Core i5-13420H 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 i5-13420H 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 i5-13420H 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 i5-13420H

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +17.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (17,205 vs 17,218).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 24 MB).
❌60.7% higher power demand at 45W vs 28W.

M1 Pro

2021

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Draws 28W instead of 45W, a 17W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13420H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is M1 Pro better than Core i5-13420H?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-13420H is ahead with a 17.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, M1 Pro pulls ahead with 0.1% 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 0.1% 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?

M1 Pro still makes the most sense overall. M1 Pro comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark.

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

Core i5-13420H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2021). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-13420H vs M1 Pro Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-13420H

The Core i5-13420H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200, LPDDR4x-4267. Passmark benchmark score: 17,205 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.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-13420H packs 8 cores / 12 threads, while the M1 Pro offers 10 cores / 10 threads — the M1 Pro has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13420H versus 3.22 GHz on the M1 Pro — a 35.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-13420H (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.064 GHz). The Core i5-13420H is built on the Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i5-13420H scores 17,205 against the M1 Pro's 17,218 — a 0.1% lead for the M1 Pro. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-13420H vs 24 MB on the M1 Pro.

Feature	Core i5-13420H	M1 Pro
Cores / Threads	8 / 12	10 / 10+25%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+43%	3.22 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz+2%	2.064 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	24 MB+100%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	28 MB+1300%
Process	Intel 7 nm	5 nm-29%
Architecture	Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024)	—
PassMark	17,205	17,218

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13420H uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the M1 Pro uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.