Apple M3 Max 16-Core vs i9-12900KF

Aggregate performance score

Core i9-12900KF
2021
16 cores / 24 threads, 125 Watt
25.88
+0.2%
Apple M3 Max 16-Core
2023
16 cores / 16 threads, 78 Watt
25.82

Primary details

Comparing Core i9-12900KF and Apple M3 Max 16-Core processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking188189
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation36.84no data
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
SeriesIntel Core i9Apple M3
Power efficiency19.5931.33
Architecture codenameAlder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)no data
Release date4 November 2021 (3 years ago)30 October 2023 (1 year ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$564no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i9-12900KF and Apple M3 Max 16-Core 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)16 (Hexadeca-Core)
Threads2416
Base clock speed3.2 GHz2.748 GHz
Boost clock speed5.2 GHz4.06 GHz
Bus typeDMI 4.0no data
Bus rate8 × 16 GT/sno data
Multiplier32no data
L1 cache80K (per core)no data
L2 cache1.25 MB (per core)no data
L3 cache30 MB (shared)no data
Chip lithographyIntel 7 nm3 nm
Die size215.25 mm2no data
Maximum core temperature100 °Cno data
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
Number of transistorsno data92000 Million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility+no data
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-12900KF and Apple M3 Max 16-Core 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 Watt78 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-12900KF and Apple M3 Max 16-Core. 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 Apple M3 Max 16-Core 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 Apple M3 Max 16-Core 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 Apple M3 Max 16-Core. 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 M3 Max 40-Core GPU

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-12900KF and Apple M3 Max 16-Core.

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
+0.2%
Apple M3 Max 16-Core 25.82

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 41117
+0.3%
Apple M3 Max 16-Core 41010

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 25.88 25.82
Recency 4 November 2021 30 October 2023
Threads 24 16
Power consumption (TDP) 125 Watt 78 Watt

i9-12900KF has a 0.2% higher aggregate performance score, and 50% more threads.

Apple M3 Max 16-Core, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 1 year, and 60.3% lower power consumption.

Given the minimal performance differences, no clear winner can be declared between Core i9-12900KF and Apple M3 Max 16-Core.

Note that Core i9-12900KF is a desktop processor while Apple M3 Max 16-Core is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-12900KF and Apple M3 Max 16-Core, 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 i9-12900KF
Core i9-12900KF
Apple M3 Max 16-Core
M3 Max 16-Core

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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