CPU
GPU
M3 Pro 12-Core
Xeon D-2766NT
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 Xeon D-2766NT
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | M3 Pro 12-Core | Xeon D-2766NT |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($212) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 3 nm) | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 10 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | M3 Pro 12-Core | Xeon D-2766NT |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($212) |
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 Xeon D-2766NT
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.
Xeon D-2766NT
The Xeon D-2766NT is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB. Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2579. Thermal design power (TDP): 97 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 24,013 points. Launch price was $800.
Processing Power
The M3 Pro 12-Core packs 12 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon D-2766NT offers 14 cores / 28 threads — the Xeon D-2766NT has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.06 GHz on the M3 Pro 12-Core versus 3.1 GHz on the Xeon D-2766NT — a 26.8% clock advantage for the M3 Pro 12-Core (base: 2.748 GHz vs 2 GHz). In PassMark, the M3 Pro 12-Core scores 24,170 against the Xeon D-2766NT's 24,013 — a 0.7% lead for the M3 Pro 12-Core.
| Feature | M3 Pro 12-Core | Xeon D-2766NT |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 12 / 12 | 14 / 28+17% |
| Boost Clock | 4.06 GHz+31% | 3.1 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.748 GHz+37% | 2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | — | 20 MB |
| Process | 3 nm-70% | 10 nm |
| PassMark | 24,170 | 24,013 |
Memory & Platform
The M3 Pro 12-Core uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon D-2766NT uses FCBGA2579 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | M3 Pro 12-Core | Xeon D-2766NT |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | none | FCBGA2579 |
| 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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