CPU Comparison
Apple M3 vs Intel Core i7-8670T
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. Apple M3 is an 8-core, 10-core GPU SoC built on TSMC’s 3 nm process, delivering improved performance and efficiency for MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and iMac, with hardware-accelerated ray tracing and AV1 decode.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Snappy everyday performance with fast app launches and responsive multitasking.
Handles office tasks and multitasking effortlessly due to 6 cores.
Gaming
Good for gaming when paired with a discrete GPU, though clock speeds limit high-refresh play.
Virtualization
Good for light VMs in a compact form factor.
Efficiency
Strong battery life in MacBook Air and Pro implementations; 3 nm helps reduce active power relative to workload.
Exceptional efficiency, runs very cool and quiet.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- 16-core Neural Engine accelerates on-device ML workloads
- Media engine includes AV1 decode for efficient video streaming
- No AI accelerators
- Relies on CPU cores
Content Creation
Gaming
- Ray tracing support enables better visuals in supported titles
- Dynamic Caching improves GPU utilization for more consistent frame times
- Single external display limit constrains multi-monitor gaming setups
- Needs a discrete GPU for serious gaming
- Lower base clock may bottleneck fast GPUs
- Great for SFF gaming builds
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- 3 nm process for improved efficiency
- Hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading
- Dynamic Caching optimizes GPU memory usage
- Strong single-core performance
- Excellent battery life in supported systems
Cons
- Single external display limit in most configurations
- Memory not user-upgradable
- Does not support Thunderbolt 4 on some models
- No Wi-Fi 7 support on current implementations
Pros
- Extremely low 35W TDP
- Six cores for multitasking
- Quiet operation capability
- Good integrated graphics for media
Cons
- Lower clock speeds
- Locked multiplier
- Harder to find on the used market
- Not ideal for heavy workloads
Competitors & Alternatives
Apple M3
- Intel Core Ultra 7 155HRival
Thin-and-Light
- AMD Ryzen 7 8840URival
Thin-and-Light
- Compare head-to-headApple M2Rival
Previous-gen SoC
- Qualcomm Snapdragon X EliteRival
Windows on ARM SoC
- Alt
More CPU/GPU cores and increased memory bandwidth for heavier workloads.
Compare head-to-head - Alt
Maximum core counts and memory support for professional creator workflows.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i7-8670T
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600ERival
Low Power Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-8500TRival
Low Power Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-8700TRival
Low Power Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 3400GERival
Low Power Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-9400TRival
Low Power Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600GEAlt
Newer, faster, and more efficient.
- Intel Core i5-10400TAlt
Cheaper 10th gen alternative with similar performance.
- Intel Core i7-9700TAlt
Successor with slightly better clocks.
- AMD Ryzen 5 4600GAlt
Better integrated graphics and multi-threading.
Our Verdict on Each
A balanced step forward that brings 3 nm efficiency, meaningful GPU features, and strong single-threaded performance to thin-and-light Macs.
Best for: Portable Mac for everyday productivity, light content creation, and student use
Read the full reviewAn excellent choice for compact builds, offering six cores within a strict 35W TDP for silent operation and solid productivity performance.
Best for: Building a near-silent Mini-ITX PC for the living room or office.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is faster for gaming, Apple M3 or Intel Core i7-8670T?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-8670T leads with a gaming performance score of 60/100 among Apple M3 and Intel Core i7-8670T.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i7-8670T has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i7-8670T (35 W).
Do Apple M3 and Intel Core i7-8670T use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Apple M3: Apple Silicon, Intel Core i7-8670T: Intel Socket 1151), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Apple M3 has the most cores. Core counts: Apple M3 (8 cores), Intel Core i7-8670T (6 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i7-8670T posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i7-8670T (12,500). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.