Apple M4 | Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850 | |
CPU comparisonApple M4 or Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850 - which processor is faster? In this comparison we look at the differences and analyze which of these two CPUs is better. We compare the technical data and benchmark results.
The Apple M4 has 9 cores with 9 threads and clocks with a maximum frequency of 4.41 GHz. Up to 8 GB of memory is supported in 2 memory channels. The Apple M4 was released in Q2/2024. The Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850 has 4 cores with 4 threads and clocks with a maximum frequency of 3.00 GHz. The CPU supports up to 16 GB of memory in 2 memory channels. The Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850 was released in Q3/2007. |
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Apple M series (25) | Family | Intel Core2 Extreme (7) |
Apple M4 (2) | CPU group | Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6000 (3) |
4 | Generation | 1 |
M4 | Architecture | Kentsfield (Core) |
Mobile | Segment | Desktop / Server |
Apple M3 | Predecessor | -- |
-- | Successor | -- |
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CPU Cores and Base FrequencyThe Apple M4 is a 9 core processor with a clock frequency of 0.70 GHz (4.41 GHz). The Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850 has 4 CPU cores with a clock frequency of 3.00 GHz. |
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Apple M4 | Characteristic | Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850 |
9 | Cores | 4 |
9 | Threads | 4 |
hybrid (big.LITTLE) | Core architecture | normal |
No | Hyperthreading | No |
No | Overclocking ? | Yes |
0.70 GHz (4.41 GHz) 3x P-Core |
A-Core | 3.00 GHz |
0.74 GHz (2.85 GHz) 6x E-Core |
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 M4 | Characteristic | Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850 |
Apple Neural Engine | AI hardware | -- |
16 Neural cores @ 38 TOPS | AI specifications | -- |
-- | NPU + CPU + iGPU | -- |
Integrated graphics (iGPU)The integrated graphics unit of a processor is not only responsible for the pure image output on the system, but can also significantly increase the efficiency of the system with the support of modern video codecs. |
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Apple M4 (10 Core) | GPU | no iGPU |
0.39 GHz | GPU frequency | -- |
1.40 GHz | GPU (Turbo) | -- |
-- | GPU Generation | -- |
3 nm | Technology | |
2 | Max. displays | |
160 | Compute units | -- |
1280 | Shader | -- |
Yes | 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 M4 (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 |
Decode | Codec AV1 | No |
Decode | Codec AVC | No |
Decode | Codec VC-1 | No |
Decode / Encode | Codec JPEG | No |
Memory & PCIeThe Apple M4 supports a maximum of 8 GB of memory in 2 memory channels. The Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850 can connect up to 16 GB of memory in 2 memory channels. |
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Apple M4 | Characteristic | Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850 |
LPDDR5X-7500 | Memory | DDR3-1066, DDR2-800 |
8 GB | Max. Memory | 16 GB |
2 (Dual Channel) | Memory channels | 2 (Dual Channel) |
120.0 GB/s | Max. Bandwidth | 17.1 GB/s |
No | ECC | No |
18.00 MB | L2 Cache | 8.00 MB |
-- | L3 Cache | -- |
4.0 | PCIe version | -- |
-- | PCIe lanes | -- |
-- | PCIe Bandwidth | -- |
Thermal ManagementThe TDP (Thermal Design Power) of a processor specifies the required cooling solution. The Apple M4 has a TDP of 22 W, that of the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850 is 130 W. |
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Apple M4 | Characteristic | Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850 |
22 W | TDP (PL1 / PBP) | 130 W |
-- | TDP (PL2) | -- |
-- | TDP up | -- |
15 W | TDP down | -- |
100 °C | Tjunction max. | -- |
Technical detailsThe Apple M4 has a 18.00 MB cache, while the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850 cache has a total of 8.00 MB. |
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Apple M4 | Characteristic | Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850 |
3 nm | Technology | 65 nm |
Chiplet | Chip design | Monolithic |
Armv9-A (64 bit) | Instruction set (ISA) | x86-64 (64 bit) |
Rosetta 2 x86-Emulation, AVX2, SME | ISA extensions | MMX, SSE2, SSE3 |
-- | Socket | LGA 775 |
Apple Virtualization Framework | Virtualization | VT-x |
Yes | AES-NI | No |
macOS, iPadOS | Operating systems | Windows 10, Linux |
Q2/2024 | Release date | Q3/2007 |
-- | Release price | -- |
show more data | show more data | |
Apple M4
9C 9T @ 4.41 GHz |
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Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850
4C 4T @ 3.00 GHz |
Apple M4
9C 9T @ 0.70 GHz |
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Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850
4C 4T @ 3.00 GHz |
Apple M4
9C 9T @ 4.41 GHz |
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Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850
4C 4T @ 3.00 GHz |
Apple M4
9C 9T @ 0.70 GHz |
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Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850
4C 4T @ 3.00 GHz |
Apple M4
9C 9T @ 0.70 GHz |
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Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850
4C 4T @ 3.00 GHz |
Apple M4
9C 9T @ 0.70 GHz |
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Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850
4C 4T @ 3.00 GHz |
Devices using this processor |
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Apple M4 | Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850 |
Apple iPad Pro 11 (2024) | Unknown |