Apple M6 (12-core) vs Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
98.1Single-core65.3
70.6Multi-core42.2
100Efficiencyspec-based88.5
—iGPU76.9
42.2Platformspec-based35.9
10 spec wins — Apple M6 (12-core)0 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
InnoReviews verdict
Apple M6 (12-core) wins this laptop processor face-off, 78.4 to 57.4, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+33) and multi-core (+28). Intel Core Ultra 7 256V still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Apple M6 (12-core)
- Stronger single-core score: 98 vs 65
- Stronger multi-core score: 71 vs 42
- 100% higher Max memory: 32 GB vs 16 GB
- 91% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 20,676 vs 10,850
- 86% higher PassMark: 36,310 vs 19,478
Reasons to pick the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
No decisive spec advantages — this side competes on price and preference.
General
| Spec | Apple M6 (12-core) | Intel Core Ultra 7 256V |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2026 | 2024 |
| Process | 2 nm+33% | 3 nm |
| Base TDP | — | 17 W |
| Max TDP | — | 37 W |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M6 (12-core) | Intel Core Ultra 7 256V |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 12+50% | 8 |
| Performance cores | 6+50% | 4 |
| Efficiency cores | 6+50% | 4 |
| Threads | 12+50% | 8 |
| Base clock | — | 2.2 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.8 GHz | 4.8 GHz |
| L3 cache | — | 12 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M6 (12-core) | Intel Core Ultra 7 256V |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 12-core GPU | Intel Arc 140V |
| iGPU clock | — | 1,950 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M6 (12-core) | Intel Core Ultra 7 256V |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5X | LPDDR5X-8533 (on-package) |
| Max memory | 32 GB+100% | 16 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M6 (12-core) | Intel Core Ultra 7 256V |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 4,610+67%Top 2% | 2,753Top 35% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 20,676+91%Top 11% | 10,850Bottom 47% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | — | 1,876Top 31% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | — | 10,244Bottom 41% |
| PassMark | 36,310+86%Top 17% | 19,478Bottom 49% |
| 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU) | — | 3,883Top 4% |
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