no data | 3.0 |
| PCI Express lanes | no data | 44 |
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.
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.
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 25.87 | 18.14 |
| Recency | 30 October 2023 | 1 September 2017 |
| Threads | 16 | 32 |
| Chip lithography | 3 nm | 14 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 78 Watt | 165 Watt |
Apple M3 Max 16-Core has a 42.6% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 6 years, a 366.7% more advanced lithography process, and 111.5% lower power consumption.
i9-7960X, on the other hand, has 100% more threads.
The M3 Max 16-Core is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i9-7960X in performance tests.
Be aware that Apple M3 Max 16-Core is a notebook processor while Core i9-7960X is a desktop one.
Should you still have questions on choice between Apple M3 Max 16-Core and Core i9-7960X, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
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