Apple M3 Max 14-Core vs Core 2 Duo E6550

Aggregate performance score

Core 2 Duo E6550
2007
2 cores / 2 threads, 65 Watt
0.56
Apple M3 Max 14-Core
2023
14 cores / 14 threads, 78 Watt
23.11
+4027%

Apple M3 Max 14-Core outperforms Core 2 Duo E6550 by a whopping 4027% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core 2 Duo E6550 and Apple M3 Max 14-Core processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking2821224
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
Seriesno dataApple M3
Power efficiency0.8127.92
Architecture codenameConroe (2006−2007)no data
Release dateJuly 2007 (17 years ago)30 October 2023 (1 year ago)

Detailed specifications

Core 2 Duo E6550 and Apple M3 Max 14-Core basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores2 (Dual-core)14 (Tetradeca-Core)
Threads214
Base clock speed2.33 GHz2.748 GHz
Boost clock speed2.33 GHz4.06 GHz
Bus rate1333 MHzno data
L1 cache64 KBno data
L2 cache4 MBno data
L3 cache0 KBno data
Chip lithography65 nm3 nm
Die size143 mm2no data
Maximum core temperature72 °Cno data
Number of transistors291 million92000 Million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-no data
VID voltage range0.85V-1.5Vno data

Compatibility

Information on Core 2 Duo E6550 and Apple M3 Max 14-Core compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration1no data
SocketPLGA775no data
Power consumption (TDP)65 Watt78 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core 2 Duo E6550 and Apple M3 Max 14-Core. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)+no data
Turbo Boost Technology-no data
Hyper-Threading Technology-no data
Idle States+no data
Thermal Monitoring+-
Demand Based Switching-no data
FSB parity-no data

Security technologies

Core 2 Duo E6550 and Apple M3 Max 14-Core technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+no data
EDB+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core 2 Duo E6550 and Apple M3 Max 14-Core are enumerated here.

VT-x+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core 2 Duo E6550 and Apple M3 Max 14-Core. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR1, DDR2, DDR3no data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataApple M3 Max 30-Core GPU

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

Core 2 Duo E6550 0.56
Apple M3 Max 14-Core 23.11
+4027%

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

Core 2 Duo E6550 891
Apple M3 Max 14-Core 36566
+4004%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 0.56 23.11
Physical cores 2 14
Threads 2 14
Chip lithography 65 nm 3 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 65 Watt 78 Watt

Core 2 Duo E6550 has 20% lower power consumption.

Apple M3 Max 14-Core, on the other hand, has a 4026.8% higher aggregate performance score, 600% more physical cores and 600% more threads, and a 2066.7% more advanced lithography process.

The Apple M3 Max 14-Core is our recommended choice as it beats the Core 2 Duo E6550 in performance tests.

Note that Core 2 Duo E6550 is a desktop processor while Apple M3 Max 14-Core is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core 2 Duo E6550 and Apple M3 Max 14-Core, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core 2 Duo E6550
Core 2 Duo E6550
Apple M3 Max 14-Core
M3 Max 14-Core

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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