Core Ultra 5 135H 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 Ultra 5 135H 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 Ultra 5 135H 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 Ultra 5 135H

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +20.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 24 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while M2 Pro can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

M2 Pro

2023

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Apple M2 Pro GPU, while Core Ultra 5 135H needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 135H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (21,939 vs 22,116).

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 135H better than M2 Pro?

Yes. Core Ultra 5 135H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 20.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.8% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core Ultra 5 135H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 20.8% 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 Ultra 5 135H is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 18 threads.

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

Core Ultra 5 135H still makes the most sense overall. Core Ultra 5 135H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 20.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core Ultra 5 135H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 18 threads instead of 12/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core Ultra 5 135H vs M2 Pro Technical Specifications

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

Core Ultra 5 135H

The Core Ultra 5 135H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Meteor Lake-H (2023) architecture. It features 14 cores and 18 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): + 18 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 22,116 points. Launch price was $342.

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 Ultra 5 135H packs 14 cores / 18 threads, while the M2 Pro offers 12 cores / 12 threads — the Core Ultra 5 135H has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 135H versus 3.5 GHz on the M2 Pro — a 27.2% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 135H (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.42 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 135H is built on the Meteor Lake-H (2023) architecture. In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 135H scores 22,116 against the M2 Pro's 21,939 — a 0.8% lead for the Core Ultra 5 135H. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 135H vs 24 MB on the M2 Pro.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 135H	M2 Pro
Cores / Threads	14 / 18+17%	12 / 12
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+31%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+49%	2.42 GHz
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	24 MB+33%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	36 MB+1700%
Process	7 nm	5 nm-29%
Architecture	Meteor Lake-H (2023)	—
PassMark	22,116	21,939
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,650
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	14,450

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Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 5 135H uses the FCBGA2049 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the M2 Pro uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 135H	M2 Pro
Socket	FCBGA2049	none
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	—	LPDDR5-6400
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	0

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core Ultra 5 135H) / ARM Virtualization (M2 Pro). The M2 Pro includes integrated graphics (Apple M2 Pro GPU), while the Core Ultra 5 135H requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: M2 Pro targets Professional Laptop.