Apple M1 Max vs i9-10900K

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i9-10900K
2020
10 cores / 20 threads, 125 Watt
14.33
+3.1%
Apple M1 Max
2021
10 cores / 10 threads, 2060 Watt
13.90

Core i9-10900K outperforms Apple M1 Max by a minimal 3% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i9-10900K and Apple M1 Max processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking501526
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation15.03no data
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
Seriesno dataApple M-Series
Power efficiency10.85no data
Architecture codenameComet Lake (2020)no data
Release date30 April 2020 (4 years ago)18 October 2021 (3 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$488no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i9-10900K and Apple M1 Max 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 cores10 (Deca-Core)10 (Deca-Core)
Threads2010
Base clock speed3.7 GHz2.06 GHz
Boost clock speed5.2 GHz3.22 GHz
Bus rate8 GT/sno data
L1 cache64 KB (per core)2.9 MB
L2 cache256 KB (per core)28 MB
L3 cache20 MB (shared)48 MB
Chip lithography14 nm5 nm
Die size206 mm2no data
Maximum core temperature100 °Cno data
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
Number of transistorsno data57000 Million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility+no data
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-10900K and Apple M1 Max 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
SocketFCLGA1200no data
Power consumption (TDP)125 Watt2060 ‑ 3220 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-10900K and Apple M1 Max. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2no data
AES-NI+-
FMA+-
AVX+-
vPro+no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)+no data
Turbo Boost Technology2.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
Idle States+no data
Thermal Monitoring+-
SIPP+-
Turbo Boost Max 3.0+no data

Security technologies

Core i9-10900K and Apple M1 Max technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+no data
EDB+no data
Secure Key+no data
Identity Protection+-
SGXYes with Intel® MEno data
OS Guard+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-10900K and Apple M1 Max 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 i9-10900K and Apple M1 Max. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4no data
Maximum memory size128 GBno data
Max memory channels2no data
Maximum memory bandwidth45.8 GB/sno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card
Compare
Intel UHD Graphics 630Apple M1 Max 32-Core GPU
Max video memory64 GBno data
Quick Sync Video+-
Clear Video+no data
Clear Video HD+no data
Graphics max frequency1.2 GHzno data
InTru 3D+no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i9-10900K and Apple M1 Max integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported3no data

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i9-10900K and Apple M1 Max integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution support+no data
Max resolution over HDMI 1.44096 x 2160@30Hzno data
Max resolution over eDP4096 x 2304@60Hzno data
Max resolution over DisplayPort4096 x 2304@60Hzno data

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i9-10900K and Apple M1 Max integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX12no data
OpenGL4.5no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-10900K and Apple M1 Max.

PCIe version3.0no data
PCI Express lanes16no 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.

i9-10900K 14.33
+3.1%
Apple M1 Max 13.90

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.

i9-10900K 22759
+3.1%
Apple M1 Max 22083

Cinebench 15 64-bit multi-core

Cinebench Release 15 Multi Core is a variant of Cinebench R15 which uses all the processor threads.

i9-10900K 2533
+49.8%
Apple M1 Max 1691

Cinebench 15 64-bit single-core

Cinebench R15 (standing for Release 15) is a benchmark made by Maxon, authors of Cinema 4D. It was superseded by later versions of Cinebench, which use more modern variants of Cinema 4D engine. The Single Core version (sometimes called Single-Thread) only uses a single processor thread to render a room full of reflective spheres and light sources.

i9-10900K 217
+8.5%
Apple M1 Max 200

Geekbench 5.5 Multi-Core

i9-10900K 11393
Apple M1 Max 12697
+11.4%

Geekbench 5.5 Single-Core

i9-10900K 1428
Apple M1 Max 1782
+24.8%

WebXPRT 3

i9-10900K 255
Apple M1 Max 360
+41.2%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 14.33 13.90
Recency 30 April 2020 18 October 2021
Threads 20 10
Chip lithography 14 nm 5 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 125 Watt 2060 Watt

i9-10900K has a 3.1% higher aggregate performance score, 100% more threads, and 1548% lower power consumption.

Apple M1 Max, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 1 year, and a 180% more advanced lithography process.

Given the minimal performance differences, no clear winner can be declared between Core i9-10900K and Apple M1 Max.

Note that Core i9-10900K is a desktop processor while Apple M1 Max is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-10900K and Apple M1 Max, 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.


Intel Core i9-10900K
Core i9-10900K
Apple M1 Max
M1 Max

Similar processor comparisons

We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.

Community ratings

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


3.6 1233 votes

Rate Core i9-10900K on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
2.3 689 votes

Rate Apple M1 Max on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i9-10900K or Apple M1 Max, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.