Core i7-12800H vs M3 Pro 12-Core
Core i7-12800H
M3 Pro 12-Core
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-12800H
Performance Per Dollar M3 Pro 12-Core
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-12800H | M3 Pro 12-Core |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-H (2022) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 3 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-12800H | M3 Pro 12-Core |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-12800H and M3 Pro 12-Core
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.
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 |
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.
| Feature | Core i7-12800H | M3 Pro 12-Core |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1744 | none |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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