Apple M3 Max 14-Core vs i9-9940X

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Aggregate performance score

Core i9-9940X
2018
14 cores / 28 threads, 165 Watt
17.62
Apple M3 Max 14-Core
2023
14 cores / 14 threads, 78 Watt
22.98
+30.4%

Apple M3 Max 14-Core outperforms Core i9-9940X by a substantial 30% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i9-9940X and Apple M3 Max 14-Core processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking356226
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation5.29no data
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
SeriesIntel Core i9Apple M3
Power efficiency10.1127.88
Architecture codenameSkylake (server) (2017−2018)no data
Release date19 October 2018 (6 years ago)30 October 2023 (1 year ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,387no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i9-9940X and Apple M3 Max 14-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 cores14 (Tetradeca-Core)14 (Tetradeca-Core)
Threads2814
Base clock speed3.3 GHz2.748 GHz
Boost clock speed4.5 GHz4.06 GHz
Bus typeDMI 3.0no data
Bus rate4 × 8 GT/sno data
Multiplier33no data
L1 cache64 KB (per core)no data
L2 cache1 MB (per core)no data
L3 cache19.25 MB (shared)no data
Chip lithography14 nm3 nm
Die size484 mm2no data
Maximum core temperature88 °Cno data
Number of transistorsno data92000 Million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility+no data
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-9940X and Apple M3 Max 14-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 configuration1 (Uniprocessor)no data
SocketFCLGA2066no data
Power consumption (TDP)165 Watt78 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-9940X and Apple M3 Max 14-Core. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512no data
AES-NI+-
AVX+-
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)+no data
Turbo Boost Technology2.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
TSX+-
Turbo Boost Max 3.0+no data

Security technologies

Core i9-9940X and Apple M3 Max 14-Core technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

EDB+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-9940X and Apple M3 Max 14-Core are enumerated here.

VT-d+no data
VT-x+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-9940X and Apple M3 Max 14-Core. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4-2666no data
Maximum memory size128 GBno data
Max memory channels4no data
Maximum memory bandwidth85.33 GB/sno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardN/AApple M3 Max 30-Core GPU

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-9940X and Apple M3 Max 14-Core.

PCIe version3.0no data
PCI Express lanes44no 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.

i9-9940X 17.62
Apple M3 Max 14-Core 22.98
+30.4%

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.

i9-9940X 27995
Apple M3 Max 14-Core 36505
+30.4%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 17.62 22.98
Recency 19 October 2018 30 October 2023
Threads 28 14
Chip lithography 14 nm 3 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 165 Watt 78 Watt

i9-9940X has 100% more threads.

Apple M3 Max 14-Core, on the other hand, has a 30.4% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 5 years, a 366.7% more advanced lithography process, and 111.5% lower power consumption.

The Apple M3 Max 14-Core is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i9-9940X in performance tests.

Note that Core i9-9940X is a desktop processor while Apple M3 Max 14-Core is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-9940X and Apple M3 Max 14-Core, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

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Intel Core i9-9940X
Core i9-9940X
Apple M3 Max 14-Core
M3 Max 14-Core

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Community ratings

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3.7 38 votes

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Questions & comments

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