Apple M3 Max (16-core CPU) vs Core i7-14700K: specs and benchmark comparison
BIntel · Raptor Lake Refresh
Intel Core i7-14700K
- 20 cores / 28 threads
- up to 5.6 GHz
- LGA1700
October 17, 2023 · $409 at launch
Short verdict
Intel Core i7-14700K leads in every scenario with comparable benchmarks: multi-thread performance. This does not imply an advantage in tasks without benchmarks.
Compare with AIMulti-thread performance
B +10.4%Intel Core i7-14700K leads in this scenario (up to 10.4% in comparable benchmarks).
No comparable benchmarks yet: single-thread performance, gaming (cpu-bound scenarios), power efficiency.
Advantages
Only measured and rated values: a noticeable benchmark gap and specs where more is better.
Where Apple M3 Max (16-core CPU) is better0
No advantages found in our data.
Where Core i7-14700K is better2
Blender Benchmark 4.5.0 6.9% faster443 samples/min vs 415 samples/min
Cores 4 more20 (8P + 12E) vs 16 (12P + 4E)
Benchmarks
Results are compared within one benchmark, one version and the same conditions.
- B ahead by 6.9%
Blender Benchmark 4.5.0
CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom · samples/min, higher is better
Apple M3 Max (16-core CPU)414.7 samples/minCore i7-14700K443.4 samples/minPosition among tested models (89)
A · 415B · 4430200400600800Each dot is one model’s median in this benchmark. The scale starts at zero, samples/min. Intel Core i7-14700K is ahead by 6.9% in this benchmark.
About the measurement and source
- A · Apple M3 Max (16-core CPU)
414.7 samples/min · community measurement, sample 31 · November 14, 2026
Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation)
Median of 31 submissions (1 outliers excluded), interquartile range 407.92–421.6; submissions 2025-07-17 to 2026-06-07; CPU backend. Snapshot 2026-11-14.
- B · Intel Core i7-14700K
443.4 samples/min · community measurement, sample 95 · November 14, 2026
Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation)
Median of 95 submissions (11 outliers excluded), interquartile range 419.61–467.04; submissions 2025-07-17 to 2026-06-04; CPU backend. Snapshot 2026-11-14.
difference = |A − B| ÷ the smaller value × 100%. The 5% noticeable threshold is a UX heuristic, not statistical significance.
Cycles render in Blender Benchmark. Median of the sum of samples per minute over three scenes after removing outliers.
Other comparable benchmarks (4)
| Benchmark | A | B | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blender Benchmark 4.2.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 407.7 | 433.6 | B +6.3% |
| Blender Benchmark 4.0.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 418.3 | 461.9 | B +10.4% |
| Blender Benchmark 4.1.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 417.9 | 448.5 | B +7.3% |
| Blender Benchmark 4.3.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 408.2 | 428.8 | B +5% |
Each benchmark version has its own scale: numbers are compared only within a row.
Reference results (11)
| Benchmark | A | B | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blender Benchmark 5.1.1CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 405.4 | 437.4 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.2.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 399.6 | 453.2 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.4.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 351.6 | 499.3 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.6.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 414.3 | 487.4 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 4.4.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 407.3 | 430.2 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.0.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 413.8 | 265.7 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.1.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 382.5 | 464 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.3.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 378.3 | — | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 3.2.1CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | — | 492.4 | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 3.3.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | — | 503.8 | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 3.5.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | — | 541.3 | no pair |
Each benchmark version has its own scale: numbers are compared only within a row.
Specifications
| Specification | A · Apple M3 Max (16-core CPU) | B · Core i7-14700K | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cores and clocks | |||
| CoresCores of different types may differ in performance. | 16 (12P + 4E) | 20 (8P + 12E) | B: 4 more |
| Threads | no data | 28 | no data for A |
| Base clockFor hybrid Intel CPUs, the P-core base clock is shown. | no data | 3.4 GHz | no data for A |
| Max clock (Boost/Turbo) | no data | 5.6 GHz | no data for A |
| Cache | |||
| L2 cache | no data | 28 MB | no data for A |
| L3 cache | no data | 33 MB | no data for A |
| Platform | |||
| Socket | no data | LGA1700 | no data for A |
| Process node | 3 nm | Intel 7 | differs |
| Memory and interfaces | |||
| Memory type | Unified memory | DDR4, DDR5 | differs |
| Memory channels | no data | 2 | no data for A |
| Official memory speedFor controllers that support two generations, the speed for the newer memory type is shown. | no data | 5,600 MT/s | no data for A |
| Max memory capacity | no data | 192 GB | no data for A |
| PCI Express | no data | PCIe 5.0 and 4.0, 20 lanes | no data for A |
| Integrated graphics | Apple M3 Max (30 / 40-core GPU) | Intel Graphics | differs |
| Power | |||
| Processor Base Power (Intel) | no data | 125 W | no data for A |
| Maximum Turbo Power (Intel) | no data | 253 W | no data for A |
Cores and clocks
Cores
A16 (12P + 4E)
B20 (8P + 12E)
B: 4 moreCores of different types may differ in performance.
Threads
Ano data
B28
no data for ABase clock
Ano data
B3.4 GHz
no data for AFor hybrid Intel CPUs, the P-core base clock is shown.
Max clock (Boost/Turbo)
Ano data
B5.6 GHz
no data for A
Cache
L2 cache
Ano data
B28 MB
no data for AL3 cache
Ano data
B33 MB
no data for A
Platform
Socket
Ano data
BLGA1700
no data for AProcess node
A3 nm
BIntel 7
differs
Memory and interfaces
Memory type
AUnified memory
BDDR4, DDR5
differsMemory channels
Ano data
B2
no data for AOfficial memory speed
Ano data
B5,600 MT/s
no data for AFor controllers that support two generations, the speed for the newer memory type is shown.
Max memory capacity
Ano data
B192 GB
no data for APCI Express
Ano data
BPCIe 5.0 and 4.0, 20 lanes
no data for AIntegrated graphics
AApple M3 Max (30 / 40-core GPU)
BIntel Graphics
differs
Power
Processor Base Power (Intel)
Ano data
B125 W
no data for AMaximum Turbo Power (Intel)
Ano data
B253 W
no data for A
“More” does not always mean “better”: higher power draw or size is a system requirement, not an advantage (such bars are dimmed).
Compare with AI
An AI model reviews the specs and benchmarks of this pair and gives a plain-language verdict on who each model suits.
Questions and answers
Do these CPUs have integrated graphics?
Apple M3 Max (16-core CPU): Apple M3 Max (30 / 40-core GPU). Intel Core i7-14700K: Intel Graphics.
Which is faster: Apple M3 Max (16-core CPU) or Intel Core i7-14700K?
Intel Core i7-14700K leads in every scenario with comparable benchmarks: multi-thread performance. This does not imply an advantage in tasks without benchmarks.
See also
Data sources (4)
- Apple — specifications of Apple M3 Max (16-core CPU)checked November 14, 2026
- Intel — specifications of Intel Core i7-14700Kchecked November 7, 2026
- Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation) — benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.5.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.1.1, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.2.1, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.3.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.4.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.5.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.6.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.0.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.1.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.3.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.4.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.0.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.1.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.3.0checked November 14, 2026
- Wikipedia (English) — release date and launch pricechecked November 14, 2026
How we compare: methodology. Where the data comes from: sources.