Apple M2 vs i7-3960X Extreme Edition

Place in the ranking	1142	807
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Market segment	Desktop processor	Laptop
Series	Intel Core i7EE	Apple Apple M-Series
Power efficiency	4.07	44.48
Architecture codename	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	no data
Release date	14 November 2011 (13 years ago)	10 June 2022 (2 years ago)

Detailed specifications

Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Apple M2 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	6 (Hexa-Core)	8 (Octa-Core)
Threads	12	8
Base clock speed	no data	2.424 GHz
Boost clock speed	3.3 GHz	3.48 GHz
Bus type	DMI 2.0	no data
Bus rate	5 GT/s	no data
Multiplier	33	no data
L1 cache	no data	2 MB
L2 cache	1,536 KB	20 MB
L3 cache	15 MB	no data
Chip lithography	32 nm	5 nm
Die size	434.72 mm²	no data
Number of transistors	2270 Million	20000 Million
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	no data

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Apple M2 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	1 (Uniprocessor)	no data
Power consumption (TDP)	130 Watt	20 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Apple M2. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

AES-NI	+	-
AVX	+	-
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Apple M2. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Maximum memory size

64 GB

no data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card

no data

Apple M2 10-Core GPU ( - 1398 MHz)

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Apple M2.

PCIe version	2.00	no data
PCI Express lanes	40	no data

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary

Performance score	5.59	9.40
Recency	14 November 2011	10 June 2022
Physical cores	6	8
Threads	12	8
Chip lithography	32 nm	5 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	130 Watt	20 Watt

i7-3960X Extreme Edition has 50% more threads.

Apple M2, on the other hand, has a 68.2% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 10 years, 33.3% more physical cores, a 540% more advanced lithography process, and 550% lower power consumption.

The Apple M2 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition in performance tests.

Note that Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition is a desktop processor while Apple M2 is a notebook one.

Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Apple M2, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.