Core i9-11900F vs M1 Max

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 i9-11900F vs M1 Max 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 i9-11900F vs M1 Max: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-11900F

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +22.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (22,052 vs 22,146).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 48 MB).
❌132.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 28W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while M1 Max moves to none and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while M1 Max can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

M1 Max

2021

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (48 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Draws 28W instead of 65W, a 37W reduction.
✅Newer platform on none with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with M1 Max GPU, while Core i9-11900F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-11900F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is M1 Max better than Core i9-11900F?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-11900F is ahead with a 22.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, M1 Max pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. M1 Max also has the bigger cache pool with 200% larger total L3 cache (48 MB vs 16 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, M1 Max is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 10 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 200% larger total L3 cache (48 MB vs 16 MB).

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

M1 Max still makes the most sense overall. M1 Max comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Core i9-11900F can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

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

M1 Max makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a healthier platform with none and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, 200% larger total L3 cache (48 MB vs 16 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 10 threads instead of 8/16. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i9-11900F vs M1 Max Technical Specifications

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

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.

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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)+814%	28 MB
Process	14 nm	5 nm-64%
Architecture	Rocket Lake (2021)	—
PassMark	22,052	22,146

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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	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	0

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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.