Core i9-7900X vs M4 (8 cores)
Core i9-7900X
M4 (8 cores)
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 i9-7900X
Performance Per Dollar M4 (8 cores)
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i9-7900X | M4 (8 cores) |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($188) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Skylake (server) (2017−2018) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 3 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i9-7900X | M4 (8 cores) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($188) | ✅ 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 i9-7900X and M4 (8 cores)
Core i9-7900X
The Core i9-7900X 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 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 14 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 20,907 points. Launch price was $999.
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.
Processing Power
The Core i9-7900X packs 10 cores / 20 threads, while the M4 (8 cores) offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core i9-7900X has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i9-7900X versus 4 GHz on the M4 (8 cores) — a 11.8% clock advantage for the Core i9-7900X (base: 3.3 GHz vs 2.89 GHz). The Core i9-7900X is built on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i9-7900X scores 20,907 against the M4 (8 cores)'s 20,761 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i9-7900X.
| Feature | Core i9-7900X | M4 (8 cores) |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 10 / 20+25% | 8 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 4.5 GHz+13% | 4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.3 GHz+14% | 2.89 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 14 MB (total) | — |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | — |
| Process | 14 nm | 3 nm-79% |
| Architecture | Skylake (server) (2017−2018) | — |
| PassMark | 20,907 | 20,761 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,323 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 8,536 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i9-7900X uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the M4 (8 cores) uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i9-7900X | M4 (8 cores) |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2011 | none |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 4.0+33% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2666 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 4 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 44 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-7900X) / not specified (M4 (8 cores)). Primary use case: Core i9-7900X targets High-End Desktop.
| Feature | Core i9-7900X | M4 (8 cores) |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | — |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | — |
| AVX-512 | Yes | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
| Target Use | High-End Desktop | — |
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