Core i9-10900T vs M2

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.

Core i9-10900T vs M2 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i9-10900T vs M2: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i9-10900T

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 630, while M2 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (14,727 vs 14,933).
❌Launch MSRP is still $120 MSRP, while M2 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌75% higher power demand at 35W vs 20W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while M2 moves to none and DDR5.

M2

2022

Why buy it

✅+1.4% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 20W instead of 35W, a 15W reduction.
✅Newer platform on none with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-10900T across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-10900T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is M2 better than Core i9-10900T?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-10900T is ahead with a 12.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, M2 pulls ahead with 1.4% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, M2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

M2 is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i9-10900T is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. M2 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $120 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i9-10900T is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 12.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i9-10900T is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (122.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Core i9-10900T can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap, but on MSRP alone you would want to find it meaningfully cheaper in real-world listings before that path becomes easy to justify.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

M2 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2020), a healthier platform with none and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 10/20. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-10900T vs M2 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i9-10900T

The Core i9-10900T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2020 (5 years ago). It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 14,727 points. Launch price was $149.

M2

The M2 is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 10 June 2022 (3 years ago). It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.424 GHz, with boost up to 3.48 GHz. L2 cache: 20 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 20 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 14,933 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-10900T packs 10 cores / 20 threads, while the M2 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core i9-10900T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i9-10900T versus 3.48 GHz on the M2 — a 27.7% clock advantage for the Core i9-10900T (base: 1.9 GHz vs 2.424 GHz). In PassMark, the Core i9-10900T scores 14,727 against the M2's 14,933 — a 1.4% lead for the M2.

Feature	Core i9-10900T	M2
Cores / Threads	10 / 20+25%	8 / 8
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+32%	3.48 GHz
Base Clock	1.9 GHz	2.424 GHz+28%
L3 Cache	20 MB Intel® Smart Cache	—
L2 Cache	—	20 MB
Process	14 nm	5 nm-64%
PassMark	14,727	14,933+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,710	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	7,476	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-10900T uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the M2 uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i9-10900T	M2
Socket	LGA1200	none
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2933	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: Yes (Core i9-10900T) / not specified (M2). The Core i9-10900T includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the M2 requires a dedicated GPU.