
Core i9-11900F vs M1 Max

Core i9-11900F

M1 Max
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 i9-11900F
Performance Per Dollar M1 Max
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i9-11900F | M1 Max |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($358.87) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Rocket Lake (2021) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 5 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i9-11900F | M1 Max |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($358.87) | ✅ 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 i9-11900F and M1 Max

Core i9-11900F
The Core i9-11900F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 22,052 points. Launch price was $299.
M1 Max
The M1 Max is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 18 October 2021 (4 years ago). It features 10 cores and 10 threads. Base frequency is 2.06 GHz, with boost up to 3.22 GHz. L3 cache: 48 MB. L2 cache: 28 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 MB + 48 MB. Memory support: LPDDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 22,146 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
The Core i9-11900F packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the M1 Max offers 10 cores / 10 threads — the M1 Max has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i9-11900F versus 3.22 GHz on the M1 Max — a 45.2% clock advantage for the Core i9-11900F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.06 GHz). The Core i9-11900F is built on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i9-11900F scores 22,052 against the M1 Max's 22,146 — a 0.4% lead for the M1 Max. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-11900F vs 48 MB on the M1 Max.
| Feature | Core i9-11900F | M1 Max |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 16 | 10 / 10+25% |
| Boost Clock | 5.1 GHz+58% | 3.22 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz+21% | 2.06 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 16 MB (total) | 48 MB+200% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 28 MB+11100% |
| Process | 14 nm | 5 nm-64% |
| Architecture | Rocket Lake (2021) | — |
| PassMark | 22,052 | 22,146 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i9-11900F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the M1 Max uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i9-11900F | M1 Max |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1200 | none |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | LPDDR5-6400 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 8 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 0 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core i9-11900F) / ARM-V (M1 Max). The M1 Max includes integrated graphics (M1 Max GPU), while the Core i9-11900F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: M1 Max targets Mobile Workstation.
| Feature | Core i9-11900F | M1 Max |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | M1 Max GPU |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | ARM-V |
| Target Use | — | Mobile Workstation |
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