M2 Pro vs Core i5-10400F
M2 Pro
Core i5-10400F
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
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-10400F
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | M2 Pro | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($102) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 5 nm) | ✨ Modern (Comet Lake (2020−2025) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | M2 Pro | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($102) |
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 and Core i5-10400F
M2 Pro
The M2 Pro is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 17 January 2023 (2 years ago). It features 12 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.42 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 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 i5-10400F
The Core i5-10400F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,029 points. Launch price was $155.
Processing Power
The M2 Pro packs 12 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i5-10400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the M2 Pro has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the M2 Pro versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F — a 20.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F (base: 2.42 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i5-10400F is built on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. In PassMark, the M2 Pro scores 21,939 against the Core i5-10400F's 13,029 — a 51% lead for the M2 Pro. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,650 vs 1,454, a 58.3% lead for the M2 Pro that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 14,450 vs 5,783 (85.7% advantage for the M2 Pro). L3 cache: 24 MB on the M2 Pro vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F.
| Feature | M2 Pro | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 12 / 12+100% | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 3.5 GHz | 4.3 GHz+23% |
| Base Clock | 2.42 GHz | 2.9 GHz+20% |
| L3 Cache | 24 MB+100% | 12 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 36 MB+14300% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 5 nm-64% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | — | Comet Lake (2020−2025) |
| PassMark | 21,939+68% | 13,029 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 8,191 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,650+82% | 1,454 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 14,450+150% | 5,783 |
Memory & Platform
The M2 Pro uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i5-10400F uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR5-6400 on the M2 Pro versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F — the M2 Pro supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-10400F supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (M2 Pro) vs 16 (Core i5-10400F) — the Core i5-10400F offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Apple Silicon (M2 Pro) and H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F).
| Feature | M2 Pro | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | none | LGA1200 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0+33% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | LPDDR5-6400+25% | DDR4-2666 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 128 GB+300% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: ARM Virtualization (M2 Pro) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F). The M2 Pro includes integrated graphics (Apple M2 Pro GPU), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: M2 Pro targets Professional Laptop, Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.
| Feature | M2 Pro | Core i5-10400F |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Apple M2 Pro GPU | — |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | ARM Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Professional Laptop | Gaming |
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