Apple M2 Max vs i9-9960X
Aggregate performance score
Core i9-9960X outperforms Apple M2 Max by a moderate 14% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing Core i9-9960X and Apple M2 Max processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in the ranking | 303 | 386 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Cost-effectiveness evaluation | 4.74 | no data |
| Market segment | Desktop processor | Laptop |
| Series | Intel Core i9 | Apple M-Series |
| Power efficiency | 10.93 | 20.10 |
| Architecture codename | Skylake (server) (2017−2018) | no data |
| Release date | 19 October 2018 (6 years ago) | 17 January 2023 (1 year ago) |
| Launch price (MSRP) | $1,684 | no data |
Cost-effectiveness evaluation
Performance per price, higher is better.
Detailed specifications
Core i9-9960X and Apple M2 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 cores | 16 (Hexadeca-Core) | 12 (Dodeca-Core) |
| Threads | 32 | 12 |
| Base clock speed | 3.1 GHz | 2.424 GHz |
| Boost clock speed | 4.5 GHz | 3.7 GHz |
| Bus type | DMI 3.0 | no data |
| Bus rate | 4 × 8 GT/s | no data |
| Multiplier | 31 | no data |
| L1 cache | 64 KB (per core) | 3.3 MB |
| L2 cache | 1 MB (per core) | 36 MB |
| L3 cache | 22 MB (shared) | 48 MB |
| Chip lithography | 14 nm | 5 nm |
| Die size | 484 mm2 | no data |
| Maximum core temperature | 85 °C | no data |
| Number of transistors | no data | 67000 Million |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
| Windows 11 compatibility | + | no data |
| Unlocked multiplier | + | - |
Compatibility
Information on Core i9-9960X and Apple M2 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 configuration | 1 (Uniprocessor) | no data |
| Socket | FCLGA2066 | no data |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 165 Watt | 79 Watt |
Technologies and extensions
Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-9960X and Apple M2 Max. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.
| Instruction set extensions | Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512 | no data |
| AES-NI | + | - |
| AVX | + | - |
| Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST) | + | no data |
| Turbo Boost Technology | 2.0 | no data |
| Hyper-Threading Technology | + | no data |
| TSX | + | - |
| Turbo Boost Max 3.0 | + | no data |
Security technologies
Core i9-9960X and Apple M2 Max technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.
| EDB | + | no data |
Virtualization technologies
Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-9960X and Apple M2 Max are enumerated here.
| VT-d | + | no data |
| VT-x | + | no data |
Memory specs
Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-9960X and Apple M2 Max. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
| Supported memory types | DDR4-2666 | no data |
| Maximum memory size | 128 GB | no data |
| Max memory channels | 4 | no data |
| Maximum memory bandwidth | 85.33 GB/s | no data |
Graphics specifications
General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.
| Integrated graphics card | N/A | Apple M2 Max 38-Core GPU |
Peripherals
Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-9960X and Apple M2 Max.
| PCIe version | 3.0 | no data |
| PCI Express lanes | 44 | no 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.
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.
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 19.05 | 16.78 |
| Recency | 19 October 2018 | 17 January 2023 |
| Physical cores | 16 | 12 |
| Threads | 32 | 12 |
| Chip lithography | 14 nm | 5 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 165 Watt | 79 Watt |
i9-9960X has a 13.5% higher aggregate performance score, and 33.3% more physical cores and 166.7% more threads.
Apple M2 Max, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 4 years, a 180% more advanced lithography process, and 108.9% lower power consumption.
The Core i9-9960X is our recommended choice as it beats the Apple M2 Max in performance tests.
Note that Core i9-9960X is a desktop processor while Apple M2 Max is a notebook one.
Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-9960X and Apple M2 Max, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
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