Apple Silicon VS Intel Core i9

Two very different philosophies of computing.
Efficiency versus raw power.

↓ Scroll to understand the difference

How These Chips Are Built

Apple M-Series (ARM / RISC)

Apple Silicon is based on ARM architecture and follows a RISC design philosophy to keep instructions simple and execute them very fast.

RISC: Reduced Instruction Set Computer

System on a Chip (SOC): CPU, GPU, memory, and accelerators live on one chip.
High efficiency: More work per watt, less wasted energy.
Runs cool: Great performance without loud fans.
Performance + Efficiency cores: Heavy tasks use fast cores, background tasks use small ones.

Intel Core i9 (x86 / CISC)

Intel uses the x86 architecture with a CISC approach to make fewer instructions, but each one can do a lot.

CISC: Complex Instruction Set Computer

Modular design: CPU, GPU, and RAM are separate components.
High raw performance: Very strong in sustained, heavy workloads.
High power draw: Can exceed 125W under load.
Brute force approach: High clocks, many cores, lots of power.

RISC vs CISC — explained in real life

Think of RISC (Apple) like a modern factory assembly line. Every worker does one small, simple task at a time, but they do it extremely fast. To finish a product, you need more steps, but each step is very efficient and predictable.

Now imagine that same factory also has everything it needs already inside the building. The tools, the parts, the materials - nothing needs to be fetched from outside. That’s how Apple Silicon works: the CPU, GPU, and memory are all close together, so work flows smoothly with very little waiting.

CISC (Intel), on the other hand, is like a highly skilled craftsman working alone. One person can do many complex things at once — cut, drill, assemble — all in a single step. Fewer steps are needed, but each step takes more effort and energy.

With a traditional PC, it’s like cooking a meal but having to go out and buy ingredients from different stores every time. The CPU works, then waits for memory, then waits for the GPU. It still gets the job done, sometimes very powerfully, but there’s more back-and-forth and more overhead.

Conceptual comparison between RISC and CISC

How Memory Works

Unified memory architecture flow diagram

Unified Memory (Apple)

Apple Silicon uses one shared memory pool. The CPU and GPU read the same data directly, without copying it back and forth.

                        // Apple Silicon: no memory
                            copy

                        const texture =
                        loadTexture("4k_texture.png");

                        gpu.render(texture);
                    

Split Memory (Traditional PCs)

On most PCs, the CPU and GPU have separate memory. Data must be copied over PCIe, which adds delay.

                        // Traditional PC: memory
                            copy required

                        const cpuData =
                        loadTexture("4k_texture.png");

                        const gpuData =
                        cudaMemcpy(cpuData);

                        gpu.render(gpuData);
                    

5nm - 3nm Apple chip manufacturing
Smaller transistors = more performance using less power

10nm - 7nm Intel chip manufacturing
Larger transistors = more power draw and heat

~20 watts Apple M-Series power use
quiet and efficient

100W+ Intel Core i9 power use
high performance but energy-hungry and leading to heat and throttling