Core i5-11500B vs M1 Pro

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i5-11500B vs M1 Pro FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-11500B vs M1 Pro: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-11500B

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 8W instead of 28W, a 21W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 32EU, while M1 Pro needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (17,075 vs 17,218).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $185 MSRP, while M1 Pro mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌Older platform position on FCBGA1787 with DDR4, while M1 Pro moves to none and DDR5.

M1 Pro

2021

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Newer platform on none with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1787 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-11500B across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌273.3% higher power demand at 28W vs 7.5W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-11500B can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-11500B better than M1 Pro?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-11500B is ahead with a 5.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, M1 Pro pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark. M1 Pro also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 12 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, M1 Pro is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 10 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 12 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-11500B is the better buy right now. Core i5-11500B comes in at an unclear MSRP at $185 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that M1 Pro is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.8% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (92.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

M1 Pro makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a healthier platform with none and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1787, 100% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 10 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-11500B vs M1 Pro Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i5-11500B

The Core i5-11500B is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB. L2 cache: 7.5 MB. Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1787. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 17,075 points. Launch price was $299.

M1 Pro

The M1 Pro is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 18 October 2021 (4 years ago). It features 10 cores and 10 threads. Base frequency is 2.064 GHz, with boost up to 3.22 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB. L2 cache: 28 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 MB + 24 MB. Memory support: LPDDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 17,218 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-11500B packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the M1 Pro offers 10 cores / 10 threads — the M1 Pro has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-11500B versus 3.22 GHz on the M1 Pro — a 35.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-11500B (base: 3.3 GHz vs 2.064 GHz). The Core i5-11500B is built on the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i5-11500B scores 17,075 against the M1 Pro's 17,218 — a 0.8% lead for the M1 Pro. L3 cache: 12 MB on the Core i5-11500B vs 24 MB on the M1 Pro.

Feature	Core i5-11500B	M1 Pro
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	10 / 10+67%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+43%	3.22 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+60%	2.064 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB	24 MB+100%
L2 Cache	7.5 MB	28 MB+273%
Process	10 nm	5 nm-50%
Architecture	Tiger Lake-H (2021)	—
PassMark	17,075	17,218

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11500B uses the FCBGA1787 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the M1 Pro uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-11500B	M1 Pro
Socket	FCBGA1787	none
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-11500B) / not specified (M1 Pro). The Core i5-11500B includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 32EU), while the M1 Pro requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11500B targets Desktop / Mini PC.