Apple M2 vs i9-12900KF

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i9-12900KF
2021
16 cores / 24 threads, 125 Watt
25.88
+175%
Apple M2
2022
8 cores / 8 threads, 20 Watt
9.40

Core i9-12900KF outperforms Apple M2 by a whopping 175% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i9-12900KF and M2 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking193814
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation38.51no data
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
SeriesIntel Core i9Apple Apple M-Series
Power efficiency19.5844.45
Architecture codenameAlder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)no data
Release date4 November 2021 (3 years ago)10 June 2022 (2 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$564no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i9-12900KF 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 cores16 (Hexadeca-Core)8 (Octa-Core)
Threads248
Base clock speed3.2 GHz2.424 GHz
Boost clock speed5.2 GHz3.48 GHz
Bus typeDMI 4.0no data
Bus rate8 × 16 GT/sno data
Multiplier32no data
L1 cache80K (per core)2 MB
L2 cache1.25 MB (per core)20 MB
L3 cache30 MB (shared)no data
Chip lithographyIntel 7 nm5 nm
Die size215.25 mm2no data
Maximum core temperature100 °Cno data
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 i9-12900KF 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
SocketFCLGA1700no data
Power consumption (TDP)125 Watt20 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-12900KF and M2. 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+-
AVX+-
vPro+no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)+no data
Speed Shift+no data
Turbo Boost Technology2.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
Idle States+no data
Thermal Monitoring+-
Turbo Boost Max 3.0+no data
Deep Learning Boost+-

Security technologies

Core i9-12900KF and M2 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

EDB+no data
Secure Key+no data
OS Guard+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-12900KF 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 i9-12900KF and M2. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR5-4800, DDR4-3200no data
Maximum memory size128 GBno data
Max memory channels2no data
Maximum memory bandwidth76.805 GB/sno 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 i9-12900KF and M2.

PCIe version5.0 and 4.0no data
PCI Express lanes20no 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.

i9-12900KF 25.88
+175%
Apple M2 9.40

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.

i9-12900KF 41105
+175%
Apple M2 14933

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 25.88 9.40
Recency 4 November 2021 10 June 2022
Physical cores 16 8
Threads 24 8
Power consumption (TDP) 125 Watt 20 Watt

i9-12900KF has a 175.3% higher aggregate performance score, and 100% more physical cores and 200% more threads.

Apple M2, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 7 months, and 525% lower power consumption.

The Core i9-12900KF is our recommended choice as it beats the M2 in performance tests.

Note that Core i9-12900KF is a desktop processor while Apple M2 is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-12900KF and Apple M2, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i9-12900KF
Core i9-12900KF
Apple M2
M2

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i9-12900KF or M2, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.