Apple M2 Pro 10-Core vs i7-6900K

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-6900K
2016
8 cores / 16 threads, 140 Watt
9.11
Apple M2 Pro 10-Core
2023
10 cores / 10 threads, 2424 Watt
13.70
+50.4%

Apple M2 Pro 10-Core outperforms Core i7-6900K by an impressive 50% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-6900K and Apple M2 Pro 10-Core processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking834537
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation1.04no data
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
Seriesno dataApple M-Series
Power efficiency6.16no data
Architecture codenameBroadwell-E (2016)no data
Release date31 May 2016 (8 years ago)17 January 2023 (1 year ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,020no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-6900K and Apple M2 Pro 10-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 cores8 (Octa-Core)10 (Deca-Core)
Threads1610
Base clock speed3.2 GHz2.424 GHz
Boost clock speed4 GHz3.7 GHz
L1 cache32 KB (per core)7.3 MB
L2 cache256 KB (per core)36 MB
L3 cache20 MB (shared)24 MB
Chip lithography14 nm5 nm
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
Number of transistorsno data40000 Million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-no data
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-6900K and Apple M2 Pro 10-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
SocketFCLGA2011no data
Power consumption (TDP)140 Watt2424 ‑ 3696 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-6900K and Apple M2 Pro 10-Core. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

AES-NI+-
AVX+-
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)+no data
Turbo Boost Technology2.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
Idle States+no data
Smart Response+no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0+no data

Security technologies

Core i7-6900K and Apple M2 Pro 10-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 i7-6900K and Apple M2 Pro 10-Core are enumerated here.

VT-d+no data
VT-x+no data
EPT+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-6900K and Apple M2 Pro 10-Core. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4no data
Maximum memory size128 GBno data
Max memory channels4no data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataApple M2 Pro 16-Core GPU

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-6900K and Apple M2 Pro 10-Core.

PCIe version3.0no data
PCI Express lanes40no data

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.

i7-6900K 9.11
Apple M2 Pro 10-Core 13.70
+50.4%

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.

i7-6900K 14470
Apple M2 Pro 10-Core 21762
+50.4%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 9.11 13.70
Recency 31 May 2016 17 January 2023
Physical cores 8 10
Threads 16 10
Chip lithography 14 nm 5 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 140 Watt 2424 Watt

i7-6900K has 60% more threads, and 1631.4% lower power consumption.

Apple M2 Pro 10-Core, on the other hand, has a 50.4% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 6 years, 25% more physical cores, and a 180% more advanced lithography process.

The Apple M2 Pro 10-Core is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-6900K in performance tests.

Note that Core i7-6900K is a desktop processor while Apple M2 Pro 10-Core is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-6900K and Apple M2 Pro 10-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 i7-6900K
Core i7-6900K
Apple M2 Pro 10-Core
M2 Pro 10-Core

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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