Apple’s M4 Mac Mini has exceeded expectations in performance tests, rivaling high-end desktop processors like Intel’s Arrow Lake 5-245K and AMD’s Ryzen 7 9800X3D. The key difference lies in the operating system: macOS versus Ubuntu Linux.
When compiling code, the M4 Mac Mini showed impressive results, outperforming the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D but falling behind Intel Core Ultra 5-245K. However, power consumption was significantly lower, thanks to macOS’s efficient toolchain and Linux’s PowerCap/RAPL features.
In contrast, during massive LLVM codebase compilation, the M4 Mac Mini came close, with 10-core performance just shy of AMD’s desktop rival. Notably, it achieved better power efficiency compared to Intel Core Ultra 5-245K.
On the other hand, when compressing data with 7-Zip from source, Intel/AMD CPUs on Linux were faster. Nevertheless, the M4 Mac Mini surprised by delivering superior performance per Watt in this test.
Lastly, Zstd compression highlighted the M4 Mac Mini’s exceptional power efficiency compared to its desktop counterparts. This remarkable performance showcases Apple’s M4 chip as a viable option for demanding tasks beyond general productivity.
Source: https://www.phoronix.com/review/apple-m4-intel-amd-linux/3