Core i7-7820X vs M1 Pro 8-Core
Core i7-7820X
M1 Pro 8-Core
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-7820X
Performance Per Dollar M1 Pro 8-Core
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-7820X | M1 Pro 8-Core |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($198) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Skylake (server) (2017−2018) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 5 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-7820X | M1 Pro 8-Core |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($198) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-7820X and M1 Pro 8-Core
Core i7-7820X
The Core i7-7820X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 11 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 17,171 points. Launch price was $599.
M1 Pro 8-Core
The M1 Pro 8-Core is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 18 October 2021 (4 years ago). It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.06 GHz, with boost up to 3.22 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 28 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 MB + 16 MB. Memory support: LPDDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 17,218 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
The Core i7-7820X packs 8 cores / 16 threads, matching the M1 Pro 8-Core's 8 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-7820X versus 3.22 GHz on the M1 Pro 8-Core — a 33.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-7820X (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.06 GHz). The Core i7-7820X is built on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i7-7820X scores 17,171 against the M1 Pro 8-Core's 17,218 — a 0.3% lead for the M1 Pro 8-Core. L3 cache: 11 MB (total) on the Core i7-7820X vs 16 MB on the M1 Pro 8-Core.
| Feature | Core i7-7820X | M1 Pro 8-Core |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 16 | 8 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 4.5 GHz+40% | 3.22 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.6 GHz+75% | 2.06 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 11 MB (total) | 16 MB+45% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 28 MB+2700% |
| Process | 14 nm | 5 nm-64% |
| Architecture | Skylake (server) (2017−2018) | — |
| PassMark | 17,171 | 17,218 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-7820X uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the M1 Pro 8-Core uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i7-7820X | M1 Pro 8-Core |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2066 | none |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 4.0+33% |
| Max RAM Speed | — | LPDDR5-6400 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 4 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 0 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-7820X) / Virtualization (M1 Pro 8-Core). The M1 Pro 8-Core includes integrated graphics (Apple M1 Pro GPU (14-core)), while the Core i7-7820X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: M1 Pro 8-Core targets Mobile.
| Feature | Core i7-7820X | M1 Pro 8-Core |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Apple M1 Pro GPU (14-core) |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | Virtualization |
| Target Use | — | Mobile |
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