Core i7-11700KF 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 i7-11700KF 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 i7-11700KF 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 i7-11700KF

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +27.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (23,811 vs 24,170).
❌Launch MSRP is still $374 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

✅+1.5% higher PassMark.
✅Newer platform on none with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-11700KF across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

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

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-11700KF is ahead with a 27.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, M3 Pro 12-Core pulls ahead with 1.5% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, M3 Pro 12-Core is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.5% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i7-11700KF is the better buy right now. Core i7-11700KF comes in at an unclear MSRP at $374 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 27.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that M3 Pro 12-Core is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.5% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (63.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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), a healthier platform with none and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 12 threads instead of 8/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

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

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

Core i7-11700KF

The Core i7-11700KF 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: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 23,811 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 i7-11700KF 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 i7-11700KF versus 4.06 GHz on the M3 Pro 12-Core — a 20.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-11700KF (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.748 GHz). The Core i7-11700KF is built on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i7-11700KF scores 23,811 against the M3 Pro 12-Core's 24,170 — a 1.5% lead for the M3 Pro 12-Core.

Feature	Core i7-11700KF	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	256K (per core)	—
Process	14 nm	3 nm-79%
Architecture	Rocket Lake (2021)	—
PassMark	23,811	24,170+2%
Cinebench R23 Multi	15,011	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,287	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	10,874	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-11700KF 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.