Apple M4
10C CPU · 10C GPU · Ray-Tracing
Core i9-12900K
Alder Lake · 16C/24T · 125 W · LGA1700
Apple M4 takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Apple M4 lands at 92 and Core i9-12900K at 84. That puts Apple M4 ahead by 8 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Apple M4 if…
- ✓Industry-best perf-per-watt
- ✓Hardware ray tracing on iGPU
- ✓LPDDR5X 120 GB/s
Pick Core i9-12900K if…
- ✓Strong per-core performance
- ✓Hybrid P/E cores (12th gen+)
- ✓Wide platform availability
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testGaming
TieFrame-rate-bound workloads — favours cache and single-thread speed
Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.
Creators & productivity
Apple M4Rendering, compilation, heavy multitasking — favours core count
Apple M4 leads on multi (86 vs 84).
Power efficiency
Apple M4Performance per watt — thermals, PSU headroom, electricity cost
Apple M4 leads on efficiency (100 vs 78).
Value for money
Core i9-12900KSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Core i9-12900K more score per dollar ($589 vs $1,099).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Apple M4 | Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 10 (4P+6E) | ▲ 16 |
| Memory bandwidth | 120 GB/s | — |
| Neural engine | 16-core, 38 TOPS | — |
| Process | TSMC N3E | — |
| Architecture | — | Alder Lake |
| Threads | — | 24 |
| TDP | — | 125 W |
| Socket | — | LGA1700 |
| Release year | — | 2021 |
Apple M4
- +Industry-best perf-per-watt
- +Hardware ray tracing on iGPU
- +LPDDR5X 120 GB/s
- −Only in Apple products
- −Limited Windows gaming
- −Entry-tier 8 GB RAM is tight for ML
Core i9-12900K
- +Strong per-core performance
- +Hybrid P/E cores (12th gen+)
- +Wide platform availability
- −Power draw on top SKUs
- −Frequent socket changes
- −Arrow Lake gaming regressions
FAQ: Apple M4 vs Core i9-12900K
Which is better, Apple M4 or Core i9-12900K? +
Apple M4 scores 92 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 8. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Apple M4 worth the price? +
At $1,099, Apple M4 delivers a Specdex score of 92 — strongest in single.
Is Core i9-12900K worth the price? +
At $589, Core i9-12900K delivers a Specdex score of 84 — strongest in single.
Does Apple M4 or Core i9-12900K last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for creator and productivity work, Apple M4 or Core i9-12900K? +
Apple M4 — leads on multi (86 vs 84). Rendering, compilation, heavy multitasking — favours core count.
Which is better for power efficiency, Apple M4 or Core i9-12900K? +
Apple M4 — leads on efficiency (100 vs 78). Performance per watt — thermals, PSU headroom, electricity cost.