M3 Pro 11-Core vs Core i9-9920X
M3 Pro 11-Core
Core i9-9920X
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 M3 Pro 11-Core
Performance Per Dollar Core i9-9920X
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | M3 Pro 11-Core | Core i9-9920X |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($464) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 3 nm) | ✨ Modern (Skylake (server) (2017−2018) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | M3 Pro 11-Core | Core i9-9920X |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($464) |
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 M3 Pro 11-Core and Core i9-9920X
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 i9-9920X
The Core i9-9920X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 19.25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 24,974 points. Launch price was $1,189.
Processing Power
The M3 Pro 11-Core packs 11 cores / 11 threads, while the Core i9-9920X offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Core i9-9920X has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 4.06 GHz on the M3 Pro 11-Core versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i9-9920X — a 10.3% clock advantage for the Core i9-9920X (base: 2.748 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i9-9920X is built on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. In PassMark, the M3 Pro 11-Core scores 24,861 against the Core i9-9920X's 24,974 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i9-9920X.
| Feature | M3 Pro 11-Core | Core i9-9920X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 11 / 11 | 12 / 24+9% |
| Boost Clock | 4.06 GHz | 4.5 GHz+11% |
| Base Clock | 2.748 GHz | 3.5 GHz+27% |
| L3 Cache | — | 19.25 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | — | 1 MB (per core) |
| Process | 3 nm-79% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | — | Skylake (server) (2017−2018) |
| PassMark | 24,861 | 24,974 |
Memory & Platform
The M3 Pro 11-Core uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i9-9920X uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | M3 Pro 11-Core | Core i9-9920X |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | none | LGA2066 |
| 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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