M1 Pro vs Xeon E5-2689 v4

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.

M1 Pro vs Xeon E5-2689 v4 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.

M1 Pro vs Xeon E5-2689 v4: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

M1 Pro

2021

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 28W instead of 165W, a 137W reduction.
✅Newer platform on none with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011-3 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2689 v4 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2689 v4, which brings 10 cores / 20 threads.

Xeon E5-2689 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 10 cores / 20 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (17,084 vs 17,218).
❌Launch MSRP is still $2,723 MSRP, while M1 Pro mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌489.3% higher power demand at 165W vs 28W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2011-3 with DDR4, while M1 Pro moves to none and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is M1 Pro better than Xeon E5-2689 v4?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2689 v4 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while M1 Pro is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, M1 Pro is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 10 threads.

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

M1 Pro is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-2689 v4 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. M1 Pro comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $2,723 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2689 v4 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 4.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E5-2689 v4 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (6.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

M1 Pro makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2016), a healthier platform with none and DDR5 instead of LGA2011-3, and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 10 threads instead of 10/20. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

M1 Pro vs Xeon E5-2689 v4 Technical Specifications

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

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.