Apple M1 vs Intel Core i7-7700

The Intel Core i7-7700, internally known as Kaby Lake S, was introduced in the first quarter of 2017 as a desktop processor for general productivity.

The Apple M1, which launched in late 2020, is Apple's first ARM-based chip for Mac computers, designed for high energy efficiency and integrated performance within the Apple ecosystem.

The Intel Core i7-7700 is manufactured using a 14 nm process and offers 4 cores, 8 threads, and 8 MB of Level 3 cache. The Apple M1, on the other hand, uses the more modern 5 nm process and integrates 8 cores, divided into 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores, with 16 MB of Level 2 cache.

In single-core benchmarks like Cinebench R23 and Geekbench 6, the Apple M1 outperforms the Intel Core i7-7700 by over 80 percent. The M1 also shows clearly higher values in multi-core tasks, with more than a 35 percent lead in Cinebench R23 and over 100 percent in Geekbench 6. For Cinebench 2024, values are only available for the Apple M1.

For gaming scenarios, the Intel Core i7-7700 offers Intel HD Graphics 630 and PCIe 3.0, which usually requires a dedicated graphics card for demanding games. The Apple M1 integrates a more powerful Apple M1 (8 Core) graphics unit and supports PCIe 4.0. The M1 thus offers a better integrated graphics solution, but gaming performance strongly depends on macOS optimization.

As a desktop processor, the Intel Core i7-7700 has higher power consumption. The Apple M1 is known for its superior energy efficiency, which results in significantly lower power consumption and heat generation. The Intel Core i7-7700 is an older, used model primarily available on the second-hand market and relevant for existing Windows systems.

The Apple M1 is not sold individually but is an integral part of Mac systems; its price-performance ratio must be evaluated in the context of the overall device. The Intel Core i7-7700 is suitable for existing Windows platforms and wide software compatibility. The Apple M1 is superior for high single-core performance, energy efficiency, and seamless Apple integration, especially for new purchases or demanding tasks.