Apple M1 vs i7-990X EE
Aggregate performance score
Apple M1 outperforms Core i7-990X EE by a significant 24% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing Core i7-990X EE and Apple M1 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in the ranking | 1391 | 1206 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Market segment | Desktop processor | Laptop |
| Series | Core i7 (Desktop) | Apple Apple M-Series |
| Power efficiency | 3.02 | no data |
| Architecture codename | Gulftown (2010−2011) | no data |
| Release date | no data | 10 November 2020 (4 years ago) |
Detailed specifications
Core i7-990X EE and Apple M1 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 | 6 (Hexa-Core) | 8 (Octa-Core) |
| Threads | 12 | 8 |
| Base clock speed | no data | 2.064 GHz |
| Boost clock speed | 3.73 GHz | 3.2 GHz |
| Bus rate | 6400 MHz | no data |
| L1 cache | no data | 2 MB |
| L2 cache | no data | 16 MB |
| L3 cache | no data | 16 MB |
| Chip lithography | 32 nm | 5 nm |
| Number of transistors | no data | 16000 Million |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
| Windows 11 compatibility | - | - |
Compatibility
Information on Core i7-990X EE and Apple M1 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.
| Socket | LGA-1366 | no data |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 130 Watt | no data |
Graphics specifications
General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.
| Integrated graphics card | no data | Apple M1 8-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.
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.
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 4.17 | 5.17 |
| Physical cores | 6 | 8 |
| Threads | 12 | 8 |
| Chip lithography | 32 nm | 5 nm |
i7-990X EE has 50% more threads.
Apple M1, on the other hand, has a 24% higher aggregate performance score, 33.3% more physical cores, and a 540% more advanced lithography process.
The Apple M1 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-990X EE in performance tests.
Note that Core i7-990X EE is a desktop processor while Apple M1 is a notebook one.
Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-990X EE and Apple M1, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
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