Core i9-11900F 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 i9-11900F 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 i9-11900F 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 i9-11900F

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +24.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 24 MB).
❌80.6% higher power demand at 65W vs 36W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while M2 Pro moves to none and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while M2 Pro can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

M2 Pro

2023

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Draws 36W instead of 65W, a 29W reduction.
✅Newer platform on none with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Apple M2 Pro GPU, while Core i9-11900F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-11900F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (21,939 vs 22,052).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-11900F better than M2 Pro?

Yes. Core i9-11900F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 24.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.5% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-11900F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 24.1% 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 i9-11900F is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Core i9-11900F still makes the most sense overall. Core i9-11900F comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 24.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. 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 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 50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-11900F vs M2 Pro Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-11900F

The Core i9-11900F 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 22,052 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.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i9-11900F packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the M2 Pro offers 12 cores / 12 threads — the M2 Pro has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i9-11900F versus 3.5 GHz on the M2 Pro — a 37.2% clock advantage for the Core i9-11900F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.42 GHz). The Core i9-11900F is built on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i9-11900F scores 22,052 against the M2 Pro's 21,939 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i9-11900F. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-11900F vs 24 MB on the M2 Pro.

Feature	Core i9-11900F	M2 Pro
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	12 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz+46%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+3%	2.42 GHz
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)	24 MB+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+611%	36 MB
Process	14 nm	5 nm-64%
Architecture	Rocket Lake (2021)	—
PassMark	22,052	21,939
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,650
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	14,450

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-11900F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the M2 Pro uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i9-11900F	M2 Pro
Socket	LGA1200	none
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	—	LPDDR5-6400
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i9-11900F) / ARM Virtualization (M2 Pro). The M2 Pro includes integrated graphics (Apple M2 Pro GPU), while the Core i9-11900F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: M2 Pro targets Professional Laptop.