Intel Core i7-6600U | Apple M3 (8-GPU) | |
CPU comparisonIn this CPU comparison, we compare the Intel Core i7-6600U and the Apple M3 (8-GPU) and use benchmarks to check which processor is faster.
We compare the Intel Core i7-6600U 2 core processor released in Q3/2015 with the Apple M3 (8-GPU) which has 8 CPU cores and was introduced in Q4/2023. |
||
Intel Core i7 (298) | Family | Apple M series (25) |
Intel Core i 6000U (20) | CPU group | Apple M3 (6) |
6 | Generation | 3 |
Skylake U | Architecture | M3 |
Mobile | Segment | Mobile |
Intel Core i7-5600U | Predecessor | Apple M2 (8-GPU) |
Intel Core i7-7600U | Successor | -- |
|
||
CPU Cores and Base FrequencyThe Intel Core i7-6600U is a 2 core processor with a clock frequency of 2.60 GHz (3.40 GHz). The processor can compute 4 threads at the same time. The Apple M3 (8-GPU) clocks with 0.70 GHz (4.06 GHz), has 8 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel. |
||
Intel Core i7-6600U | Characteristic | Apple M3 (8-GPU) |
2 | Cores | 8 |
4 | Threads | 8 |
normal | Core architecture | hybrid (big.LITTLE) |
Yes | Hyperthreading | No |
No | Overclocking ? | No |
2.60 GHz (3.40 GHz) | A-Core | 0.70 GHz (4.06 GHz) 4x P-Core |
-- | B-Core | 0.74 GHz (2.75 GHz) 4x E-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. |
||
Intel Core i7-6600U | Characteristic | Apple M3 (8-GPU) |
-- | AI hardware | Apple Neural Engine |
-- | AI specifications | 16 Neural cores @ 35 TOPS |
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. |
||
Intel HD Graphics 520 | GPU | Apple M3 (8 Core) |
0.30 GHz | GPU frequency | 0.39 GHz |
1.05 GHz | GPU (Turbo) | 1.40 GHz |
9 | GPU Generation | -- |
14 nm | Technology | 3 nm |
3 | Max. displays | 2 |
24 | Compute units | 128 |
192 | Shader | 1024 |
No | Hardware Raytracing | Yes |
No | Frame Generation | No |
32 GB | Max. GPU Memory | 24 GB |
12 | 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. |
||
Intel HD Graphics 520 | GPU | Apple M3 (8 Core) |
Decode / Encode | Codec h265 / HEVC (8 bit) | Decode / Encode |
Decode | Codec h265 / HEVC (10 bit) | Decode / Encode |
Decode / Encode | Codec h264 | Decode / Encode |
Decode | Codec VP9 | Decode / Encode |
Decode / Encode | Codec VP8 | Decode |
No | Codec AV1 | Decode |
Decode / Encode | Codec AVC | Decode |
Decode | Codec VC-1 | Decode |
Decode / Encode | Codec JPEG | Decode / Encode |
Memory & PCIeUp to 32 GB of memory in a maximum of 2 memory channels is supported by the Intel Core i7-6600U, while the Apple M3 (8-GPU) supports a maximum of 24 GB of memory with a maximum memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s enabled. |
||
Intel Core i7-6600U | Characteristic | Apple M3 (8-GPU) |
LPDDR3-1866, DDR4-2133 | Memory | LPDDR5-6400 |
32 GB | Max. Memory | 24 GB |
2 (Dual Channel) | Memory channels | 2 (Dual Channel) |
34.1 GB/s | Max. Bandwidth | 102.4 GB/s |
No | ECC | No |
-- | L2 Cache | 20.00 MB |
4.00 MB | L3 Cache | -- |
3.0 | PCIe version | 4.0 |
12 | PCIe lanes | -- |
11.8 GB/s | PCIe Bandwidth | -- |
Thermal ManagementThe Intel Core i7-6600U has a TDP of 15 W. The TDP of the Apple M3 (8-GPU) is 22 W. System integrators use the TDP of the processor as a guide when dimensioning the cooling solution. |
||
Intel Core i7-6600U | Characteristic | Apple M3 (8-GPU) |
15 W | TDP (PL1 / PBP) | 22 W |
-- | TDP (PL2) | -- |
25 W | TDP up | -- |
7.5 W | TDP down | 10 W |
100 °C | Tjunction max. | 100 °C |
Technical detailsThe Intel Core i7-6600U has 4.00 MB cache and is manufactured in 14 nm. The cache of Apple M3 (8-GPU) is at 20.00 MB. The processor is manufactured in 3 nm. |
||
Intel Core i7-6600U | Characteristic | Apple M3 (8-GPU) |
14 nm | Technology | 3 nm |
Monolithic | Chip design | Chiplet |
x86-64 (64 bit) | Instruction set (ISA) | Armv8-A (64 bit) |
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2 | ISA extensions | Rosetta 2 x86-Emulation |
BGA 1356 | Socket | -- |
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d | Virtualization | Apple Virtualization Framework |
Yes | AES-NI | Yes |
Windows 10, Linux | Operating systems | macOS, iPadOS |
Q3/2015 | Release date | Q4/2023 |
393 $ | Release price | -- |
show more data | show more data | |
Intel Core i7-6600U
2C 4T @ 3.40 GHz |
|||
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
Intel Core i7-6600U
2C 4T @ 3.00 GHz |
|||
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
Intel Core i7-6600U
2C 4T @ 3.40 GHz |
|||
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
Intel Core i7-6600U
2C 4T @ 3.00 GHz |
|||
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
Intel Core i7-6600U
Intel HD Graphics 520 @ 1.05 GHz |
|||
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
Apple M3 (8 Core) @ 1.40 GHz |
Intel Core i7-6600U
2C 4T @ 3.40 GHz |
|||
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
Intel Core i7-6600U
2C 4T @ 3.40 GHz |
|||
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
Intel Core i7-6600U
2C 4T @ 3.40 GHz |
|||
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
Intel Core i7-6600U
2C 4T @ 3.00 GHz |
|||
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
Intel Core i7-6600U
2C 4T @ 3.00 GHz |
|||
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
Intel Core i7-6600U
2C 4T @ 2.60 GHz |
|||
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 0.70 GHz |
Intel Core i7-6600U
2C 4T @ 3.40 GHz |
|||
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
Intel Core i7-6600U
2C 4T @ 3.00 GHz |
|||
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
Intel Core i7-6600U
2.60 GHz |
|||
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
10,437 CB R23 MC @ 22 W |
Intel Core i7-6600U
2C 4T @ 2.60 GHz |
|||
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 0.70 GHz |
Devices using this processor |
|
Intel Core i7-6600U | Apple M3 (8-GPU) |
Unknown | Apple iMac 24 (2023) |