Apple M3 Pro (12-core) vs Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus
70.5Single-core79
52.2Multi-core86.8
93.3Efficiencyspec-based44.4
—iGPU60.5
43.4Platformspec-based73.9
0 spec wins — Apple M3 Pro (12-core)12 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus wins this laptop processor face-off, 73.9 to 62.7, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+35) and single-core (+9). Apple M3 Pro (12-core) still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Apple M3 Pro (12-core)
No decisive spec advantages — this side competes on price and preference.
Reasons to pick the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus
- Stronger single-core score: 79 vs 71
- Stronger multi-core score: 87 vs 52
- 611% higher Max memory: 256 GB vs 36 GB
- 168% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 39,617 vs 14,800
- 167% higher Efficiency cores: 16 vs 6
General
| Spec | Apple M3 Pro (12-core) | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2026 |
| Process | 3 nm | 3 nm |
| Base TDP | — | 55 W |
| Max TDP | — | 160 W |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M3 Pro (12-core) | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 12 | 24+100% |
| Performance cores | 6 | 8+33% |
| Efficiency cores | 6 | 16+167% |
| Threads | 12 | 24+100% |
| Base clock | — | 2.7 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.1 GHz | 5.5 GHz+36% |
| L3 cache | — | 36 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M3 Pro (12-core) | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 18-core GPU | Intel Graphics (4 Xe-cores) |
| iGPU clock | — | 2,000 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M3 Pro (12-core) | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5-6400 | DDR5-6400 |
| Max memory | 36 GB | 256 GB+611% |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M3 Pro (12-core) | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,100Top 12% | 3,198+3%Top 9% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 15,300Top 21% | 21,581+41%Top 7% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,930Top 27% | 2,340+21%Top 2% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 14,800Top 36% | 39,617+168%Top 1% |
| PassMark | 24,069Top 40% | 58,672+144%Top 1% |
| 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU) | — | 1,855Top 37% |
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