
M1 Pro vs Xeon E5-2689 v4

M1 Pro

Xeon E5-2689 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
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2689 v4
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | M1 Pro | Xeon E5-2689 v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($100) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 5 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Broadwell (2015−2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | M1 Pro | Xeon E5-2689 v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($100) |
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 Xeon E5-2689 v4
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.

Xeon E5-2689 v4
The Xeon E5-2689 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB. L2 cache: 2.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 17,084 points. Launch price was $2,723.
Processing Power
The M1 Pro packs 10 cores / 10 threads, matching the Xeon E5-2689 v4's 10 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.22 GHz on the M1 Pro versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-2689 v4 — a 16.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-2689 v4 (base: 2.064 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Xeon E5-2689 v4 is built on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. In PassMark, the M1 Pro scores 17,218 against the Xeon E5-2689 v4's 17,084 — a 0.8% lead for the M1 Pro. L3 cache: 24 MB on the M1 Pro vs 25 MB on the Xeon E5-2689 v4.
| Feature | M1 Pro | Xeon E5-2689 v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 10 / 10 | 10 / 20 |
| Boost Clock | 3.22 GHz | 3.8 GHz+18% |
| Base Clock | 2.064 GHz | 3.1 GHz+50% |
| L3 Cache | 24 MB | 25 MB+4% |
| L2 Cache | 28 MB+1020% | 2.5 MB |
| Process | 5 nm-64% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | — | Broadwell (2015−2019) |
| PassMark | 17,218 | 17,084 |
Memory & Platform
The M1 Pro uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-2689 v4 uses LGA2011-3 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | M1 Pro | Xeon E5-2689 v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | none | LGA2011-3 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0+33% | PCIe 3.0 |
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