Core i9-9920X vs M3 Pro 11-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 i9-9920X vs M3 Pro 11-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 i9-9920X vs M3 Pro 11-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 i9-9920X

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $1,189 MSRP, while M3 Pro 11-Core mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌Older platform position on LGA2066 with DDR4, while M3 Pro 11-Core moves to none and DDR5.

M3 Pro 11-Core

2023

Why buy it

✅Newer platform on none with DDR5 support instead of LGA2066 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-9920X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (24,861 vs 24,974).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-9920X better than M3 Pro 11-Core?

Yes. Core i9-9920X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.7% 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 i9-9920X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.7% 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 i9-9920X is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads.

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

Core i9-9920X is the better buy right now. Core i9-9920X comes in at an unclear MSRP at $1,189 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (21.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 11-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 11-Core makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2018) and a healthier platform with none and DDR5 instead of LGA2066. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-9920X vs M3 Pro 11-Core Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-9920X

The Core i9-9920X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 19.25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 24,974 points. Launch price was $1,189.

M3 Pro 11-Core

The M3 Pro 11-Core is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 30 October 2023 (2 years ago). It features 11 cores and 11 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: 24,861 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i9-9920X packs 12 cores / 24 threads, while the M3 Pro 11-Core offers 11 cores / 11 threads — the Core i9-9920X has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i9-9920X versus 4.06 GHz on the M3 Pro 11-Core — a 10.3% clock advantage for the Core i9-9920X (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.748 GHz). The Core i9-9920X is built on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i9-9920X scores 24,974 against the M3 Pro 11-Core's 24,861 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i9-9920X.

Feature	Core i9-9920X	M3 Pro 11-Core
Cores / Threads	12 / 24+9%	11 / 11
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz+11%	4.06 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+27%	2.748 GHz
L3 Cache	19.25 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	—
Process	14 nm	3 nm-79%
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	—
PassMark	24,974	24,861

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-9920X uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the M3 Pro 11-Core uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.