Apple M2 | Intel Core i5-12600 | |
CPU comparisonIn this CPU comparison, we compare the Apple M2 and the Intel Core i5-12600 and use benchmarks to check which processor is faster.
We compare the Apple M2 8 core processor released in Q2/2022 with the Intel Core i5-12600 which has 6 CPU cores and was introduced in Q1/2022. |
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Apple M series (23) | Family | Intel Core i5 (328) |
Apple M2 (8) | CPU group | Intel Core i 12000 (34) |
2 | Generation | 12 |
M2 | Architecture | Alder Lake S |
Mobile | Segment | Desktop / Server |
Apple M1 | Predecessor | Intel Core i5-11600 |
Apple M3 | Successor | Intel Core i5-13600 |
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CPU Cores and Base FrequencyThe Apple M2 is a 8 core processor with a clock frequency of 0.66 GHz (3.50 GHz). The processor can compute 8 threads at the same time. The Intel Core i5-12600 clocks with 3.30 GHz (4.80 GHz), has 6 CPU cores and can calculate 12 threads in parallel. |
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Apple M2 | Characteristic | Intel Core i5-12600 |
8 | Cores | 6 |
8 | Threads | 12 |
hybrid (big.LITTLE) | Core architecture | normal |
No | Hyperthreading | Yes |
No | Overclocking ? | No |
0.66 GHz (3.50 GHz) 4x Avalanche |
A-Core | 3.30 GHz (4.80 GHz) 6x Golden Cove |
0.60 GHz (2.42 GHz) 4x Blizzard |
B-Core | -- |
Artificial Intelligence and Machine LearningProcessors with the support of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can process many calculations, especially audio, image and video processing, much faster than classic processors. Algorithms for ML improve their performance the more data they have collected via software. ML tasks can be processed up to 10,000 times faster than with a classic processor. |
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Apple M2 | Characteristic | Intel Core i5-12600 |
Apple Neural Engine | AI hardware | -- |
16 Neural cores @ 15.8 TOPS | AI specifications | -- |
Internal GraphicsGraphics (iGPU) integrated into the processor not only enable image output without having to rely on a dedicated graphics solution, but can also efficiently accelerate video playback. |
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Apple M2 (10 Core) | GPU | Intel UHD Graphics 770 |
0.45 GHz | GPU frequency | 0.30 GHz |
1.40 GHz | GPU (Turbo) | 1.45 GHz |
2 | GPU Generation | 11 |
5 nm | Technology | 10 nm |
2 | Max. displays | 3 |
160 | Compute units | 32 |
1280 | Shader | 256 |
No | Hardware Raytracing | No |
No | Frame Generation | No |
24 GB | Max. GPU Memory | 64 GB |
-- | DirectX Version | 12 |
Hardware codec supportA photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos. |
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Apple M2 (10 Core) | GPU | Intel UHD Graphics 770 |
Decode / Encode | Codec h265 / HEVC (8 bit) | Decode / Encode |
Decode / Encode | Codec h265 / HEVC (10 bit) | Decode / Encode |
Decode / Encode | Codec h264 | Decode / Encode |
Decode / Encode | Codec VP9 | Decode / Encode |
Decode | Codec VP8 | Decode / Encode |
No | Codec AV1 | Decode |
Decode | Codec AVC | Decode / Encode |
Decode | Codec VC-1 | Decode |
Decode / Encode | Codec JPEG | Decode / Encode |
Memory & PCIeUp to 24 GB of memory in a maximum of 2 memory channels is supported by the Apple M2, while the Intel Core i5-12600 supports a maximum of 128 GB of memory with a maximum memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s enabled. |
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Apple M2 | Characteristic | Intel Core i5-12600 |
LPDDR5-6400 | Memory | DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 |
24 GB | Max. Memory | 128 GB |
2 (Dual Channel) | Memory channels | 2 (Dual Channel) |
102.4 GB/s | Max. Bandwidth | 76.8 GB/s |
No | ECC | Yes |
20.00 MB | L2 Cache | 7.50 MB |
-- | L3 Cache | 18.00 MB |
4.0 | PCIe version | 5.0 |
-- | PCIe lanes | 20 |
-- | PCIe Bandwidth | 78.8 GB/s |
Thermal ManagementThe Apple M2 has a TDP of 20 W. The TDP of the Intel Core i5-12600 is 65 W. System integrators use the TDP of the processor as a guide when dimensioning the cooling solution. |
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Apple M2 | Characteristic | Intel Core i5-12600 |
20 W | TDP (PL1 / PBP) | 65 W |
-- | TDP (PL2) | 117 W |
30 W | TDP up | -- |
10 W | TDP down | -- |
100 °C | Tjunction max. | 100 °C |
Technical detailsThe Apple M2 has 20.00 MB cache and is manufactured in 5 nm. The cache of Intel Core i5-12600 is at 25.50 MB. The processor is manufactured in 10 nm. |
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Apple M2 | Characteristic | Intel Core i5-12600 |
5 nm | Technology | 10 nm |
Chiplet | Chip design | Monolithic |
Armv8.5-A (64 bit) | Instruction set (ISA) | x86-64 (64 bit) |
Rosetta 2 x86-Emulation | ISA extensions | SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, AVX2+ |
-- | Socket | LGA 1700 |
Apple Virtualization Framework | Virtualization | VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d |
Yes | AES-NI | Yes |
macOS, iPadOS | Operating systems | Windows 10, Windows 11, Linux |
Q2/2022 | Release date | Q1/2022 |
-- | Release price | 223 $ |
show more data | show more data | |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Intel Core i5-12600
6C 12T @ 4.80 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Intel Core i5-12600
6C 12T @ 4.40 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Intel Core i5-12600
6C 12T @ 4.80 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Intel Core i5-12600
6C 12T @ 4.40 GHz |
Apple M2
Apple M2 (10 Core) @ 1.40 GHz |
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Intel Core i5-12600
Intel UHD Graphics 770 @ 1.45 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Intel Core i5-12600
6C 12T @ 4.40 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Intel Core i5-12600
6C 12T @ 4.80 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Intel Core i5-12600
6C 12T @ 4.80 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Intel Core i5-12600
6C 12T @ 4.80 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Intel Core i5-12600
6C 12T @ 4.40 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Intel Core i5-12600
6C 12T @ 4.40 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 0.66 GHz |
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Intel Core i5-12600
6C 12T @ 3.30 GHz |
Apple M2
8,558 CB R23 MC @ 20 W |
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Intel Core i5-12600
3.30 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 0.66 GHz |
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Intel Core i5-12600
6C 12T @ 3.30 GHz |
Devices using this processor |
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Apple M2 | Intel Core i5-12600 |
Apple MacBook Air 14 (2022) Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) |
Unknown |