Core i5-11500B vs M1 Pro 8-Core

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 8-Core 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 8-Core: 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: +8.8% 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.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (17,075 vs 17,218).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $185 MSRP, while M1 Pro 8-Core mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌Older platform position on FCBGA1787 with DDR4, while M1 Pro 8-Core moves to none and DDR5.

M1 Pro 8-Core

2021

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 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.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-11500B better than M1 Pro 8-Core?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-11500B is ahead with a 8.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, M1 Pro 8-Core pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark. M1 Pro 8-Core also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, M1 Pro 8-Core is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 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 $185 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that M1 Pro 8-Core is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.8% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (92.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 8-Core makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a healthier platform with none and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1787, 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 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 8-Core 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 8-Core

The M1 Pro 8-Core is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 18 October 2021 (4 years ago). It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.06 GHz, with boost up to 3.22 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 28 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 MB + 16 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 8-Core offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the M1 Pro 8-Core has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-11500B versus 3.22 GHz on the M1 Pro 8-Core — a 35.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-11500B (base: 3.3 GHz vs 2.06 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 8-Core's 17,218 — a 0.8% lead for the M1 Pro 8-Core. L3 cache: 12 MB on the Core i5-11500B vs 16 MB on the M1 Pro 8-Core.

Feature	Core i5-11500B	M1 Pro 8-Core
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 8+33%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+43%	3.22 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+60%	2.06 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB	16 MB+33%
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 8-Core uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-11500B versus LPDDR5-6400 on the M1 Pro 8-Core — the M1 Pro 8-Core supports 100% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-11500B supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-11500B) vs 4 (M1 Pro 8-Core). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-11500B) vs 0 (M1 Pro 8-Core) — the Core i5-11500B offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i5-11500B	M1 Pro 8-Core
Socket	FCBGA1787	none
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	LPDDR5-6400+100%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+300%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20	0

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i5-11500B supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-11500B) vs Virtualization (M1 Pro 8-Core). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 32EU (Core i5-11500B) and Apple M1 Pro GPU (14-core) (M1 Pro 8-Core) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11500B targets Desktop / Mini PC, M1 Pro 8-Core targets Mobile.

Feature	Core i5-11500B	M1 Pro 8-Core
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 32EU	Apple M1 Pro GPU (14-core)
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	Virtualization
Target Use	Desktop / Mini PC	Mobile