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

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +22.0% 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 16 MB).
❌60.7% higher power demand at 45W vs 28W.
❌No integrated graphics, while M1 Pro 8-Core can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

M1 Pro 8-Core

2021

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Draws 28W instead of 45W, a 17W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Apple M1 Pro GPU (14-core), while Core i5-13420H needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is M1 Pro 8-Core better than Core i5-13420H?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-13420H is ahead with a 22.0% 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 0.1% 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 0.1% 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?

M1 Pro 8-Core still makes the most sense overall. M1 Pro 8-Core 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 8-Core 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 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 i5-13420H packs 8 cores / 12 threads, matching the M1 Pro 8-Core's 8 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13420H versus 3.22 GHz on the M1 Pro 8-Core — a 35.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-13420H (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.06 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 8-Core's 17,218 — a 0.1% lead for the M1 Pro 8-Core. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-13420H vs 16 MB on the M1 Pro 8-Core.

Feature	Core i5-13420H	M1 Pro 8-Core
Cores / Threads	8 / 12	8 / 8
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+43%	3.22 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz+2%	2.06 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	16 MB+33%
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

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13420H uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the M1 Pro 8-Core uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-13420H	M1 Pro 8-Core
Socket	FCBGA1744	none
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	—	LPDDR5-6400
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	0

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-13420H) / Virtualization (M1 Pro 8-Core). The M1 Pro 8-Core includes integrated graphics (Apple M1 Pro GPU (14-core)), while the Core i5-13420H requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: M1 Pro 8-Core targets Mobile.