Core Ultra 5 235U vs M1 Pro
Core Ultra 5 235U
M1 Pro
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 Ultra 5 235U
Performance Per Dollar M1 Pro
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core Ultra 5 235U | M1 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Arrow Lake-U (2025) / 5 nm) | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 5 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core Ultra 5 235U | M1 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Ultra 5 235U and M1 Pro
Core Ultra 5 235U
The Core Ultra 5 235U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-U (2025) architecture. It features 12 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): 14 MB + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 17,397 points. Launch price was $299.
M1 Pro
The M1 Pro is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 18 October 2021 (4 years ago). It features 10 cores and 10 threads. Base frequency is 2.064 GHz, with boost up to 3.22 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB. L2 cache: 28 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 MB + 24 MB. Memory support: LPDDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 17,218 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
The Core Ultra 5 235U packs 12 cores / 14 threads, while the M1 Pro offers 10 cores / 10 threads — the Core Ultra 5 235U has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 235U versus 3.22 GHz on the M1 Pro — a 41.4% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 235U (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.064 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 235U is built on the Arrow Lake-U (2025) architecture. In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 235U scores 17,397 against the M1 Pro's 17,218 — a 1% lead for the Core Ultra 5 235U. L3 cache: 12 MB on the Core Ultra 5 235U vs 24 MB on the M1 Pro.
| Feature | Core Ultra 5 235U | M1 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 12 / 14+20% | 10 / 10 |
| Boost Clock | 4.9 GHz+52% | 3.22 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.4 GHz+16% | 2.064 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB | 24 MB+100% |
| L2 Cache | — | 28 MB |
| Process | 5 nm | 5 nm |
| Architecture | Arrow Lake-U (2025) | — |
| PassMark | 17,397+1% | 17,218 |
Memory & Platform
The Core Ultra 5 235U uses the FCBGA2049 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the M1 Pro uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core Ultra 5 235U | M1 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA2049 | none |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+25% | PCIe 4.0 |
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