Apple M2 | Intel Core i7-870 | |
CPU comparisonIn this CPU comparison, we compare the Apple M2 and the Intel Core i7-870 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 i7-870 which has 4 CPU cores and was introduced in Q2/2010. |
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Apple M series (25) | Family | Intel Core i7 (298) |
Apple M2 (8) | CPU group | Intel Core i7 800 (6) |
2 | Generation | 1 |
M2 | Architecture | Lynnfield |
Mobile | Segment | Desktop / Server |
Apple M1 | Predecessor | -- |
Apple M3 | Successor | -- |
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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 i7-870 clocks with 2.93 GHz (3.60 GHz), has 4 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel. |
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Apple M2 | Characteristic | Intel Core i7-870 |
8 | Cores | 4 |
8 | Threads | 8 |
hybrid (big.LITTLE) | Core architecture | normal |
No | Hyperthreading | Yes |
No | Overclocking ? | No |
0.66 GHz (3.50 GHz) 4x Avalanche |
A-Core | 2.93 GHz (3.60 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. |
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Apple M2 | Characteristic | Intel Core i7-870 |
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. |
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Apple M2 (10 Core) | GPU | no iGPU |
0.45 GHz | GPU frequency | -- |
1.40 GHz | GPU (Turbo) | -- |
2 | GPU Generation | -- |
5 nm | Technology | |
2 | Max. displays | |
160 | Compute units | -- |
1280 | Shader | -- |
No | Hardware Raytracing | No |
No | Frame Generation | No |
24 GB | Max. GPU Memory | -- |
-- | DirectX Version | -- |
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 | no iGPU |
Decode / Encode | Codec h265 / HEVC (8 bit) | No |
Decode / Encode | Codec h265 / HEVC (10 bit) | No |
Decode / Encode | Codec h264 | No |
Decode / Encode | Codec VP9 | No |
Decode | Codec VP8 | No |
No | Codec AV1 | No |
Decode | Codec AVC | No |
Decode | Codec VC-1 | No |
Decode / Encode | Codec JPEG | No |
Memory & PCIeUp to 24 GB of memory in a maximum of 2 memory channels is supported by the Apple M2, while the Intel Core i7-870 supports a maximum of 16 GB of memory with a maximum memory bandwidth of 21.3 GB/s enabled. |
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Apple M2 | Characteristic | Intel Core i7-870 |
LPDDR5-6400 | Memory | DDR3-1333 |
24 GB | Max. Memory | 16 GB |
2 (Dual Channel) | Memory channels | 2 (Dual Channel) |
102.4 GB/s | Max. Bandwidth | 21.3 GB/s |
No | ECC | No |
20.00 MB | L2 Cache | 1.00 MB |
-- | L3 Cache | 8.00 MB |
4.0 | PCIe version | 2.0 |
-- | PCIe lanes | 16 |
-- | PCIe Bandwidth | 8.0 GB/s |
Thermal ManagementThe Apple M2 has a TDP of 20 W. The TDP of the Intel Core i7-870 is 95 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 i7-870 |
20 W | TDP (PL1 / PBP) | 95 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 i7-870 is at 9.00 MB. The processor is manufactured in 45 nm. |
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Apple M2 | Characteristic | Intel Core i7-870 |
5 nm | Technology | 45 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 |
-- | Socket | LGA 1156 |
Apple Virtualization Framework | Virtualization | VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d |
Yes | AES-NI | No |
macOS, iPadOS | Operating systems | Windows 10, Linux |
Q2/2022 | Release date | Q2/2010 |
-- | Release price | -- |
show more data | show more data | |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Intel Core i7-870
4C 8T @ 3.60 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Intel Core i7-870
4C 8T @ 2.93 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Intel Core i7-870
4C 8T @ 3.60 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Intel Core i7-870
4C 8T @ 2.93 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Intel Core i7-870
4C 8T @ 2.93 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Intel Core i7-870
4C 8T @ 3.60 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Intel Core i7-870
4C 8T @ 3.60 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Intel Core i7-870
4C 8T @ 3.60 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Intel Core i7-870
4C 8T @ 2.93 GHz |
Apple M2
Apple M2 (10 Core) @ 1.40 GHz |
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Intel Core i7-870
@ 0.00 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Intel Core i7-870
4C 8T @ 2.93 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 0.66 GHz |
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Intel Core i7-870
4C 8T @ 2.93 GHz |
Apple M2
8,558 CB R23 MC @ 20 W |
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Intel Core i7-870
2.93 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 0.66 GHz |
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Intel Core i7-870
4C 8T @ 2.93 GHz |
Devices using this processor |
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Apple M2 | Intel Core i7-870 |
Apple MacBook Air 14 (2022) Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) |
Unknown |