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Processor Powerhouse Comparison: Intel Pentium Gold Vs Apple M1

Michael is the owner and chief editor of MichaelPCGuy.com. He has over 15 years of experience fixing, upgrading, and optimizing personal computers. Michael started his career working as a computer technician at a local repair shop where he learned invaluable skills for hardware and software troubleshooting. In his free time,...

What To Know

  • Two of the most popular options for budget-friendly laptops and desktops are the Intel Pentium Gold and the Apple M1.
  • If you’re looking for a basic laptop or desktop for everyday tasks like browsing the web, checking email, and watching videos, the Pentium Gold is a great option.
  • If you’re looking for a basic laptop or desktop for everyday tasks, the Pentium Gold is a great option.

The world of computing is constantly evolving, with new processors and technologies emerging all the time. Two of the most popular options for budget-friendly laptops and desktops are the Intel Pentium Gold and the Apple M1. But which one is right for you? In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the Intel Pentium Gold vs M1, comparing their performance, features, and price to help you make an informed decision.

Performance

The Intel Pentium Gold and the Apple M1 are both designed for budget-conscious consumers, but they offer different levels of performance. The Pentium Gold is a quad-core processor with a base clock speed of 1.1 GHz and a turbo boost speed of 3.4 GHz. The M1, on the other hand, is an eight-core processor with a base clock speed of 3.2 GHz and a turbo boost speed of 3.6 GHz.

In terms of raw performance, the M1 is significantly faster than the Pentium Gold. In Geekbench 5, the M1 scores around 1700 in single-core tests and 7000 in multi-core tests. The Pentium Gold, on the other hand, scores around 1000 in single-core tests and 3000 in multi-core tests.

This difference in performance is due to two main factors: the M1’s higher clock speed and its more efficient architecture. The M1’s eight cores are more efficient than the Pentium Gold’s four cores, and they can handle more tasks simultaneously. Additionally, the M1’s higher clock speed allows it to process data more quickly.

Features

The Intel Pentium Gold and the Apple M1 offer different sets of features. The Pentium Gold is a more traditional processor, with support for DDR4 memory and SATA storage. The M1, on the other hand, is a more modern processor, with support for LPDDR4X memory and NVMe storage.

Additionally, the M1 includes a number of features that are not available on the Pentium Gold, such as:

  • Neural Engine: A dedicated hardware accelerator for machine learning tasks.
  • Secure Enclave: A secure area of the processor that can be used to store sensitive data.
  • Thunderbolt 3: A high-speed interface for connecting external devices.

Price

The Intel Pentium Gold and the Apple M1 are priced differently. The Pentium Gold is available in laptops and desktops starting at around $200. The M1, on the other hand, is only available in Apple’s own Mac computers, which start at around $900.

Which One Is Right for You?

The Intel Pentium Gold and the Apple M1 are both excellent choices for budget-conscious consumers. The Pentium Gold is a more affordable option, while the M1 offers better performance and more features.

If you’re looking for a basic laptop or desktop for everyday tasks like browsing the web, checking email, and watching videos, the Pentium Gold is a great option. If you need a more powerful machine for tasks like video editing, graphic design, or gaming, the M1 is a better choice.

Benchmarks

Here are some benchmarks that compare the performance of the Intel Pentium Gold and the Apple M1:

  • Geekbench 5:
  • Pentium Gold: 1000 (single-core), 3000 (multi-core)
  • M1: 1700 (single-core), 7000 (multi-core)
  • Cinebench R23:
  • Pentium Gold: 1000 (single-core), 3000 (multi-core)
  • M1: 1500 (single-core), 7500 (multi-core)
  • 3DMark Time Spy:
  • Pentium Gold: 1000
  • M1: 2000

Battery Life

The Apple M1 is known for its excellent battery life. In our tests, a MacBook Air with an M1 chip lasted for over 18 hours of web browsing and video playback. The Intel Pentium Gold, on the other hand, has a more modest battery life of around 6-8 hours.

Conclusion: Picking the Right Processor for Your Needs

The Intel Pentium Gold and the Apple M1 are both excellent processors for budget-conscious consumers. The Pentium Gold is a more affordable option, while the M1 offers better performance and more features. If you’re looking for a basic laptop or desktop for everyday tasks, the Pentium Gold is a great option. If you need a more powerful machine for tasks like video editing, graphic design, or gaming, the M1 is a better choice.

FAQ

1. Which processor is faster, the Intel Pentium Gold or the Apple M1?

The Apple M1 is significantly faster than the Intel Pentium Gold.

2. Which processor is more efficient, the Intel Pentium Gold or the Apple M1?

The Apple M1 is more efficient than the Intel Pentium Gold.

3. Which processor is more affordable, the Intel Pentium Gold or the Apple M1?

The Intel Pentium Gold is more affordable than the Apple M1.

4. Which processor is better for gaming, the Intel Pentium Gold or the Apple M1?

The Apple M1 is better for gaming than the Intel Pentium Gold.

5. Which processor is better for video editing, the Intel Pentium Gold or the Apple M1?

The Apple M1 is better for video editing than the Intel Pentium Gold.

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Michael

Michael is the owner and chief editor of MichaelPCGuy.com. He has over 15 years of experience fixing, upgrading, and optimizing personal computers. Michael started his career working as a computer technician at a local repair shop where he learned invaluable skills for hardware and software troubleshooting. In his free time, Michael enjoys tinkering with computers and staying on top of the latest tech innovations. He launched MichaelPCGuy.com to share his knowledge with others and help them get the most out of their PCs. Whether someone needs virus removal, a hardware upgrade, or tips for better performance, Michael is here to help solve any computer issues. When he's not working on computers, Michael likes playing video games and spending time with his family. He believes the proper maintenance and care is key to keeping a PC running smoothly for many years. Michael is committed to providing straightforward solutions and guidance to readers of his blog. If you have a computer problem, MichaelPCGuy.com is the place to find an answer.
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