M2 Pro vs Core i5-12400F
M2 Pro
Core i5-12400F
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 i5-12400F
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | M2 Pro | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($110) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 5 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | M2 Pro | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($110) |
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 i5-12400F
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 i5-12400F
The Core i5-12400F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 19,532 points. Launch price was $180.
Processing Power
The M2 Pro packs 12 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i5-12400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the M2 Pro has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the M2 Pro versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F — a 22.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-12400F (base: 2.42 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-12400F is built on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. In PassMark, the M2 Pro scores 21,939 against the Core i5-12400F's 19,532 — a 11.6% lead for the M2 Pro. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,650 vs 1,700, a 43.7% lead for the M2 Pro that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 14,450 vs 657 (182.6% advantage for the M2 Pro). L3 cache: 24 MB on the M2 Pro vs 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F.
| Feature | M2 Pro | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 12 / 12+100% | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 3.5 GHz | 4.4 GHz+26% |
| Base Clock | 2.42 GHz | 2.5 GHz+3% |
| L3 Cache | 24 MB+33% | 18 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 36 MB+2780% | 1.25 MB (per core) |
| Process | 5 nm-29% | Intel 7 nm |
| Architecture | — | Alder Lake-S (2022) |
| PassMark | 21,939+12% | 19,532 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 12,380 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,650+56% | 1,700 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 14,450+2099% | 657 |
Memory & Platform
The M2 Pro uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i5-12400F uses LGA1700 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to LPDDR5-6400 memory speed. The Core i5-12400F 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 20 (Core i5-12400F) — the Core i5-12400F offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Apple Silicon (M2 Pro) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F).
| Feature | M2 Pro | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | none | LGA1700 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0+33% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | LPDDR5-6400 | DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 128 GB+300% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 20 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: ARM Virtualization (M2 Pro) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F). The M2 Pro includes integrated graphics (Apple M2 Pro GPU), while the Core i5-12400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: M2 Pro targets Professional Laptop, Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600.
| Feature | M2 Pro | Core i5-12400F |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Apple M2 Pro GPU | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | ARM Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Professional Laptop | Gaming Performance/Value |
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