Core i7-12800H 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 i7-12800H 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 i7-12800H 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 i7-12800H

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (24,119 vs 24,170).

M3 Pro 12-Core

2023

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-12800H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is M3 Pro 12-Core better than Core i7-12800H?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-12800H is ahead with a 10.8% 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 0.2% 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 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 12 threads.

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

M3 Pro 12-Core still makes the most sense overall. M3 Pro 12-Core comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark.

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 2022) and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 12 threads instead of 14/20. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-12800H vs M3 Pro 12-Core Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-12800H

The Core i7-12800H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 24,119 points. Launch price was $457.

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.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-12800H packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the M3 Pro 12-Core offers 12 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-12800H has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-12800H versus 4.06 GHz on the M3 Pro 12-Core — a 16.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-12800H (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.748 GHz). The Core i7-12800H is built on the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i7-12800H scores 24,119 against the M3 Pro 12-Core's 24,170 — a 0.2% lead for the M3 Pro 12-Core.

Feature	Core i7-12800H	M3 Pro 12-Core
Cores / Threads	14 / 20+17%	12 / 12
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz+18%	4.06 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	2.748 GHz+15%
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	—
Process	Intel 7 nm	3 nm-57%
Architecture	Alder Lake-H (2022)	—
PassMark	24,119	24,170

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-12800H uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the M3 Pro 12-Core uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.