M1 Pro 8-Core vs Xeon E5-2680 v4
M1 Pro 8-Core
Xeon E5-2680 v4
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 M1 Pro 8-Core
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2680 v4
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | M1 Pro 8-Core | Xeon E5-2680 v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 5 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-EP (2016) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | M1 Pro 8-Core | Xeon E5-2680 v4 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 M1 Pro 8-Core and Xeon E5-2680 v4
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.
Xeon E5-2680 v4
The Xeon E5-2680 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-EP (2016) architecture. It features 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 35 MB. L2 cache: 3.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 17,292 points. Launch price was $1,745.
Processing Power
The M1 Pro 8-Core packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2680 v4 offers 14 cores / 28 threads — the Xeon E5-2680 v4 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.22 GHz on the M1 Pro 8-Core versus 3.3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2680 v4 — a 2.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-2680 v4 (base: 2.06 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Xeon E5-2680 v4 is built on the Broadwell-EP (2016) architecture. In PassMark, the M1 Pro 8-Core scores 17,218 against the Xeon E5-2680 v4's 17,292 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon E5-2680 v4. L3 cache: 16 MB on the M1 Pro 8-Core vs 35 MB on the Xeon E5-2680 v4.
| Feature | M1 Pro 8-Core | Xeon E5-2680 v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 8 | 14 / 28+75% |
| Boost Clock | 3.22 GHz | 3.3 GHz+2% |
| Base Clock | 2.06 GHz | 2.4 GHz+17% |
| L3 Cache | 16 MB | 35 MB+119% |
| L2 Cache | 28 MB+700% | 3.5 MB |
| Process | 5 nm-64% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | — | Broadwell-EP (2016) |
| PassMark | 17,218 | 17,292 |
Memory & Platform
The M1 Pro 8-Core uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-2680 v4 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR5-6400 on the M1 Pro 8-Core versus 2400 on the Xeon E5-2680 v4 — the Xeon E5-2680 v4 supports 199.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-2680 v4 supports up to 1536 of RAM compared to 32 GB — 191.8% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 4-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (M1 Pro 8-Core) vs 40 (Xeon E5-2680 v4) — the Xeon E5-2680 v4 offers 40 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | M1 Pro 8-Core | Xeon E5-2680 v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | none | LGA2011 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0+33% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | LPDDR5-6400 | 2400+47900% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB+2184433% | 1536 |
| RAM Channels | 4 | 4 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 40 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: Virtualization (M1 Pro 8-Core) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E5-2680 v4). The M1 Pro 8-Core includes integrated graphics (Apple M1 Pro GPU (14-core)), while the Xeon E5-2680 v4 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: M1 Pro 8-Core targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Xeon E5-2680 v4 rivals Xeon Silver 4114.
| Feature | M1 Pro 8-Core | Xeon E5-2680 v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Apple M1 Pro GPU (14-core) | None |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Mobile | — |
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