Core i9-11950H vs M4 (8 cores)

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 i9-11950H vs M4 (8 cores) 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 i9-11950H vs M4 (8 cores): Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-11950H

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +16.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (20,699 vs 20,761).
❌775% higher power demand at 35W vs 4W.
❌Older platform position on FCBGA1787 with DDR4, while M4 (8 cores) moves to none and DDR5.

M4 (8 cores)

2024

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 4W instead of 35W, a 31W reduction.
✅Newer platform on none with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1787 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-11950H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is M4 (8 cores) better than Core i9-11950H?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-11950H is ahead with a 16.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, M4 (8 cores) pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, M4 (8 cores) is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

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

M4 (8 cores) still makes the most sense overall. M4 (8 cores) comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark.

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

M4 (8 cores) makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2021), a healthier platform with none and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1787, and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 8/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-11950H vs M4 (8 cores) Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-11950H

The Core i9-11950H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 May 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1787. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 20,699 points. Launch price was $556.

M4 (8 cores)

The M4 (8 cores) is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 28 October 2024 (1 year ago). It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.89 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 4 MB. Memory support: LPDDR5x. Passmark benchmark score: 20,761 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-11950H packs 8 cores / 16 threads, matching the M4 (8 cores)'s 8 cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i9-11950H versus 4 GHz on the M4 (8 cores) — a 22.2% clock advantage for the Core i9-11950H (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.89 GHz). The Core i9-11950H is built on the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i9-11950H scores 20,699 against the M4 (8 cores)'s 20,761 — a 0.3% lead for the M4 (8 cores).

Feature	Core i9-11950H	M4 (8 cores)
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	8 / 8
Boost Clock	5 GHz+25%	4 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	2.89 GHz+38%
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	—
Process	10 nm SuperFin	3 nm-70%
Architecture	Tiger Lake-H (2021)	—
PassMark	20,699	20,761

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-11950H uses the FCBGA1787 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the M4 (8 cores) uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.