Xeon W-1390 vs M3 Pro 12-Core
Xeon W-1390
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 W-1390
Performance Per Dollar M3 Pro 12-Core
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon W-1390 | M3 Pro 12-Core |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($400) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Rocket Lake-S (2021) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 3 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon W-1390 | M3 Pro 12-Core |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($400) | ✅ 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 W-1390 and M3 Pro 12-Core
Xeon W-1390
The Xeon W-1390 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 May 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake-S (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 23,902 points. Launch price was $494.
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 W-1390 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the M3 Pro 12-Core offers 12 cores / 12 threads — the M3 Pro 12-Core has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Xeon W-1390 versus 4.06 GHz on the M3 Pro 12-Core — a 22.7% clock advantage for the Xeon W-1390 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.748 GHz). The Xeon W-1390 is built on the Rocket Lake-S (2021) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon W-1390 scores 23,902 against the M3 Pro 12-Core's 24,170 — a 1.1% lead for the M3 Pro 12-Core.
| Feature | Xeon W-1390 | M3 Pro 12-Core |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 16 | 12 / 12+50% |
| Boost Clock | 5.1 GHz+26% | 4.06 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz+2% | 2.748 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 16 MB (total) | — |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core) | — |
| Process | 14 nm | 3 nm-79% |
| Architecture | Rocket Lake-S (2021) | — |
| PassMark | 23,902 | 24,170+1% |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon W-1390 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the M3 Pro 12-Core uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon W-1390 | M3 Pro 12-Core |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1200 | 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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