Xeon D-2766NT vs M3 Pro 12-Core
Xeon D-2766NT
M3 Pro 12-Core
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 Xeon D-2766NT
Performance Per Dollar M3 Pro 12-Core
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon D-2766NT | M3 Pro 12-Core |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($212) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 10 nm) | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 3 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon D-2766NT | M3 Pro 12-Core |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($212) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 Xeon D-2766NT and M3 Pro 12-Core
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.
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.
Processing Power
The Xeon D-2766NT packs 14 cores / 28 threads, while the M3 Pro 12-Core offers 12 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon D-2766NT has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Xeon D-2766NT versus 4.06 GHz on the M3 Pro 12-Core — a 26.8% clock advantage for the M3 Pro 12-Core (base: 2 GHz vs 2.748 GHz). In PassMark, the Xeon D-2766NT scores 24,013 against the M3 Pro 12-Core's 24,170 — a 0.7% lead for the M3 Pro 12-Core.
| Feature | Xeon D-2766NT | M3 Pro 12-Core |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 14 / 28+17% | 12 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 3.1 GHz | 4.06 GHz+31% |
| Base Clock | 2 GHz | 2.748 GHz+37% |
| L3 Cache | 20 MB | — |
| Process | 10 nm | 3 nm-70% |
| PassMark | 24,013 | 24,170 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon D-2766NT uses the FCBGA2579 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the M3 Pro 12-Core uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon D-2766NT | M3 Pro 12-Core |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA2579 | none |
| 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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