M4 (10 cores) vs Core i9-7920X
M4 (10 cores)
Core i9-7920X
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 M4 (10 cores)
Performance Per Dollar Core i9-7920X
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | M4 (10 cores) | Core i9-7920X |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | Balanced gaming performance | Balanced gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($236) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 3 nm) | ✨ Modern (Skylake (server) (2017−2018) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | M4 (10 cores) | Core i9-7920X |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($236) |
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 M4 (10 cores) and Core i9-7920X
M4 (10 cores)
The M4 (10 cores) is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 7 May 2024 (1 year ago). It features 10 cores and 10 threads. Base frequency is 2.89 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 4 MB. Memory support: LPDDR5x. Passmark benchmark score: 23,784 points. Launch price was $299.
Core i9-7920X
The Core i9-7920X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 September 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 16.5 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: 23,508 points. Launch price was $1,199.
Processing Power
The M4 (10 cores) packs 10 cores / 10 threads, while the Core i9-7920X offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Core i9-7920X has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the M4 (10 cores) versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i9-7920X — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.89 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i9-7920X is built on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. In PassMark, the M4 (10 cores) scores 23,784 against the Core i9-7920X's 23,508 — a 1.2% lead for the M4 (10 cores).
| Feature | M4 (10 cores) | Core i9-7920X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 10 / 10 | 12 / 24+20% |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz | 4.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.89 GHz | 2.9 GHz |
| L3 Cache | — | 16.5 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 4 MB+300% | 1 MB (per core) |
| Process | 3 nm-79% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | — | Skylake (server) (2017−2018) |
| PassMark | 23,784+1% | 23,508 |
Memory & Platform
The M4 (10 cores) uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i9-7920X uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | M4 (10 cores) | Core i9-7920X |
|---|---|---|
| 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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