M1 Pro vs Core Ultra 5 125U
M1 Pro
Core Ultra 5 125U
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
Performance Per Dollar Core Ultra 5 125U
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | M1 Pro | Core Ultra 5 125U |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 5 nm) | ✨ Modern (Meteor Lake-P (2023) / 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | M1 Pro | Core Ultra 5 125U |
|---|---|---|
| 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 and Core Ultra 5 125U
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.
Core Ultra 5 125U
The Core Ultra 5 125U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Meteor Lake-P (2023) architecture. It features 12 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 17,152 points. Launch price was $363.
Processing Power
The M1 Pro packs 10 cores / 10 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 125U offers 12 cores / 14 threads — the Core Ultra 5 125U has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.22 GHz on the M1 Pro versus 4.3 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 125U — a 28.7% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 125U (base: 2.064 GHz vs 1.3 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 125U is built on the Meteor Lake-P (2023) architecture. In PassMark, the M1 Pro scores 17,218 against the Core Ultra 5 125U's 17,152 — a 0.4% lead for the M1 Pro. L3 cache: 24 MB on the M1 Pro vs 12 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 125U.
| Feature | M1 Pro | Core Ultra 5 125U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 10 / 10 | 12 / 14+20% |
| Boost Clock | 3.22 GHz | 4.3 GHz+34% |
| Base Clock | 2.064 GHz+59% | 1.3 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 24 MB+100% | 12 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 28 MB+1300% | 2 MB (per core) |
| Process | 5 nm-29% | 7 nm |
| Architecture | — | Meteor Lake-P (2023) |
| PassMark | 17,218 | 17,152 |
Memory & Platform
The M1 Pro uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core Ultra 5 125U uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | M1 Pro | Core Ultra 5 125U |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | none | FCBGA2049 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 5.0+25% |
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