Apple M2 | Intel Core i5-6600K | |
CPU comparisonIn this CPU comparison, we compare the Apple M2 and the Intel Core i5-6600K 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 i5-6600K which has 4 CPU cores and was introduced in Q3/2015. |
||
Apple M series (25) | Family | Intel Core i5 (331) |
Apple M2 (8) | CPU group | Intel Core i 6000 (24) |
2 | Generation | 6 |
M2 | Architecture | Skylake S |
Mobile | Segment | Desktop / Server |
Apple M1 | Predecessor | -- |
Apple M3 | Successor | Intel Core i5-7600K |
|
||
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 i5-6600K clocks with 3.50 GHz (3.90 GHz), has 4 CPU cores and can calculate 4 threads in parallel. |
||
Apple M2 | Characteristic | Intel Core i5-6600K |
8 | Cores | 4 |
8 | Threads | 4 |
hybrid (big.LITTLE) | Core architecture | normal |
No | Hyperthreading | No |
No | Overclocking ? | Yes |
0.66 GHz (3.50 GHz) 4x Avalanche |
A-Core | 3.50 GHz (3.90 GHz) |
0.60 GHz (2.42 GHz) 4x Blizzard |
B-Core | -- |
NPU AI performanceThe performance values of the processor's AI unit. The isolated NPU performance is specified here, the total AI performance (NPU+CPU+iGPU) can be higher. Processors with support for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can process many calculations, especially audio, image and video processing, much faster than classic processors. |
||
Apple M2 | Characteristic | Intel Core i5-6600K |
Apple Neural Engine | AI hardware | -- |
16 Neural cores @ 15.8 TOPS | AI specifications | -- |
-- | NPU + CPU + iGPU | -- |
Integrated graphics (iGPU)Graphics (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. |
||
Apple M2 (10 Core) | GPU | Intel HD Graphics 530 |
0.45 GHz | GPU frequency | 0.35 GHz |
1.40 GHz | GPU (Turbo) | 1.15 GHz |
2 | GPU Generation | 9 |
5 nm | Technology | 14 nm |
2 | Max. displays | 3 |
160 | Compute units | 24 |
1280 | Shader | 192 |
No | Hardware Raytracing | No |
No | Frame Generation | No |
24 GB | Max. GPU Memory | 32 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. |
||
Apple M2 (10 Core) | GPU | Intel HD Graphics 530 |
Decode / Encode | Codec h265 / HEVC (8 bit) | Decode / Encode |
Decode / Encode | Codec h265 / HEVC (10 bit) | Decode |
Decode / Encode | Codec h264 | Decode / Encode |
Decode / Encode | Codec VP9 | Decode |
Decode | Codec VP8 | Decode / Encode |
No | Codec AV1 | No |
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 i5-6600K supports a maximum of 64 GB of memory with a maximum memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s enabled. |
||
Apple M2 | Characteristic | Intel Core i5-6600K |
LPDDR5-6400 | Memory | DDR4-2133, DDR3-1600 |
24 GB | Max. Memory | 64 GB |
2 (Dual Channel) | Memory channels | 2 (Dual Channel) |
102.4 GB/s | Max. Bandwidth | 34.1 GB/s |
No | ECC | No |
20.00 MB | L2 Cache | -- |
-- | L3 Cache | 6.00 MB |
4.0 | PCIe version | 3.0 |
-- | PCIe lanes | 16 |
-- | PCIe Bandwidth | 15.8 GB/s |
Thermal ManagementThe Apple M2 has a TDP of 20 W. The TDP of the Intel Core i5-6600K is 91 W. System integrators use the TDP of the processor as a guide when dimensioning the cooling solution. |
||
Apple M2 | Characteristic | Intel Core i5-6600K |
20 W | TDP (PL1 / PBP) | 91 W |
-- | TDP (PL2) | -- |
30 W | TDP up | -- |
10 W | TDP down | -- |
100 °C | Tjunction max. | -- |
Technical detailsThe Apple M2 has 20.00 MB cache and is manufactured in 5 nm. The cache of Intel Core i5-6600K is at 6.00 MB. The processor is manufactured in 14 nm. |
||
Apple M2 | Characteristic | Intel Core i5-6600K |
5 nm | Technology | 14 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 |
-- | Socket | LGA 1151 |
Apple Virtualization Framework | Virtualization | VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d |
Yes | AES-NI | Yes |
macOS, iPadOS | Operating systems | Windows 10, Linux |
Q2/2022 | Release date | Q3/2015 |
-- | Release price | 280 $ |
show more data | show more data | |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
|||
Intel Core i5-6600K
4C 4T @ 3.90 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
|||
Intel Core i5-6600K
4C 4T @ 3.90 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
|||
Intel Core i5-6600K
4C 4T @ 3.90 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
|||
Intel Core i5-6600K
4C 4T @ 3.60 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
|||
Intel Core i5-6600K
4C 4T @ 3.90 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
|||
Intel Core i5-6600K
4C 4T @ 3.60 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
|||
Intel Core i5-6600K
4C 4T @ 3.90 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
|||
Intel Core i5-6600K
4C 4T @ 3.60 GHz |
Apple M2
Apple M2 (10 Core) @ 1.40 GHz |
|||
Intel Core i5-6600K
Intel HD Graphics 530 @ 1.15 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
|||
Intel Core i5-6600K
4C 4T @ 3.60 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
|||
Intel Core i5-6600K
4C 4T @ 3.60 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
|||
Intel Core i5-6600K
4C 4T @ 3.90 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
|||
Intel Core i5-6600K
4C 4T @ 3.60 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
|||
Intel Core i5-6600K
4C 4T @ 3.90 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 0.66 GHz |
|||
Intel Core i5-6600K
4C 4T @ 3.50 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
|||
Intel Core i5-6600K
4C 4T @ 3.90 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
|||
Intel Core i5-6600K
4C 4T @ 3.60 GHz |
Apple M2
8,558 CB R23 MC @ 20 W |
|||
Intel Core i5-6600K
3.50 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 0.66 GHz |
|||
Intel Core i5-6600K
4C 4T @ 3.50 GHz |
Devices using this processor |
|
Apple M2 | Intel Core i5-6600K |
Apple MacBook Air 14 (2022) Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) |
Unknown |