Intel Core i5-11400F vs Apple M1

The Apple M1 (November 2020), Apple's SoC for Mac computers, targets energy efficiency and integrated performance.

Manufactured using a 5-nm process, it offers eight cores (four high-performance, four efficiency cores), 16 MB of Level 2 cache, and an Apple M1 (8 Core) graphics unit. It supports PCIe 4.0 with 68 GB/s memory bandwidth. The Intel Core i5-11400F (Q1 2021), a desktop processor from Intel's Rocket Lake S-generation, is aimed at mainstream PCs.

Manufactured using a 14-nm process, it offers six cores and twelve threads, 3 MB of Level 2 and 12 MB of Level 3 cache. It supports PCIe 4.0 with 51 GB/s memory bandwidth. The Apple M1 shows significantly higher single-core performance. The Intel Core i5-11400F achieves more performance in some multi-core tasks.

For gaming, the Intel Core i5-11400F with a dedicated graphics card offers superior frame rates and broader compatibility; the Apple M1 is for optimized titles. The Apple M1 is more energy-efficient and cooler thanks to 5-nm manufacturing. The Intel Core i5-11400F has a higher TDP and requires stronger coolers.

Price-wise, the Intel Core i5-11400F is often advantageous as a standalone component; the Apple M1 is part of an Apple system. The Apple M1 is ideal for energy efficiency, integrated graphics, and the Apple ecosystem. The Intel Core i5-11400F suits flexible PC builds with broad software compatibility and dedicated gaming performance.