M3 Pro 12-Core vs Core i7-12800H
M3 Pro 12-Core
Core i7-12800H
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 12-Core
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-12800H
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | M3 Pro 12-Core | Core i7-12800H |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 3 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-H (2022) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | M3 Pro 12-Core | Core i7-12800H |
|---|---|---|
| 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 12-Core and Core i7-12800H
M3 Pro 12-Core
The M3 Pro 12-Core is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 30 October 2023 (2 years ago). It features 12 cores and 12 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: 24,170 points. Launch price was $299.
Core i7-12800H
The Core i7-12800H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 24,119 points. Launch price was $457.
Processing Power
The M3 Pro 12-Core packs 12 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-12800H offers 14 cores / 20 threads — the Core i7-12800H has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.06 GHz on the M3 Pro 12-Core versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-12800H — a 16.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-12800H (base: 2.748 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i7-12800H is built on the Alder Lake-H (2022) architecture. In PassMark, the M3 Pro 12-Core scores 24,170 against the Core i7-12800H's 24,119 — a 0.2% lead for the M3 Pro 12-Core.
| Feature | M3 Pro 12-Core | Core i7-12800H |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 12 / 12 | 14 / 20+17% |
| Boost Clock | 4.06 GHz | 4.8 GHz+18% |
| Base Clock | 2.748 GHz+15% | 2.4 GHz |
| L3 Cache | — | 24 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | — | 1.25 MB (per core) |
| Process | 3 nm-57% | Intel 7 nm |
| Architecture | — | Alder Lake-H (2022) |
| PassMark | 24,170 | 24,119 |
Memory & Platform
The M3 Pro 12-Core uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i7-12800H uses FCBGA1744 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | M3 Pro 12-Core | Core i7-12800H |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | none | FCBGA1744 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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