M1 Pro vs Xeon E5-4669 v3

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 E5-4669 v3 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 E5-4669 v3: 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

✅Draws 28W instead of 135W, a 107W reduction.
✅Newer platform on none with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-4669 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (17,218 vs 17,430).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 45 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-4669 v3, which brings 18 cores / 36 threads.

Xeon E5-4669 v3

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (45 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 18 cores / 36 threads.

Trade-offs

❌382.1% higher power demand at 135W vs 28W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2011 with DDR4, while M1 Pro moves to none and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-4669 v3 better than M1 Pro?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-4669 v3 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 gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-4669 v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.0% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-4669 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 18 cores and 36 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 87.5% larger total L3 cache (45 MB vs 24 MB).

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

Xeon E5-4669 v3 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E5-4669 v3 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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 2015) and a healthier platform with none and DDR5 instead of LGA2011. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

M1 Pro vs Xeon E5-4669 v3 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 E5-4669 v3

The Xeon E5-4669 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 45 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 135 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 17,430 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The M1 Pro packs 10 cores / 10 threads, while the Xeon E5-4669 v3 offers 18 cores / 36 threads — the Xeon E5-4669 v3 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.22 GHz on the M1 Pro versus 2.9 GHz on the Xeon E5-4669 v3 — a 10.5% clock advantage for the M1 Pro (base: 2.064 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Xeon E5-4669 v3 is built on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. In PassMark, the M1 Pro scores 17,218 against the Xeon E5-4669 v3's 17,430 — a 1.2% lead for the Xeon E5-4669 v3. L3 cache: 24 MB on the M1 Pro vs 45 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-4669 v3.

Feature	M1 Pro	Xeon E5-4669 v3
Cores / Threads	10 / 10	18 / 36+80%
Boost Clock	3.22 GHz+11%	2.9 GHz
Base Clock	2.064 GHz	2.1 GHz+2%
L3 Cache	24 MB	45 MB (total)+88%
L2 Cache	28 MB	256K (per core)+814%
Process	5 nm-77%	22 nm
Architecture	—	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	17,218	17,430+1%

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Memory & Platform

The M1 Pro uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-4669 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.