Apple M2 vs Intel Core i9-13900K

Processor comparisons   20-10-2022
   Let's say you can't decide which CPU to buy, you can make a choice by looking at the Apple M2 vs Intel Core i9-13900K tests and understand which is better for games or simple use for rendering, machine learning, streaming, programming, video editing. Here you can find useful information from different benchmarks or real streaming and video editing tests. A step-by-step analysis of all the technical characteristics, to make it easier to understand, is made by the table.
   From the comparison video, you can get the results of joint testing in special test applications like Blender, GeekBench 6, 5.2, 3DMark, PCMark 10, UserBenchmark, Handbrake, VeraCrypt, AIDA64, Blender, DaVinci Resolve Studio, Cinebench 23 (20, 15), 7zip, Prime95, Dolphin Emulator, PassMark, Furmark, MATLAB, WPrime, RealBench, SuperPi, World of Tanks enCore Benchmark, Gears 5.
   Gaming performance of processors in:

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

After reading the results these benchmarks and videos, you already be able to understand which processor is better to buy for gaming Intel Core i9-13900K or Apple M2.

Summary benchmark results

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

59%

Core i9-13900K

68%

The number of this parameter shows the performance of the processors in single-threaded and multi-threaded mode. In this comparison, Core i9-13900K is 13% better than M2. The data source is several popular tests. Detailed information can be found below.

Gaming performance
Summary result of all game benchmarks.

55%

Core i9-13900K

64%

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 play games. Because the cost of this processor reaches 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 final table below.
List of less popular games in which processors were compared: PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG), League of Legends (LOL), Half-Life: Alyx, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Hitman 3, Resident Evil 7 Biohazard, Metro Exodus, DOTA 2A, Microsoft Flight Simulator, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Control, Battlefield V, Ghostrunner, Horizon Zero Dawn, Forza Horizon 4, Monster Hunter World, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS GO), NBA 2K20.

Gaming benchmark

Fortnite	97.4	114.3
Valorant	110.7	129.9
Cyberpunk 2077	62.0	72.7
Apex Legends	104.1	122.1
Call of Duty Warzone	83.0	97.4
Overwatch	89.7	105.2
Red Dead Redemption 2	76.4	89.6
DOOM Eternal	55.4	64.9
Warzone	86.4	101.3
Assassin's Creed	93.0	109.1
Valheim	91.9	107.8

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 tested computers not only did they have different amounts of RAM and different video cards. But users also tested them at different screen resolutions: 2K, 4K or FullHD. Therefore, the game benchmark data is approximate. But all video cards met the average system requirements of games. To be sure exactly how much performance 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

535%

Core i9-13900K

66%

To make a final decision 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 M2 is more energy efficient than the Core i9-13900K as it consumes less power: 12W vs. 125W. Power consumption is particularly important for laptops. Also, when choosing a processor cooling system, it will be useful to know its TDP. It is necessary to count so that the TDP data specified in the cooler specification is 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 machine learning, programming, streaming, video rendering or video editing, then first of all you need to pay attention to the 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 performance. You will find out this data from the benchmark tables below. Before you take into account the data from these tests, be sure to make sure that the program that you are going to use on your computer can work in multi-threaded mode. Since there are still many programs that use only one core to run, and all the benefit of multi-core mode turns out to be unnecessary.
Cinebench 23, 20 an 15
The results of this benchmark show Single-threaded and Multi-threaded CPU performance

	Apple M2	Intel Core i9-13900K
Cinbench 15 Single-core	298	531
Cinbench 15 Multi-core	1586	5603
Cinbench 20 Single-core	558	887
Cinbench 20 Multi-core	2699	12458
Cinbench 23 Single-core	2057	3150
Cinbench 23 Multi-core	10520	35852

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

	Apple M2	Intel Core i9-13900K
Single-Core	4095	2879
Multi-Core	29665	61110

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

	Apple M2	Intel Core i9-13900K
Single-Core	1929	2502
Multi-Core	9243	25761

Comparison of specifications

In the specification comparison table, the most helpful will be the release date of the processor and the possibility of overclocking it. The later the processor is released, the longer it will last in your computer. And the easier it will be to upgrade the system in the future. The same benefits from the presence of overclocking. When the processor can be overclocked, thereby increasing its performance, then it will continue to maintain maximum FPS in new games. Accordingly, you do not need to buy a new CPU to enjoy the games any longer. The savings are obvious!

	Apple M2	Intel Core i9-13900K
Announcement date	October 18, 2022	December 13, 2022
Type	Laptop	Desktop
Socket	M2	FCLGA1700
Core name	4 x Avalanche and 4 x Blizzard	Raptor Lake
Architecture	hybrid (big.LITTLE)	x86
Generation	2	13
Turbo Frequency		5.8 MHz
Frequency	3.49 MHz	4.3 MHz
Cores	8	24
Threads	8	32
Bus rate		16 GT/s
Bit	64	64
Lithography	5 nm	7 nm
Transistors count	20000 millions	14200 millions
Power consumption (TDP)	12 W	125 W
Memory type	LPDDR5 - Up to 6400MHz	Up to DDR5 5600 MT/s Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s
Max. Memory		128 Gb
Memory Frequency	2400	6500
Memory bandwidth		89.6 GB/s
L1 cache	2MB	2 MB
L2 cache	12MB	8 MB
L3 cache	16MB	36 MB
Overclocking	No	yes
Supports ECC	No	Yes
Part number		Expansion Options

In this comparison block, you should pay attention to the differences in clock speed and the number of cores. Here Core i9-13900K is 18% better than M2 in terms of CPU frequency. Another difference is that Core i9-13900K has 16 more core than M2. 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 M2 is better: 5
The number of parameters for which Intel Core i9-13900K is better: 33
However, it should be understood that all the data in the table above do not mean that taking them into account you should fully trust a simple comparison of these numbers. Be sure to watch the testing video and read the opinion of real owners of Apple M2 and Intel Core i9-13900K before making a decision which of the CPUs to buy for gaming.

Apple M2 - all data

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

• Apple M2 specs and review.

Intel Core i9-13900K - all data

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

• Intel Core i9-13900K specs and review.