Core i5-12600T vs M1 Pro 8-Core
Core i5-12600T
M1 Pro 8-Core
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-12600T
Performance Per Dollar M1 Pro 8-Core
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-12600T | M1 Pro 8-Core |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($223) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 5 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-12600T | M1 Pro 8-Core |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($223) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-12600T and M1 Pro 8-Core
Core i5-12600T
The Core i5-12600T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 17,427 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.
Processing Power
The Core i5-12600T 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 i5-12600T versus 3.22 GHz on the M1 Pro 8-Core — a 35.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-12600T (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.06 GHz). The Core i5-12600T is built on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i5-12600T scores 17,427 against the M1 Pro 8-Core's 17,218 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i5-12600T. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12600T vs 16 MB on the M1 Pro 8-Core.
| Feature | Core i5-12600T | M1 Pro 8-Core |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 8 / 8+33% |
| Boost Clock | 4.6 GHz+43% | 3.22 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.1 GHz+2% | 2.06 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 18 MB (total)+13% | 16 MB |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 28 MB+2140% |
| Process | Intel 7 nm | 5 nm-29% |
| Architecture | Alder Lake-S (2022) | — |
| PassMark | 17,427+1% | 17,218 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-12600T uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the M1 Pro 8-Core uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-4800 memory speed. The Core i5-12600T supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-12600T) vs 4 (M1 Pro 8-Core). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12600T) vs 0 (M1 Pro 8-Core) — the Core i5-12600T offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Core i5-12600T | M1 Pro 8-Core |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 | none |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 4.0+33% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4800 | LPDDR5-6400 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB+300% | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 4+100% |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i5-12600T supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-12600T) vs Virtualization (M1 Pro 8-Core). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 770 (Core i5-12600T) 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: M1 Pro 8-Core targets Mobile.
| Feature | Core i5-12600T | M1 Pro 8-Core |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | UHD Graphics 770 | Apple M1 Pro GPU (14-core) |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | Yes | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | Virtualization |
| Target Use | — | Mobile |
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