M4 (8 cores) vs Core Ultra 5 125H
M4 (8 cores)
Core Ultra 5 125H
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 M4 (8 cores)
Performance Per Dollar Core Ultra 5 125H
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | M4 (8 cores) | Core Ultra 5 125H |
|---|---|---|
| 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 (Meteor Lake-H (2023) / 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | M4 (8 cores) | Core Ultra 5 125H |
|---|---|---|
| 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 M4 (8 cores) and Core Ultra 5 125H
M4 (8 cores)
The M4 (8 cores) is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 28 October 2024 (1 year ago). It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.89 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 4 MB. Memory support: LPDDR5x. Passmark benchmark score: 20,761 points. Launch price was $299.
Core Ultra 5 125H
The Core Ultra 5 125H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Meteor Lake-H (2023) architecture. It features 14 cores and 18 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): + 18 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 20,754 points. Launch price was $375.
Processing Power
The M4 (8 cores) packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 125H offers 14 cores / 18 threads — the Core Ultra 5 125H has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the M4 (8 cores) versus 4.5 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 125H — a 11.8% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 125H (base: 2.89 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 125H is built on the Meteor Lake-H (2023) architecture. In PassMark, the M4 (8 cores) scores 20,761 against the Core Ultra 5 125H's 20,754 — a 0% lead for the M4 (8 cores).
| Feature | M4 (8 cores) | Core Ultra 5 125H |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 8 | 14 / 18+75% |
| Boost Clock | 4 GHz | 4.5 GHz+13% |
| Base Clock | 2.89 GHz | 3.6 GHz+25% |
| L3 Cache | — | 18 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | — | 2 MB (per core) |
| Process | 3 nm-57% | 7 nm |
| Architecture | — | Meteor Lake-H (2023) |
| PassMark | 20,761 | 20,754 |
Memory & Platform
The M4 (8 cores) uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core Ultra 5 125H uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | M4 (8 cores) | Core Ultra 5 125H |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | none | FCBGA2049 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 5.0+25% |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on M4 (8 cores) and Core Ultra 5 125H
