Core i7-12700K vs M3 Pro 11-Core
Core i7-12700K
M3 Pro 11-Core
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 i7-12700K
Performance Per Dollar M3 Pro 11-Core
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-12700K | M3 Pro 11-Core |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($285) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) / 10 nm) | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 3 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-12700K | M3 Pro 11-Core |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($285) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 i7-12700K and M3 Pro 11-Core
Core i7-12700K
The Core i7-12700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 November 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture. It features 12 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 34,347 points. Launch price was $409.
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 i7-12700K packs 12 cores / 20 threads, while the M3 Pro 11-Core offers 11 cores / 11 threads — the Core i7-12700K has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i7-12700K versus 4.06 GHz on the M3 Pro 11-Core — a 20.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-12700K (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.748 GHz). The Core i7-12700K is built on the Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i7-12700K scores 34,347 against the M3 Pro 11-Core's 24,861 — a 32% lead for the Core i7-12700K.
| Feature | Core i7-12700K | M3 Pro 11-Core |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 12 / 20+9% | 11 / 11 |
| Boost Clock | 5 GHz+23% | 4.06 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.6 GHz+31% | 2.748 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 25 MB (total) | — |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | — |
| Process | 10 nm | 3 nm-70% |
| Architecture | Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021) | — |
| PassMark | 34,347+38% | 24,861 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-12700K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the M3 Pro 11-Core uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i7-12700K | M3 Pro 11-Core |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 | none |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+25% | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 4800 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ✅ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-12700K) / not specified (M3 Pro 11-Core). The Core i7-12700K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the M3 Pro 11-Core requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-12700K rivals Ryzen 7 5800X.
| Feature | Core i7-12700K | M3 Pro 11-Core |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Intel UHD Graphics 770 | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
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The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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