Apple M1 Max vs Intel Core i7-12700K

Processor comparisons 21-10-2022

   Let's say you can't decide which CPU to buy, you can make a choice after reading the detailed tests Apple M1 Max vs Intel Core i7-12700K and decide which is better for games or simple use for video editing, programming, rendering, machine learning, streaming. Here is all information from real video editing and streaming tests or many benchmarks. A step-by-step analysis of all the specifications, to make it easier to read, is made by the table.
   From the video comparison, you can get the results of parallel examination in synthetic type tests like PassMark, DaVinci Resolve Studio, AIDA64, Dolphin Emulator, WPrime, Furmark, Handbrake, RealBench, Blender, UserBenchmark, VeraCrypt, Prime95, Blender, Cinebench 23 (20, 15), MATLAB, SuperPi, World of Tanks enCore Benchmark, GeekBench 6, 5.2, 3DMark, 7zip, PCMark 10, Gears 5.
   Gaming performance of CPUs in:

Fallout 76
Watch Dogs Legion
Halo Infinite
Cyberpunk 2077
Valheim
Red Dead Redemption 2
Apex Legends
Grand Theft Auto V
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Warzone
World of Warcraft: Shadowlands
Assassin's Creed Valhalla
Valorant
DOOM: Eternal
Borderlands 3
Last Man Standing
Overwatch
Rainbow Six Siege
Fortnite
Death Stranding

After reading the results of parallel benchmarks and videos, you already be able to know which CPU is better to buy for gaming Intel Core i7-12700K or Apple M1 Max.

Summary benchmark results

As a percentage of the maximum value based on a sample from the entire base of all processors
Processor Benchmark

M1 Max

60%

Core i7-12700K

63%

This parameter shows the performance of the processors in single-threaded and multi-threaded mode. In this comparison, Core i7-12700K is 4% better than M1 Max. The data source is several popular tests. More detailed information of the benchmarks is below.

Gaming performance
Summary result of all game benchmarks.

M1 Max

57%

Core i7-12700K

59%

For the maximum in this test, the results of the most powerful processor in the site database are taken. And of course, this is a server processor, on which no one will run games. Because this processor costs several tens of thousands of dollars. And if it seems to you that the selected CPU has a low game result, just look at the FPS that it produces in real games in the summary table below.
List of other games in which CPU comparisons were performed: Metro Exodus, League of Legends (LOL), Horizon Zero Dawn, Resident Evil 7 Biohazard, Hitman 3, Half-Life: Alyx, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS GO), Battlefield V, Forza Horizon 4, NBA 2K20, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG), Control, DOTA 2A, Monster Hunter World, Ghostrunner, Microsoft Flight Simulator, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Shadow of the Tomb Raider.

Gaming benchmark

Fortnite	101.3	105.4
Valorant	115.1	119.8
Cyberpunk 2077	64.5	67.1
Apex Legends	108.2	112.6
Call of Duty Warzone	86.3	89.8
Overwatch	93.2	97.0
Red Dead Redemption 2	79.4	82.7
DOOM Eternal	57.6	59.9
Warzone	89.8	93.4
Assassin's Creed	96.7	100.6
Valheim	95.5	99.4

The numbers in this table indicate the maximum FPS that was received on the device with the corresponding processor. Depending on the configuration of the computer (RAM size and Video Card) and graphics quality settings (Ultra, Medium, Normal), the results may differ quite significantly. We recommend that you better study the results of the Cinebench, GeekBench and Passmark becnmarks.
The computers participating in the comparisons not only were the equipped with different video cards and different amounts of RAM. But users also tested them at different screen resolutions: 4K, 2K or FullHD. Therefore, the game benchmark data is approximate. But all video cards met the average system requirements of games. You will get more accurate information about how powerful the processor will be in games, if you get acquainted with the benchmarks that are made with the same video card that is installed in your computer.

Power consumption

M1 Max

332%

Core i7-12700K

56%

To make a final resolution on which processor is better, you should also consider the generation of its core. The newer the processor generation, the better its performance in games and benchmarks, as well as its energy efficiency. In this case the M1 Max is more energy efficient than the Core i7-12700K as it consumes less power: 18W vs. 125W. Power consumption is especially important for laptops. Also, when choosing a processor cooling system, you need to know its TDP. You need to buy a cooler that has the TDP data specified in the specification was greater than the TDP of the compared processor.

Software benchmarks

For example you plan to use the processor not only for gaming, but also for programming, machine learning, streaming, video rendering or video editing, then the main parameter for you is its performance in multi-threaded mode. In this mode, the CPU turns on all cores and threads that it has to the maximum to reach maximum efficiency. You will learn this data from the benchmark tables below. Before you take into account the data from these tests, be sure to check whether the program you are going to use on your computer supports multi-threaded mode. Since there are still many programs that can use only one core to work, and all the advantages of multi-core mode are unused.

Cinebench 23, 20 an 15
The results of this benchmark show Single-threaded and Multi-threaded CPU performance

	Apple M1 Max	Intel Core i7-12700K
Cinbench 15 Single-core	313	569
Cinbench 15 Multi-core	1811	4145
Cinbench 20 Single-core	617	1358
Cinbench 20 Multi-core	3106	9408
Cinbench 23 Single-core	2360	3179
Cinbench 23 Multi-core	12204	31015

Passmark
This popular benchmark displays Multi-threaded and Single-threaded processor performance

	Apple M1 Max	Intel Core i7-12700K
Single-Core	5344	7441
Multi-Core	34572	43423

GeekBench 6, 5.2
This benchmark shows Multi-threaded and Single-threaded processor performance

	Apple M1 Max	Intel Core i7-12700K
Single-Core	1793	2117
Multi-Core	13028	17079

Comparison of specifications

In the specification comparison table, the most helpful will be the the possibility of overclocking it and release date of the processor. The newer the processor, the longer it will last you. And the easier it will be to upgrade the system later. The same can be said about overclocking. If the processor can be overclocked, thereby increasing its performance, then it will still be able to produce maximum FPS in the newest games. The savings are obvious! Accordingly, you do not need to buy a new CPU to enjoy the games any longer.

	Apple M1 Max	Intel Core i7-12700K
Announcement date	October 07, 2021	January 07, 2022
Type	Laptop;Desktop	Desktop
Socket	M1	FCLGA1700
Core name	8x Firestorm and 2x Icestorm	Alder Lake
Architecture	hybrid (big.LITTLE)	x86
Generation	1	12
Turbo Frequency		5 MHz
Frequency	3.2 MHz	3.8 MHz
Cores	10	12
Threads	10	20
Bus rate		8 GT/s
Bit	64	64
Lithography	5 nm	7 nm
Transistors count	57000 millions	10200 millions
Power consumption (TDP)	18 W	125 W
Memory type	LPDDR5 - Up to 6400MHz	Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s
Max. Memory	64 Gb	128 Gb
Memory Frequency	6400
Memory bandwidth	409 GByte/s	76.8 GB/s
L1 cache	4MB
L2 cache	24MB	12 MB
L3 cache	48MB	25 MB
Overclocking	No	No
Supports ECC	No	No
Part number	APL1105

In this comparison block, you should pay attention to the differences in clock speed and the number of cores. Here Core i7-12700K is 15% better than M1 Max in terms of CPU frequency. Another difference is that Core i7-12700K has 2 more core than M1 Max. Also keep in mind that high CPU frequency affects battery life through power consumption (relevant for laptops).

Result:
The number of parameters for which Apple M1 Max is better: 7
The number of parameters for which Intel Core i7-12700K is better: 30
Although it should be understood that the summary data that you have looked at here do not mean that you should be guided entirely by them and trust a simple comparison of these figures. Be sure to watch benchmarks video and read the opinion of of people who bought Apple M1 Max and Intel Core i7-12700K before making a decision which CPU to buy for gaming and which not.

Apple M1 Max - all data

• Cinebench r15 score
• Cinebench r20 score
• Cinebench r23 score
• GeekBench 6, 5.2 score

• Apple M1 Max specs and review.

Intel Core i7-12700K - all data

• Cinebench r15 score
• Cinebench r20 score
• Cinebench r23 score
• GeekBench 6, 5.2 score

• Intel Core i7-12700K specs and review.