Apple M1 Max vs Core 2 Quad Q9550

Place in the ranking	2171	534
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Market segment	Desktop processor	Laptop
Series	Core 2 Quad (Desktop)	Apple M-Series
Power efficiency	1.46	no data
Architecture codename	Yorkfield (2007−2009)	no data
Release date	no data	18 October 2021 (3 years ago)

Detailed specifications

Core 2 Quad (Desktop) Q9550 and M1 Max 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 cores	4 (Quad-Core)	10 (Deca-Core)
Threads	4	10
Base clock speed	no data	2.06 GHz
Boost clock speed	2.83 GHz	3.22 GHz
Bus rate	1333 MHz	no data
L1 cache	64K (per core)	2.9 MB
L2 cache	12288 KB	28 MB
L3 cache	0 KB	48 MB
Chip lithography	45 nm	5 nm
Die size	2x 107 mm²	no data
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	71 °C	no data
Number of transistors	820 million	57000 Million
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	no data

Compatibility

Information on Core 2 Quad (Desktop) Q9550 and M1 Max 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 configuration	1	no data
Socket	LGA775	no data
Power consumption (TDP)	95 Watt	no data

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core 2 Quad (Desktop) Q9550 and M1 Max. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)

no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core 2 Quad (Desktop) Q9550 and M1 Max. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types

DDR1,DDR2,DDR3

no data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card

no data

Apple M1 Max 32-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 Quad Q9550 1.47

Apple M1 Max 13.91
+846%

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 Quad Q9550 2338

Apple M1 Max 22100
+845%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary

Performance score	1.47	13.91
Physical cores	4	10
Threads	4	10
Chip lithography	45 nm	5 nm

Apple M1 Max has a 846.3% higher aggregate performance score, 150% more physical cores and 150% more threads, and a 800% more advanced lithography process.

The M1 Max is our recommended choice as it beats the Core 2 Quad Q9550 in performance tests.

Note that Core 2 Quad Q9550 is a desktop processor while Apple M1 Max is a notebook one.

Should you still have questions on choice between Core 2 Quad Q9550 and Apple M1 Max, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.