M3 Pro 11-Core vs Xeon E5-2696 v4
M3 Pro 11-Core
Xeon E5-2696 v4
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 Xeon E5-2696 v4
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | M3 Pro 11-Core | Xeon E5-2696 v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 3 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Broadwell (2015−2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | M3 Pro 11-Core | Xeon E5-2696 v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 Xeon E5-2696 v4
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.
Xeon E5-2696 v4
The Xeon E5-2696 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 22 cores and 44 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 55 MB. L2 cache: 5.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCLGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 24,938 points. Launch price was $800.
Processing Power
The M3 Pro 11-Core packs 11 cores / 11 threads, while the Xeon E5-2696 v4 offers 22 cores / 44 threads — the Xeon E5-2696 v4 has 11 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.06 GHz on the M3 Pro 11-Core versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2696 v4 — a 12% clock advantage for the M3 Pro 11-Core (base: 2.748 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Xeon E5-2696 v4 is built on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. In PassMark, the M3 Pro 11-Core scores 24,861 against the Xeon E5-2696 v4's 24,938 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon E5-2696 v4.
| Feature | M3 Pro 11-Core | Xeon E5-2696 v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 11 / 11 | 22 / 44+100% |
| Boost Clock | 4.06 GHz+13% | 3.6 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.748 GHz+25% | 2.2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | — | 55 MB |
| L2 Cache | — | 5.5 MB |
| Process | 3 nm-79% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | — | Broadwell (2015−2019) |
| PassMark | 24,861 | 24,938 |
Memory & Platform
The M3 Pro 11-Core uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-2696 v4 uses FCLGA2011-3 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | M3 Pro 11-Core | Xeon E5-2696 v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | none | FCLGA2011-3 |
| 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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