Apple M2 vs i9-9900KS

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i9-9900KS
2019
8 cores / 16 threads, 127 Watt
12.25
+30.3%
Apple M2
2022
8 cores / 8 threads, 20 Watt
9.40

Core i9-9900KS outperforms Apple M2 by a substantial 30% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i9-9900KS and M2 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking634814
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation10.80no data
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
SeriesIntel Core i9Apple Apple M-Series
Power efficiency9.1244.45
Architecture codenameCoffee Lake-R (2018−2019)no data
Release date28 October 2019 (5 years ago)10 June 2022 (2 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$513no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i9-9900KS 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 cores8 (Octa-Core)8 (Octa-Core)
Threads168
Base clock speed4 GHz2.424 GHz
Boost clock speed5 GHz3.48 GHz
Bus typeDMI 3.0no data
Bus rate4 × 8 GT/sno data
Multiplier40no data
L1 cache64 KB (per core)2 MB
L2 cache256 KB (per core)20 MB
L3 cache16 MB (shared)no data
Chip lithography14 nm5 nm
Die size180 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 i9-9900KS 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 configuration1 (Uniprocessor)no data
SocketFCLGA1151no data
Power consumption (TDP)127 Watt20 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-9900KS 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
Turbo Boost Technology2.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
TSX+-
Idle States+no data
Thermal Monitoring+-
SIPP+-

Security technologies

Core i9-9900KS and M2 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

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

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-9900KS and M2 are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-9900KS and M2. 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 bandwidth42.671 GB/sno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel UHD Graphics 630Apple M2 10-Core GPU ( - 1398 MHz)
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 i9-9900KS and M2 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported3no data

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i9-9900KS and M2 integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution support+no data
Max resolution over HDMI 1.44096 x 2304@24Hzno data
Max resolution over eDP4096 x 2304@60Hzno data
Max resolution over DisplayPort4096 x 2304@60Hzno data

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i9-9900KS and M2 integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX12no data
OpenGL4.5no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-9900KS and M2.

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.

i9-9900KS 12.25
+30.3%
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.

i9-9900KS 19461
+30.3%
Apple M2 14933

Cinebench 15 64-bit multi-core

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

i9-9900KS 2058
+69.4%
Apple M2 1215

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.

i9-9900KS 216
Apple M2 223
+3.2%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 12.25 9.40
Recency 28 October 2019 10 June 2022
Threads 16 8
Chip lithography 14 nm 5 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 127 Watt 20 Watt

i9-9900KS has a 30.3% higher aggregate performance score, and 100% more threads.

Apple M2, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 2 years, a 180% more advanced lithography process, and 535% lower power consumption.

The Core i9-9900KS is our recommended choice as it beats the M2 in performance tests.

Note that Core i9-9900KS is a desktop processor while Apple M2 is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-9900KS and Apple M2, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i9-9900KS
Core i9-9900KS
Apple M2
M2

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i9-9900KS or M2, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.