CPU
GPU
M2 Pro 10-Core
Core i9-10850K
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 M2 Pro 10-Core
Performance Per Dollar Core i9-10850K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | M2 Pro 10-Core | Core i9-10850K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($300) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 5 nm) | ✨ Modern (Comet Lake-S (2020) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | M2 Pro 10-Core | Core i9-10850K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($300) |
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 M2 Pro 10-Core and Core i9-10850K
M2 Pro 10-Core
The M2 Pro 10-Core is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 17 January 2023 (2 years ago). It features 10 cores and 10 threads. Base frequency is 2.42 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB. L2 cache: 36 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 36 MB + 24 MB. Memory support: LPDDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 21,939 points. Launch price was $299.
Core i9-10850K
The Core i9-10850K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 July 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-S (2020) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 21,964 points. Launch price was $453.
Processing Power
The M2 Pro 10-Core packs 10 cores / 10 threads, matching the Core i9-10850K's 10 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the M2 Pro 10-Core versus 5.1 GHz on the Core i9-10850K — a 31.8% clock advantage for the Core i9-10850K (base: 2.42 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i9-10850K is built on the Comet Lake-S (2020) architecture. In PassMark, the M2 Pro 10-Core scores 21,939 against the Core i9-10850K's 21,964 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i9-10850K. L3 cache: 24 MB on the M2 Pro 10-Core vs 20 MB (total) on the Core i9-10850K.
| Feature | M2 Pro 10-Core | Core i9-10850K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 10 / 10 | 10 / 20 |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz | 5.1 GHz+38% |
| Base Clock | 2.42 GHz | 3.6 GHz+49% |
| L3 Cache | 24 MB+20% | 20 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 36 MB+14300% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 5 nm-64% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | — | Comet Lake-S (2020) |
| PassMark | 21,939 | 21,964 |
Memory & Platform
The M2 Pro 10-Core uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i9-10850K uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | M2 Pro 10-Core | Core i9-10850K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | none | LGA1200 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0+33% | PCIe 3.0 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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