Core i7-13700TE vs M2 Pro

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 i7-13700TE vs M2 Pro 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 i7-13700TE vs M2 Pro: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i7-13700TE

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +16.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 36W, a 1W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (10,000 vs 14,450).
❌Launch MSRP is still $390 MSRP, while M2 Pro mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

M2 Pro

2023

Why buy it

✅+44.5% higher Geekbench multi-core.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-13700TE across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 30 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-13700TE better than M2 Pro?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-13700TE is ahead with a 16.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, M2 Pro pulls ahead with 44.5% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i7-13700TE also has the bigger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 24 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, M2 Pro is the stronger fit. You are getting 44.5% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 12 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i7-13700TE is the better buy right now. Core i7-13700TE comes in at an unclear MSRP at $390 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 16.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that M2 Pro is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 44.5% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (56.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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, M2 Pro 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?

M2 Pro is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Core i7-13700TE vs M2 Pro Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-13700TE

The Core i7-13700TE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 22,026 points. Launch price was $299.

M2 Pro

The M2 Pro is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 17 January 2023 (2 years ago). It features 12 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.42 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB. L2 cache: 36 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 36 MB + 24 MB. Memory support: LPDDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 21,939 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-13700TE packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the M2 Pro offers 12 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-13700TE has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-13700TE versus 3.5 GHz on the M2 Pro — a 31.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-13700TE (base: 1.1 GHz vs 2.42 GHz). The Core i7-13700TE is built on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i7-13700TE scores 22,026 against the M2 Pro's 21,939 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i7-13700TE. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,000 vs 2,650, a 28% lead for the M2 Pro that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 10,000 vs 14,450 (36.4% advantage for the M2 Pro). L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i7-13700TE vs 24 MB on the M2 Pro.

Feature	Core i7-13700TE	M2 Pro
Cores / Threads	16 / 24+33%	12 / 12
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz+37%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	2.42 GHz+120%
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)+25%	24 MB
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	36 MB+1700%
Process	10 nm	5 nm-50%
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	—
PassMark	22,026	21,939
Geekbench 6 Single	2,000	2,650+33%
Geekbench 6 Multi	10,000	14,450+45%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-13700TE uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the M2 Pro uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Core i7-13700TE versus LPDDR5-6400 on the M2 Pro — the M2 Pro supports 14.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-13700TE supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-13700TE) vs 0 (M2 Pro) — the Core i7-13700TE offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 600 Series,Intel 700 Series (Core i7-13700TE) and Apple Silicon (M2 Pro).

Feature	Core i7-13700TE	M2 Pro
Socket	LGA1700	none
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600	LPDDR5-6400+14%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+300%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20	0

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: Yes (Core i7-13700TE) vs ARM Virtualization (M2 Pro). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 770 (Core i7-13700TE) and Apple M2 Pro GPU (M2 Pro) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-13700TE targets Embedded, M2 Pro targets Professional Laptop.

Feature	Core i7-13700TE	M2 Pro
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 770	Apple M2 Pro GPU
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	Yes	ARM Virtualization
Target Use	Embedded	Professional Laptop