FirePro A320 vs M1 Pro 8-Core

FirePro A320 vs M1 Pro 8-Core Performance Spectrum

FirePro A320

4 / 4

2,153

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

M1 Pro 8-Core

8 / 8

17,218

+699.7%

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.

FirePro A320 vs M1 Pro 8-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.

FirePro A320 vs M1 Pro 8-Core: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

FirePro A320

2012

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than M1 Pro 8-Core across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,153 vs 17,218).
❌257.1% higher power demand at 100W vs 28W.
❌Older platform position on FM2, while M1 Pro 8-Core moves to none and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while M1 Pro 8-Core can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

M1 Pro 8-Core

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +229.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 28W instead of 100W, a 72W reduction.
✅Newer platform on none with DDR5 support instead of FM2 and older memory support.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Apple M1 Pro GPU (14-core), while FirePro A320 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is M1 Pro 8-Core better than FirePro A320?

Yes. M1 Pro 8-Core is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 229.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 699.7% 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, M1 Pro 8-Core is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 229.3% 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, M1 Pro 8-Core is the stronger fit. You are getting 699.7% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

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

M1 Pro 8-Core still makes the most sense overall. M1 Pro 8-Core comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 229.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

M1 Pro 8-Core makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2012), a healthier platform with none and DDR5 instead of FM2, and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

FirePro A320 vs M1 Pro 8-Core Technical Specifications

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

FirePro A320

The FirePro A320 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L2 cache: 4 MB (total). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 100 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 2,153 points. Launch price was $800.

M1 Pro 8-Core

The M1 Pro 8-Core is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 18 October 2021 (4 years ago). It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.06 GHz, with boost up to 3.22 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 28 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 MB + 16 MB. Memory support: LPDDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 17,218 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The FirePro A320 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the M1 Pro 8-Core offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the M1 Pro 8-Core has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the FirePro A320 versus 3.22 GHz on the M1 Pro 8-Core — a 26.4% clock advantage for the FirePro A320 (base: 3.8 GHz vs 2.06 GHz). The FirePro A320 is built on the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture. In PassMark, the FirePro A320 scores 2,153 against the M1 Pro 8-Core's 17,218 — a 155.5% lead for the M1 Pro 8-Core.

Feature	FirePro A320	M1 Pro 8-Core
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	8 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+30%	3.22 GHz
Base Clock	3.8 GHz+84%	2.06 GHz
L3 Cache	—	16 MB
L2 Cache	4 MB (total)	28 MB+600%
Process	32 nm	5 nm-84%
Architecture	Trinity (2012−2013)	—
PassMark	2,153	17,218+700%

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Memory & Platform

The FirePro A320 uses the FM2 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the M1 Pro 8-Core uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	FirePro A320	M1 Pro 8-Core
Socket	FM2	none
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 4.0+100%
Max RAM Speed	—	LPDDR5-6400
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	0

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (FirePro A320) / Virtualization (M1 Pro 8-Core). The M1 Pro 8-Core includes integrated graphics (Apple M1 Pro GPU (14-core)), while the FirePro A320 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: M1 Pro 8-Core targets Mobile.