M1 Pro vs Core i7-7820X
M1 Pro
Core i7-7820X
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 M1 Pro
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-7820X
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | M1 Pro | Core i7-7820X |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($198) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 5 nm) | ✨ Modern (Skylake (server) (2017−2018) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | M1 Pro | Core i7-7820X |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($198) |
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 M1 Pro and Core i7-7820X
M1 Pro
The M1 Pro is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 18 October 2021 (4 years ago). It features 10 cores and 10 threads. Base frequency is 2.064 GHz, with boost up to 3.22 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB. L2 cache: 28 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 MB + 24 MB. Memory support: LPDDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 17,218 points. Launch price was $299.
Core i7-7820X
The Core i7-7820X 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 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 11 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 17,171 points. Launch price was $599.
Processing Power
The M1 Pro packs 10 cores / 10 threads, while the Core i7-7820X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the M1 Pro has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.22 GHz on the M1 Pro versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-7820X — a 33.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-7820X (base: 2.064 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i7-7820X is built on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. In PassMark, the M1 Pro scores 17,218 against the Core i7-7820X's 17,171 — a 0.3% lead for the M1 Pro. L3 cache: 24 MB on the M1 Pro vs 11 MB (total) on the Core i7-7820X.
| Feature | M1 Pro | Core i7-7820X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 10 / 10+25% | 8 / 16 |
| Boost Clock | 3.22 GHz | 4.5 GHz+40% |
| Base Clock | 2.064 GHz | 3.6 GHz+74% |
| L3 Cache | 24 MB+118% | 11 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 28 MB+2700% | 1 MB (per core) |
| Process | 5 nm-64% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | — | Skylake (server) (2017−2018) |
| PassMark | 17,218 | 17,171 |
Memory & Platform
The M1 Pro uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i7-7820X uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | M1 Pro | Core i7-7820X |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | none | LGA2066 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0+33% | PCIe 3.0 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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