
M4 (8 cores) vs Xeon Gold 6226

M4 (8 cores)

Xeon Gold 6226
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 (8 cores)
Performance Per Dollar Xeon Gold 6226
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | M4 (8 cores) | Xeon Gold 6226 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 3 nm) | ✨ Modern (Cascade Lake (2019−2020) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | M4 (8 cores) | Xeon Gold 6226 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 (8 cores) and Xeon Gold 6226
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.

Xeon Gold 6226
The Xeon Gold 6226 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 19.25 MB. L2 cache: 12 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 20,619 points. Launch price was $1,776.
Processing Power
The M4 (8 cores) packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6226 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Xeon Gold 6226 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the M4 (8 cores) versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6226 — a 7.8% clock advantage for the M4 (8 cores) (base: 2.89 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6226 is built on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. In PassMark, the M4 (8 cores) scores 20,761 against the Xeon Gold 6226's 20,619 — a 0.7% lead for the M4 (8 cores).
| Feature | M4 (8 cores) | Xeon Gold 6226 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 8 | 12 / 24+50% |
| Boost Clock | 4 GHz+8% | 3.7 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.89 GHz+7% | 2.7 GHz |
| L3 Cache | — | 19.25 MB |
| L2 Cache | — | 12 MB |
| Process | 3 nm-79% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | — | Cascade Lake (2019−2020) |
| PassMark | 20,761 | 20,619 |
Memory & Platform
The M4 (8 cores) uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6226 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | M4 (8 cores) | Xeon Gold 6226 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | none | LGA3647 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0+33% | PCIe 3.0 |
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