Apple M1 vs i7-990X

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-990X
2011
6 cores / 12 threads, 130 Watt
4.68

Apple M1 outperforms Core i7-990X by a moderate 15% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-990X and Apple M1 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking13011190
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.22no data
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
Seriesno dataApple Apple M-Series
Power efficiency3.28no data
Architecture codenameGulftown (2010−2011)no data
Release date24 February 2011 (13 years ago)10 November 2020 (3 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,104no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-990X and Apple M1 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 speed3.46 GHz2.064 GHz
Boost clock speed3.73 GHz3.2 GHz
Bus rate6.4 GT/sno data
L1 cache64 KB (per core)2 MB
L2 cache256 KB (per core)16 MB
L3 cache12 MB (shared)16 MB
Chip lithography32 nm5 nm
Die size239 mm2no data
Maximum core temperature68 °Cno data
Number of transistors1,170 million16000 Million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-990X and Apple M1 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
SocketFCLGA1366,LGA1366no data
Power consumption (TDP)130 Wattno data

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-990X and Apple M1. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2no data
AES-NI+-
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)+no data
Turbo Boost Technology1.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
Idle States+no data
Demand Based Switching-no data
PAE36 Bitno data

Security technologies

Core i7-990X and Apple M1 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 i7-990X and Apple M1 are enumerated here.

VT-x+no data
EPT+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-990X and Apple M1. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3no data
Maximum memory size24 GBno data
Max memory channels3no data
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/sno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataApple M1 8-Core GPU

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-990X and Apple M1.

PCIe version2.0no 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.

i7-990X 4.68
Apple M1 5.36
+14.5%

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.

i7-990X 7168
Apple M1 8207
+14.5%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 4.68 5.36
Recency 24 February 2011 10 November 2020
Physical cores 6 8
Threads 12 8
Chip lithography 32 nm 5 nm

i7-990X has 50% more threads.

Apple M1, on the other hand, has a 14.5% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 9 years, 33.3% more physical cores, and a 540% more advanced lithography process.

The Apple M1 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-990X in performance tests.

Note that Core i7-990X is a desktop processor while Apple M1 is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-990X and Apple M1, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-990X
Core i7-990X
Apple M1
M1

Similar processor comparisons

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-990X or Apple M1, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.