Intel Core i9-13980HX vs Apple M3
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Intel Core i9-13980HX | Apple M3 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cores / threads | 24 / 32 | 8 / 8 | — |
| Boost clock (GHz) | 5.6 | 4.1 | — |
| Single-core score | 2,800 | 3,050 | -8.2% |
| Multi-core score | 17,800 | 11,700 | +52.1% |
| TDP (W) | 55 | 22 | — |
- Intel Core i9-13980HX is slower than Apple M3 by 8.2% in single-core and faster by 52.1% in multi-core.
- Apple M3 draws less power (22W vs 55W).
Verdict: i9-13980HX or M3?
Intel Core i9-13980HX advantages
- Multi-core speed (+34%)
- Peak clock (+28%)
Apple M3 advantages
- Single-core speed (+8%)
- Power efficiency (+60%)
Which should you choose?
- Choose the Intel Core i9-13980HX if you render video, compile code or run heavy multitasking.
- Choose the Apple M3 if you mainly game or want snappy everyday responsiveness.
- Choose the Intel Core i9-13980HX if you want the highest peak clocks.
Intel Core i9-13980HX vs Apple M3: which should you choose?
Intel Core i9-13980HX — 24-core / 32-thread Intel laptop processor (2023) with a boost clock of 5.6 GHz and 55 W TDP.
Apple M3 — 8-core / 8-thread Apple laptop processor (2023) with a boost clock of 4.05 GHz and 22 W TDP.
Intel Core i9-13980HX vs Apple M3: Intel Core i9-13980HX leads in multi-core performance. Intel Core i9-13980HX is slower than Apple M3 by 8.2% in single-core and faster by 52.1% in multi-core. Apple M3 draws less power (22W vs 55W).
Gaming and single-threaded work
Games and everyday responsiveness lean on single-core speed. The Apple M3 leads there with a single-core score of 3,050 versus 2,800, so it is the marginally better pick for high-refresh gaming — though at typical resolutions the GPU usually decides frame rates.
Content creation and multitasking
For rendering, compilation, video export and other all-core workloads, the Intel Core i9-13980HX is stronger, posting 17,800 multi-core against 11,700. Its 24 cores and 32 threads give it real headroom for heavy parallel jobs.
Power and platform
The Apple M3 is the more efficient chip at 22 W versus 55 W, which means less heat, quieter cooling and lower running costs under sustained load.
The verdict
Both are credible choices in the processor comparison space; the specification table above lays out every metric so you can weigh the trade-offs that matter to you. Pick the one whose strengths line up with how you will actually use it.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Intel Core i9-13980HX better than the Apple M3?
These two are closely matched — the right pick comes down to which specific strengths you value and the price you actually pay. Intel Core i9-13980HX is slower than Apple M3 by 8.2% in single-core and faster by 52.1% in multi-core.
What is the main difference between the Intel Core i9-13980HX and the Apple M3?
Intel Core i9-13980HX is slower than Apple M3 by 8.2% in single-core and faster by 52.1% in multi-core. Apple M3 draws less power (22W vs 55W).
Which should I choose?
Choose the Intel Core i9-13980HX if you render video, compile code or run heavy multitasking. Choose the Apple M3 if you mainly game or want snappy everyday responsiveness.
Methodology
Each processor is scored on a normalized benchmark index aggregating single-core and multi-core results. Single-core predicts responsiveness and gaming; multi-core predicts throughput in rendering and compilation. We also report cores/threads, boost clock and TDP.