Core Ultra 5 245T vs M4 Pro (12 cores)

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 245T vs M4 Pro (12 cores) 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 245T vs M4 Pro (12 cores): 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 245T

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (32,444 vs 32,853).
❌Launch MSRP is still $270 MSRP, while M4 Pro (12 cores) mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌1525% higher power demand at 65W vs 4W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike M4 Pro (12 cores).

M4 Pro (12 cores)

2024

Why buy it

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 4W instead of 65W, a 61W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Laptop Integrated), unlike Core Ultra 5 245T.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 245T across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 245T better than M4 Pro (12 cores)?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core Ultra 5 245T is ahead with a 9.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, M4 Pro (12 cores) pulls ahead with 1.3% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, M4 Pro (12 cores) is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core Ultra 5 245T is the better buy right now. Core Ultra 5 245T comes in at an unclear MSRP at $270 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that M4 Pro (12 cores) is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.3% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (120.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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, M4 Pro (12 cores) 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?

Core Ultra 5 245T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2024). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core Ultra 5 245T vs M4 Pro (12 cores) Technical Specifications

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

Core Ultra 5 245T

The Core Ultra 5 245T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) architecture. It features 14 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 3 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1851. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 32,444 points. Launch price was $270.

M4 Pro (12 cores)

The M4 Pro (12 cores) is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 30 October 2024 (1 year ago). It features 12 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.592 GHz, with boost up to 4.51 GHz. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 4 MB. Memory support: LPDDR5X. Passmark benchmark score: 32,853 points. Launch price was $499.

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Processing Power

The Core Ultra 5 245T packs 14 cores / 14 threads, while the M4 Pro (12 cores) offers 12 cores / 12 threads — the Core Ultra 5 245T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 245T versus 4.51 GHz on the M4 Pro (12 cores) — a 12.3% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 245T (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.592 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 245T is built on the Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) architecture. In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 245T scores 32,444 against the M4 Pro (12 cores)'s 32,853 — a 1.3% lead for the M4 Pro (12 cores).

Feature	Core Ultra 5 245T	M4 Pro (12 cores)
Cores / Threads	14 / 14+17%	12 / 12
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz+13%	4.51 GHz
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.592 GHz+18%
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	3 MB (per core)	4 MB+33%
Process	3 nm	3 nm
Architecture	Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025)	—
PassMark	32,444	32,853+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	18,904
Geekbench 6 Single	—	3,812
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	20,076

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Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 5 245T uses the LGA1851 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the M4 Pro (12 cores) uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-6400 on the Core Ultra 5 245T versus LPDDR5x-8000 on the M4 Pro (12 cores) — the M4 Pro (12 cores) supports 25% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core Ultra 5 245T supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core Ultra 5 245T) vs 1 (M4 Pro (12 cores)). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core Ultra 5 245T) vs 0 (M4 Pro (12 cores)) — the Core Ultra 5 245T offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 245T	M4 Pro (12 cores)
Socket	LGA1851	none
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-6400	LPDDR5x-8000+25%
Max RAM Capacity	256 GB+300%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2+100%	1
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20	0

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 5 245T) vs Apple Virtualization (M4 Pro (12 cores)). Both include integrated graphics — Arc Xe-LPG 64EU (Core Ultra 5 245T) and M4 Pro 16-core GPU (M4 Pro (12 cores)) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 5 245T targets Desktop Low Power, M4 Pro (12 cores) targets High-end Content Creation. Direct competitor: M4 Pro (12 cores) rivals Ryzen 9 8945HS.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 245T	M4 Pro (12 cores)
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Arc Xe-LPG 64EU	M4 Pro 16-core GPU
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	Apple Virtualization
Target Use	Desktop Low Power	High-end Content Creation