CPU Comparison
Apple M1 Ultra vs Intel Core i9-7900X
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Apple M1 Ultra is the most powerful chip in Apple's first-generation Apple Silicon lineup, engineered by fusing two M1 Max dies through the proprietary UltraFusion interconnect. With 20 CPU cores, up to 64 GPU cores, a 32-core Neural Engine, and up to 128GB of unified LPDDR5 memory delivering 800 GB/s bandwidth, it targets the most demanding professional workflows in a compact desktop form factor.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Exceptional multi-threaded performance for creative and professional applications, handling the heaviest workloads with ease.
Strong multi-threaded performance for creator workloads; competitive with or better than many mainstream 8–10 core CPUs at the time, though newer designs are faster per clock.
Gaming
Capable of running many titles at high settings, but the macOS game library is limited and no external GPU support exists.
Capable of high-refresh-rate gaming at 1440p and above, but modern gaming-focused CPUs often deliver better minimums and efficiency.
Virtualization
Competent virtualization through Parallels and UTM, but ARM-based VMs have better compatibility than x86 VMs.
Excellent for running multiple VMs thanks to 10 cores, 20 threads, and quad-channel memory, especially when paired with VT-x and VT-d support.
Efficiency
Remarkable performance-per-watt compared to competing x86 workstations, delivering more work per unit of energy consumed.
High power consumption and heat output compared to modern 10nm/7nm parts; requires robust cooling and a strong PSU.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- 32-core Neural Engine accelerates on-device machine learning inference at up to 22 trillion operations per second
- 800 GB/s memory bandwidth benefits large language model inference
- 128GB unified memory enables loading large AI models that exceed typical GPU VRAM
- No dedicated tensor cores in the traditional NVIDIA CUDA sense
- Apple Core ML and Metal Performance Shaders provide software-level acceleration
- No dedicated AI acceleration hardware like NPU or AI instructions beyond AVX-512.
- Suitable for CPU-based inference and small model workloads, but not competitive with modern AI-focused CPUs or GPUs.
Content Creation
Gaming
- 64-core GPU handles most macOS-native titles comfortably at 1440p
- Limited game library on macOS compared to Windows
- Rosetta 2 translation layer adds minor overhead for x86 games
- No support for external GPUs via Thunderbolt
- AAA titles running through CrossOver or Parallels may have reduced performance
- Strong single-core clocks up to 4.3–4.5 GHz enable high FPS in CPU-heavy titles.
- Most games don’t scale beyond 6–8 cores, so newer 8-core CPUs often match or beat it in gaming while using less power.
- Best suited for GPU-bound scenarios at 1440p/4K where the CPU is less of a bottleneck.
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Outstanding multi-threaded CPU performance with 20 cores
- Massive 800 GB/s unified memory bandwidth
- Up to 128GB unified memory accessible by CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine
- Extremely power-efficient compared to x86 workstations
- Dual ProRes encode and decode engines for video professionals
- 32-core Neural Engine for hardware-accelerated machine learning
- Quiet operation even under sustained heavy workloads
- Seamless multi-die operation transparent to software
Cons
- Only available in Mac Studio, no standalone or DIY option
- No support for external GPUs
- macOS has a limited game library compared to Windows
- Memory and storage are not user-upgradeable
- No hardware-accelerated ray tracing (introduced with M3 family)
- Discontinued and superseded by M2 Ultra
- No traditional PCIe expansion slots
- HDMI 2.0 instead of HDMI 2.1 limits external display options
Pros
- 10 cores and 20 threads for heavy multi-threaded workloads.
- 44 PCIe 3.0 lanes from the CPU for multi-GPU and NVMe SSDs.
- Quad-channel DDR4-2666 with up to 85 GB/s bandwidth.
- Strong performance for content creation and virtualization at its price point.
- Unlocked multiplier for enthusiast overclocking.
- Turbo Boost Max 3.0 boosts up to 4.5 GHz on best cores.
Cons
- High 140W TDP and real-world power draw under load.
- 14nm process is significantly less efficient than modern 10nm/7nm designs.
- No integrated graphics; requires a discrete GPU.
- X299 platform is discontinued with no upgrade path beyond LGA2066.
- Mesh interconnect can increase lightly-threaded latency versus older ring-bus designs in some workloads.
Competitors & Alternatives
Apple M1 Ultra
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950XRival
High-End Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i9-12900KRival
High-End Desktop
- AMD Threadripper PRO 5975WXRival
Workstation
- Intel Xeon W-3375XRival
Workstation
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950XRival
Creator Desktop
Direct successor with improved CPU and GPU performance, higher efficiency, and support for newer technologies.
Compare head-to-head- Alt
Half the cores at a significantly lower price point, still excellent for most professional creative workloads.
Compare head-to-head - Alt
Newer architecture with hardware-accelerated ray tracing, dynamic caching, and better per-core performance.
Compare head-to-head - Custom PC with AMD Ryzen 9 7950X and RTX 4080Alt
Windows compatibility, upgradeability, better gaming performance, and access to NVIDIA CUDA ecosystem.
- Mac Pro with M2 UltraAlt
Same chip class but in a tower with PCIe expansion slots for specialized add-in cards.
Intel Core i9-7900X
- AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900XRival
High-End Desktop / Workstation
- AMD Ryzen 7 1800XRival
Mainstream High-End Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-6950XRival
Previous-Gen HEDT
- Intel Core i9-7820XRival
8-Core HEDT Alternative
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i9-7960XRival
Higher-Core-Count HEDT
Same platform with higher clocks and slightly better efficiency; better choice if staying on X299.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 9 3900XAlt
Newer 12-core AM4 part with much better efficiency and strong creator performance; requires a new platform.
Modern 20-thread mainstream CPU with much better single-threaded and gaming performance, plus DDR5 support.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 9 7900Alt
Efficient 12-core AM5 CPU with modern I/O (DDR5, PCIe 5.0) and far better power efficiency.
Later 12-core X-Series part on the same X299 platform if you want more cores but stay on LGA2066.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
An extraordinarily powerful workstation-class system-on-chip that delivers exceptional multi-threaded and GPU performance with remarkable power efficiency, though its locked ecosystem and discontinued status make the newer M2 Ultra or M3 Ultra worth considering.
Best for: Professional content creators and workstation users who need massive multi-threaded performance and unified memory within the Apple ecosystem, particularly on the refurbished market.
Read the full reviewA once-flagship HEDT CPU that still delivers strong multi-threaded performance and I/O capability, but its 14nm process, high power draw, and discontinued platform make it mainly interesting for used builds or legacy systems.
Best for: Used workstation or creator build on X299 where multi-threaded performance and I/O matter more than efficiency or platform longevity.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Apple M1 Ultra or Intel Core i9-7900X?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Apple M1 Ultra comes out ahead with a score of 8.8/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Apple M1 Ultra or Intel Core i9-7900X?
For gaming, the Intel Core i9-7900X leads with a gaming performance score of 78/100 among Apple M1 Ultra and Intel Core i9-7900X.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i9-7900X has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i9-7900X (140 W).
Do Apple M1 Ultra and Intel Core i9-7900X use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Apple M1 Ultra: BGA (Soldered), Intel Core i9-7900X: LGA2066), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Apple M1 Ultra has the most cores. Core counts: Apple M1 Ultra (20 cores), Intel Core i9-7900X (10 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Apple M1 Ultra posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Apple M1 Ultra (17,500), Intel Core i9-7900X (10,199). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.