Apple M2 vs i7-6850K

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-6850K
2016
6 cores / 12 threads, 140 Watt
7.21
Apple M2
2022
8 cores / 8 threads, 20 Watt
9.40
+30.4%

Apple M2 outperforms Core i7-6850K by a substantial 30% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-6850K and M2 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking994814
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation1.40no data
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
Seriesno dataApple Apple M-Series
Power efficiency4.8744.48
Architecture codenameBroadwell-E (2016)no data
Release date31 May 2016 (8 years ago)10 June 2022 (2 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$475no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-6850K and 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 cores6 (Hexa-Core)8 (Octa-Core)
Threads128
Base clock speed3.6 GHz2.424 GHz
Boost clock speed4 GHz3.48 GHz
L1 cache32 KB (per core)2 MB
L2 cache256 KB (per core)20 MB
L3 cache15 MB (shared)no data
Chip lithography14 nm5 nm
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
Number of transistorsno data20000 Million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-no data
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-6850K and 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 configuration1no data
SocketFCLGA2011no data
Power consumption (TDP)140 Watt20 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-6850K and M2. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

AES-NI+-
AVX+-
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)+no data
Turbo Boost Technology2.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
Idle States+no data
Smart Response+no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0+no data

Security technologies

Core i7-6850K and M2 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+no data
EDB+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-6850K and M2 are enumerated here.

VT-d+no data
VT-x+no data
EPT+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-6850K and M2. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4no data
Maximum memory size128 GBno data
Max memory channels4no data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataApple M2 10-Core GPU ( - 1398 MHz)

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-6850K and M2.

PCIe version3.0no data
PCI Express lanes40no data

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.

i7-6850K 7.21
Apple M2 9.40
+30.4%

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.

i7-6850K 11451
Apple M2 14933
+30.4%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 7.21 9.40
Recency 31 May 2016 10 June 2022
Physical cores 6 8
Threads 12 8
Chip lithography 14 nm 5 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 140 Watt 20 Watt

i7-6850K has 50% more threads.

Apple M2, on the other hand, has a 30.4% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 6 years, 33.3% more physical cores, a 180% more advanced lithography process, and 600% lower power consumption.

The M2 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-6850K in performance tests.

Note that Core i7-6850K is a desktop processor while Apple M2 is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-6850K and Apple M2, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-6850K
Core i7-6850K
Apple M2
M2

Similar processor comparisons

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Community ratings

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


4.3 153 votes

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3.5 620 votes

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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-6850K or M2, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.