Core i7-11700K vs M3 Pro 12-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 i7-11700K vs M3 Pro 12-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 i7-11700K vs M3 Pro 12-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 i7-11700K

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +28.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 750, while M3 Pro 12-Core needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $399 MSRP, while M3 Pro 12-Core mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while M3 Pro 12-Core moves to none and DDR5.

M3 Pro 12-Core

2023

Why buy it

✅Newer platform on none with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-11700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (24,170 vs 24,362).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-11700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-11700K better than M3 Pro 12-Core?

Yes. Core i7-11700K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 28.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.8% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-11700K is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 28.0% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-11700K is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Core i7-11700K is the better buy right now. Core i7-11700K comes in at an unclear MSRP at $399 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 28.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (61.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible none + DDR5 setup, M3 Pro 12-Core can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

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

M3 Pro 12-Core makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2021) and a healthier platform with none and DDR5 instead of LGA1200. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-11700K vs M3 Pro 12-Core Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-11700K

The Core i7-11700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 24,362 points. Launch price was $299.

M3 Pro 12-Core

The M3 Pro 12-Core is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 30 October 2023 (2 years ago). It features 12 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.748 GHz, with boost up to 4.06 GHz. Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: none. Memory support: LPDDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 24,170 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-11700K packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the M3 Pro 12-Core offers 12 cores / 12 threads — the M3 Pro 12-Core has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i7-11700K versus 4.06 GHz on the M3 Pro 12-Core — a 20.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-11700K (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.748 GHz). The Core i7-11700K is built on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i7-11700K scores 24,362 against the M3 Pro 12-Core's 24,170 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i7-11700K.

Feature	Core i7-11700K	M3 Pro 12-Core
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	12 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	5 GHz+23%	4.06 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+31%	2.748 GHz
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	512K (per core)	—
Process	14 nm	3 nm-79%
Architecture	Rocket Lake (2021)	—
PassMark	24,362	24,170
Cinebench R23 Multi	14,732	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-11700K uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the M3 Pro 12-Core uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-11700K	M3 Pro 12-Core
Socket	LGA1200	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	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-11700K) / not specified (M3 Pro 12-Core). The Core i7-11700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 750), while the M3 Pro 12-Core requires a dedicated GPU.