Apple M2 Max vs i9-9900X

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i9-9900X
2018
10 cores / 20 threads, 165 Watt
13.74
Apple M2 Max
2023
12 cores / 12 threads, 79 Watt
16.81
+22.3%

Apple M2 Max outperforms Core i9-9900X by a significant 22% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i9-9900X and M2 Max processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking542394
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation5.08no data
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
SeriesIntel Core i9Apple M-Series
Power efficiency7.8820.12
Architecture codenameSkylake (server) (2017−2018)no data
Release date19 October 2018 (6 years ago)17 January 2023 (1 year ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$989no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i9-9900X and M2 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 cores10 (Deca-Core)12 (Dodeca-Core)
Threads2012
Base clock speed3.5 GHz2.424 GHz
Boost clock speed4.5 GHz3.7 GHz
Bus typeDMI 3.0no data
Bus rate4 × 8 GT/sno data
Multiplier35no data
L1 cache64 KB (per core)3.3 MB
L2 cache1 MB (per core)36 MB
L3 cache19.25 MB (shared)48 MB
Chip lithography14 nm5 nm
Maximum core temperature92 °Cno data
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
Number of transistorsno data67000 Million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility+no data
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-9900X and M2 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 configuration1 (Uniprocessor)no data
SocketFCLGA2066no data
Power consumption (TDP)165 Watt79 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-9900X and M2 Max. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512no data
AES-NI+-
AVX+-
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)+no data
Turbo Boost Technology2.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
TSX+-
Turbo Boost Max 3.0+no data

Security technologies

Core i9-9900X and M2 Max technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

EDB+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-9900X and M2 Max are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-9900X and M2 Max. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4-2666no data
Maximum memory size128 GBno data
Max memory channels4no data
Maximum memory bandwidth85.33 GB/sno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardN/AApple M2 Max 38-Core GPU

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-9900X and M2 Max.

PCIe version3.0no data
PCI Express lanes44no 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.

i9-9900X 13.74
Apple M2 Max 16.81
+22.3%

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.

i9-9900X 21821
Apple M2 Max 26697
+22.3%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 13.74 16.81
Recency 19 October 2018 17 January 2023
Physical cores 10 12
Threads 20 12
Chip lithography 14 nm 5 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 165 Watt 79 Watt

i9-9900X has 66.7% more threads.

Apple M2 Max, on the other hand, has a 22.3% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 4 years, 20% more physical cores, a 180% more advanced lithography process, and 108.9% lower power consumption.

The M2 Max is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i9-9900X in performance tests.

Note that Core i9-9900X is a desktop processor while Apple M2 Max is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-9900X and Apple M2 Max, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

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Intel Core i9-9900X
Core i9-9900X
Apple M2 Max
M2 Max

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Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i9-9900X or M2 Max, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.