M3 Pro 11-Core vs Core i9-11900K

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.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar M3 Pro 11-Core

#4

M3 Pro 11-Core

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#10

Ryzen 7 260

MSRP: $199|Avg: $70

79%

#13

Ryzen 3 210

MSRP: $99|Avg: $99

74%

#14

Ryzen 5 PRO 230

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

73%

#15

Ryzen 5 220

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

69%

#18

Ryzen 5 8500G

MSRP: $179|Avg: $150

67%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i9-11900K

#308

Core i9-11900F

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $358.87

107%

#309

Core i9-9900T

MSRP: $423|Avg: $215

107%

#310

Core i5-9500T

MSRP: $192|Avg: $132

107%

#311

Ryzen 7 PRO 5750GE

MSRP: $349|Avg: $349

105%

#312

Core i9-10940X

MSRP: $784|Avg: $460

105%

#313

Core i9-10920X

MSRP: $689|Avg: $430

105%

#314

Core i7-10700

MSRP: $365|Avg: $268

104%

#315

Core i5-9600K

MSRP: $263|Avg: $178

104%

#316

Ryzen Threadripper 7960X

MSRP: $1499|Avg: $1400

104%

#317

Ryzen 7 PRO 4750GE

MSRP: $309|Avg: $309

104%

#318

Core i3-10305T

MSRP: $143|Avg: $143

104%

#319

Ryzen Embedded V1202B

MSRP: $100|Avg: $60

102%

#320

Core i3-10100

MSRP: $122|Avg: $146

102%

#321

Ryzen 5 PRO 5650GE

MSRP: $311|Avg: $311

102%

#322

Celeron G6900

MSRP: $52|Avg: $77

101%

#323

Core i9-11900K

MSRP: $539|Avg: $435

100%

#324

Core i7-12700TE

MSRP: $378|Avg: $350

98%

#325

Core i9-12900E

MSRP: $500|Avg: $500

98%

#326

Celeron G4900T

MSRP: $42|Avg: $40

97%

#327

Ryzen Threadripper 2920X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $452

97%

#328

Core i9-9900KS

MSRP: $513|Avg: $350

96%

#329

Core i5-11600T

MSRP: $262|Avg: $262

96%

#330

Core i9-9900K

MSRP: $488|Avg: $331

95%

#331

Ryzen Threadripper 2950X

MSRP: $899|Avg: $540

95%

#332

Celeron G4930T

MSRP: $42|Avg: $42

95%

#333

Core i9-9920X

MSRP: $1189|Avg: $464

94%

#334

Core i3-9100

MSRP: $122|Avg: $125

92%

#335

Core i9-10900X

MSRP: $590|Avg: $425

92%

#336

Core i7-8700T

MSRP: $303|Avg: $196

91%

#337

Ryzen 5 3600XT

MSRP: $249|Avg: $357

90%

#338

Core i9-10980XE

MSRP: $979|Avg: $620

90%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i9-11900K delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the M3 Pro 11-Core in both compute-intensive tasks (0.5% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	M3 Pro 11-Core	Core i9-11900K
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($435)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Legacy / 3 nm)	✨ Modern (Rocket Lake (2021) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	M3 Pro 11-Core	Core i9-11900K
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($435)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

M3 Pro 11-Core Benchmark Check

Core i9-11900K Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of M3 Pro 11-Core and Core i9-11900K

M3 Pro 11-Core

The M3 Pro 11-Core is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 30 October 2023 (2 years ago). It features 11 cores and 11 threads. Base frequency is 2.748 GHz, with boost up to 4.06 GHz. Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: none. Memory support: LPDDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 24,861 points. Launch price was $299.

Core i9-11900K

The Core i9-11900K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 24,990 points. Launch price was $539.

⚡

Processing Power

The M3 Pro 11-Core packs 11 cores / 11 threads, while the Core i9-11900K offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the M3 Pro 11-Core has 3 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.06 GHz on the M3 Pro 11-Core versus 5.2 GHz on the Core i9-11900K — a 24.6% clock advantage for the Core i9-11900K (base: 2.748 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i9-11900K is built on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. In PassMark, the M3 Pro 11-Core scores 24,861 against the Core i9-11900K's 24,990 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i9-11900K.

Feature	M3 Pro 11-Core	Core i9-11900K
Cores / Threads	11 / 11+38%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.06 GHz	5.2 GHz+28%
Base Clock	2.748 GHz	3.5 GHz+27%
L3 Cache	—	16 MB (total)
L2 Cache	—	512 kB (per core)
Process	3 nm-79%	14 nm
Architecture	—	Rocket Lake (2021)
PassMark	24,861	24,990

🧠

Memory & Platform

The M3 Pro 11-Core uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i9-11900K uses LGA1200 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.