Early Geekbench reports show the new 12th-generation Core i9 processor clocking faster speeds than the Apple Silicon M1 Max, however it comes at a price.

First the numbers. Geekbench 5 results have scored the MSI GE76 Raider with the Core i9-12900HK processor has an average multi-core score of 12,707, while the 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M1 Max chip has an average multi-core score of 12,244. That makes the Intel machine around 4% faster.

However, there’s a few things to put this into context.

• PC World tested the machine and found the power draw while running the CPU-only Cinebench R23 benchmark was consistently around 100 watts, even peaking to an eye-watering 140 watts. Running the same test the 16” MacBook Pro was drawing around 40 watts from the wall, according to AnandTech. This will affect battery life and also have a possible bearing on heat and accordingly fan noise too.

• The machine tested was also considerably thicker and heavier. Over an inch thick!

• The MSI GE76 Raider is $3999 - making it more expensive than the Apple alternative and the Apple has an impressive screen for example. The MSI GE76 Raider has only a 1080p screen… in 2022!

Verdict

In their summary when reviewing the GE76, the Verge has this to say;

“But that comes with some heavy caveats. First, the Raider is more expensive than a comparable Apple machine (which also pairs those specs with a stunning high-resolution screen that makes this one look like it belongs on a Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn). And second, this device is guzzling desktop-level wattage in order to achieve the same results that the M1 Max doesn’t even really need to try for. Not only did our 16-inch MacBook Pro last over twice as long on battery as the Raider did, but it can also reproduce those benchmark results while it’s running on battery. Again, this Apple comparison likely won’t matter to the Raider’s target audience, but it matters in terms of placing these results in the broader context of Intel’s path forward.

Overall, what we’ve learned here is that (when it comes to raw performance, not battery life) Alder Lake shines when the all conditions are right. The GE76 Raider demonstrates that if you give Intel all the cooling and all the power it could possibly want, and you pair it with Nvidia’s top-of-the-line, you get a damn powerful machine. Gold star for Intel! Now, let’s wait and see how well these chips do in a computer that has significant constraints. The ones where battery life matters a lot. And the ones that, you know, we might all actually be able to buy. I’m not super optimistic.”

If you are building a desktop then some of the above hardly matters, but it’s a good like-for-like comparison for those wanting to see them. Apple has made a strong start, but Intel isn’t about to lie down and die.

Now The Good News

Bearing in mind that Apple is yet to unleash it’s more powerful and efficient M2 chips for professional machines like the Apple Silicon powered Mac Pro, there’s still a lot more power to come from Apple.

Whatever path you choose to follow, here’s the good news. Chip technology is getting better from both Apple and Intel, giving us faster machines than we could have ever imagined. The game of cat and mouse between chip developers is ultimately good news for us the buyer.

Watch this space.