Intel Core i9 14900HX vs Apple M3 Pro: Which is the better laptop CPU?
This Intel Core i9 14900HX vs Apple M3 Pro comparison presents two highly powerful laptop CPUs available on the market. While the former can be found in multiple laptops, M-series chipsets are proprietary processors designed specifically for MacBooks. Selecting a device with either of these chips is a complete head-scratcher, as they are both incredible options.
This guide will compare both processors to help you in making an informed decision.
Note: Some aspects of this article are subjective and solely reflect the writer’s opinion.
Intel Core i9 14900HX vs Apple M3 Pro: Specifications
The biggest difference between both chips is the instruction set architecture. The Intel chip uses x86-64, while the M-series chips leverage the ARMv8. The former is complex and variable in length, allowing CPUs to perform multiple operations in a single instruction. On the contrary, ARM instructions are simpler and typically have a fixed length. This makes the processors more streamlined and power-efficient.
Moreover, the M3 Pro is fabricated on a 3nm process node, which reduces power consumption and offers faster performance.
Here are the other hardware configurations:
Both chips have a hybrid design with performance and efficiency cores to handle different tasks. However, the chip from Team Blue has twice the cores in total as compared to its competitor. In addition to that, it has 138% more cache.
The base frequency of the Apple chip is 4.05GHz, while its counterpart is stuck at 2.2GHz.
However, the Intel chip also has a boost frequency of 5.8GHZ, which means if it encounters a workload that requires more processing power, it can automatically switch to boost frequency for a temporary performance boost. It supports DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200, and PCIe version 5.0, which makes it a versatile option.
Intel Core i9 14900HX vs Apple M3 Pro: Performance comparison
Technical specifications are good for a general overview. However, they don’t paint a complete picture. To achieve better clarity on who is winning in the Intel Core i9 14900HX vs Apple M3 Pro battle, I have collected some benchmark numbers of these CPUs.
The data is sourced from the NanoReview website.
The i9 14900HX outperforms its counterpart in every multicore test with a huge margin. In Cinebench R23, there is a 110% performance gap between both processors.
In single-core tests, the M3 Pro has got a slight edge in performance. It comes out optimal in two out of three tests. However, when it comes to GPU performance, it's in a league of its own, outshining its counterpart by a staggering 900%.
Gaming performance
The M3 Pro is a beefy processor, but it isn’t exactly made for gaming. Moreover, Macs aren't typically considered as a gaming device. Of course, MacBooks deliver excellent performance, but their focus is on prioritizing portability, design, and battery life. In essence, Apple aims to deliver a well-balanced device.
On the other hand, the Intel Core i9-14900HX is a top-of-the-line processor, ideal for gamers who demand the best possible performance from their laptops, making it a strong contender for powerful gaming devices.
Based on the NanoReview website, the MSI Titan 18 HX gets 91 points out of 100 in performance in popular 3D games, while the MacBook Pro 16 gets only 31.
Here are the configurations of both laptops tested:
Intel Core i9 14900HX vs Apple M3 Pro: Final verdict
Selecting one CPU over the other is challenging. Based on the above analysis, the option from Team Blue excels in raw performance, particularly in tasks that rely on multicore processing. However, the M3 Pro is a complete overall package. It is designed to work seamlessly with macOS and is highly efficient.
In the end, the winner of the Intel Core i9 14900HX vs Apple M3 Pro battle depends on your needs and preferences.
If you want a gaming device that focuses on raw power, the Team Blue chip would be an ideal pick. However, if you want a device that performs decently in every aspect, I would suggest going with the M3 Pro.