M3 Pro 12-Core vs Xeon Gold 6152

M3 Pro 12-Core

12 Cores12 ThrdWMax: 4.06 GHz2023
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Xeon Gold 6152

22 Cores44 Thrd140 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2017
Similar parts
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M3 Pro 12-Core vs Xeon Gold 6152 Performance Spectrum

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.

M3 Pro 12-Core vs Xeon Gold 6152 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

M3 Pro 12-Core vs Xeon Gold 6152: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

M3 Pro 12-Core

2023

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +5.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Newer platform on none with DDR5 support instead of LGA3647 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (24,170 vs 24,287).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon Gold 6152, which brings 22 cores / 44 threads and 48 PCIe lanes.
  • No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon Gold 6152

2017

Why buy it

  • +0.5% higher PassMark.
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 22 cores / 44 threads, plus 48 PCIe lanes vs 0.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than M3 Pro 12-Core across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Older platform position on LGA3647 with DDR4, while M3 Pro 12-Core moves to none and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6152 better than M3 Pro 12-Core?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon Gold 6152 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while M3 Pro 12-Core is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6152 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 22 cores and 44 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon Gold 6152 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon Gold 6152 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
M3 Pro 12-Core makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2017) and a healthier platform with none and DDR5 instead of LGA3647. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

M3 Pro 12-Core vs Xeon Gold 6152 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

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.

Intel

Xeon Gold 6152

The Xeon Gold 6152 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 25 April 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 22 cores and 44 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 30.25 MB. L2 cache: 22 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 24,287 points. Launch price was $3,655.

Processing Power

The M3 Pro 12-Core packs 12 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6152 offers 22 cores / 44 threads — the Xeon Gold 6152 has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.06 GHz on the M3 Pro 12-Core versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6152 — a 9.3% clock advantage for the M3 Pro 12-Core (base: 2.748 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6152 is built on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. In PassMark, the M3 Pro 12-Core scores 24,170 against the Xeon Gold 6152's 24,287 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon Gold 6152.

FeatureM3 Pro 12-CoreXeon Gold 6152
Cores / Threads
12 / 12
22 / 44+83%
Boost Clock
4.06 GHz+10%
3.7 GHz
Base Clock
2.748 GHz+31%
2.1 GHz
L3 Cache
30.25 MB
L2 Cache
22 MB
Process
3 nm-79%
14 nm
Architecture
Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark
24,170
24,287
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Memory & Platform

The M3 Pro 12-Core uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6152 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureM3 Pro 12-CoreXeon Gold 6152
Socket
none
LGA3647
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0+33%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
2666
Max RAM Capacity
768
RAM Channels
6
ECC Support
Yes
PCIe Lanes
48
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (M3 Pro 12-Core) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 6152). Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 6152 rivals EPYC 7451.

FeatureM3 Pro 12-CoreXeon Gold 6152
Integrated GPU
No
IGPU Model
None
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d