Apple M3 Pro (12-core CPU) vs Core Ultra 9 285H: specs and benchmark comparison
Short verdict
Apple M3 Pro (12-core CPU) leads in every scenario with comparable benchmarks: multi-thread performance. This does not imply an advantage in tasks without benchmarks.
Compare with AIMulti-thread performance
A +11.7%Apple M3 Pro (12-core CPU) leads in this scenario (up to 11.7% in comparable benchmarks).
No comparable benchmarks yet: single-thread performance, gaming (cpu-bound scenarios), power efficiency.
Advantages
Only measured and rated values: a noticeable benchmark gap and specs where more is better.
Where Apple M3 Pro (12-core CPU) is better1
Blender Benchmark 4.5.0 11.7% faster252 samples/min vs 226 samples/min
Where Core Ultra 9 285H is better1
Cores 4 more16 (6P + 10E) vs 12 (6P + 6E)
Benchmarks
Results are compared within one benchmark, one version and the same conditions. Laptop chip results depend on the laptop model: its maker sets the power limit and cooling.
- A ahead by 11.7%
Blender Benchmark 4.5.0
CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom · samples/min, higher is better
Apple M3 Pro (12-core CPU)252.2 samples/minCore Ultra 9 285H225.8 samples/minPosition among tested models (89)
B · 226A · 2520200400600800Each dot is one model’s median in this benchmark. The scale starts at zero, samples/min. Apple M3 Pro (12-core CPU) is ahead by 11.7% in this benchmark.
About the measurement and source
- A · Apple M3 Pro (12-core CPU)
252.2 samples/min · community measurement, sample 22 · November 14, 2026
Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation)
Median of 22 submissions (1 outliers excluded), interquartile range 226.59–259.29; submissions 2025-07-17 to 2026-02-26; CPU backend. Snapshot 2026-11-14.
- B · Intel Core Ultra 9 285H
225.8 samples/min · community measurement, sample 54 · November 15, 2026
Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation)
Median of 54 submissions (0 outliers excluded), interquartile range 185.31–258.91; submissions 2025-07-18 to 2026-03-04; CPU backend. Snapshot 2026-11-15.
difference = |A − B| ÷ the smaller value × 100%. The 5% noticeable threshold is a UX heuristic, not statistical significance.
Cycles render in Blender Benchmark. Median of the sum of samples per minute over three scenes after removing outliers.
Reference results (11)
| Benchmark | A | B | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blender Benchmark 4.2.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 249.3 | 222.6 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.1.1CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 249 | 270.1 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.2.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 234.1 | 250.8 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.6.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 256.8 | — | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 4.0.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 256.6 | — | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 4.1.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 256.6 | — | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 4.3.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 248.5 | 224.8 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 4.4.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 253 | 256.9 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.1.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 250.4 | 232 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.0.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | — | 240.1 | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 5.3.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | — | 142.3 | no pair |
Each benchmark version has its own scale: numbers are compared only within a row.
Specifications
Chip maker values. The laptop maker sets the power limit and clocks in each laptop.
| Specification | A · Apple M3 Pro (12-core CPU) | B · Core Ultra 9 285H | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cores and clocks | |||
| CoresCores of different types may differ in performance. | 12 (6P + 6E) | 16 (6P + 10E) | B: 4 more |
| Threads | no data | 16 | no data for A |
| Base clockFor hybrid Intel CPUs, the P-core base clock is shown. | no data | 2.9 GHz | no data for A |
| Max clock (Boost/Turbo) | no data | 5.4 GHz | no data for A |
| Cache | |||
| L3 cache | no data | 24 MB | no data for A |
| Platform | |||
| Socket | no data | FCBGA2049 | no data for A |
| Process node | 3 nm | no data | no data for B |
| Memory and interfaces | |||
| Memory type | Unified memory | DDR5, LPDDR5/x | differs |
| Memory channels | no data | 2 | no data for A |
| Official memory speedFor controllers that support two generations, the speed for the newer memory type is shown. | no data | 6,400 MT/s | no data for A |
| Max memory capacity | no data | 128 GB | no data for A |
| PCI Express | no data | PCIe 5.0 and 4.0, 28 lanes | no data for A |
| Integrated graphics | Apple M3 Pro (14 / 18-core GPU) | Intel Arc 140T GPU | differs |
| Power | |||
| Processor Base Power (Intel) | no data | 45 W | no data for A |
| Maximum Turbo Power (Intel) | no data | 115 W | no data for A |
| Minimum Assured Power (Intel)The lower bound to which the laptop maker can reduce the CPU’s base power. | no data | 35 W | no data for A |
Cores and clocks
Cores
A12 (6P + 6E)
B16 (6P + 10E)
B: 4 moreCores of different types may differ in performance.
Threads
Ano data
B16
no data for ABase clock
Ano data
B2.9 GHz
no data for AFor hybrid Intel CPUs, the P-core base clock is shown.
Max clock (Boost/Turbo)
Ano data
B5.4 GHz
no data for A
Cache
L3 cache
Ano data
B24 MB
no data for A
Platform
Socket
Ano data
BFCBGA2049
no data for AProcess node
A3 nm
Bno data
no data for B
Memory and interfaces
Memory type
AUnified memory
BDDR5, LPDDR5/x
differsMemory channels
Ano data
B2
no data for AOfficial memory speed
Ano data
B6,400 MT/s
no data for AFor controllers that support two generations, the speed for the newer memory type is shown.
Max memory capacity
Ano data
B128 GB
no data for APCI Express
Ano data
BPCIe 5.0 and 4.0, 28 lanes
no data for AIntegrated graphics
AApple M3 Pro (14 / 18-core GPU)
BIntel Arc 140T GPU
differs
Power
Processor Base Power (Intel)
Ano data
B45 W
no data for AMaximum Turbo Power (Intel)
Ano data
B115 W
no data for AMinimum Assured Power (Intel)
Ano data
B35 W
no data for AThe lower bound to which the laptop maker can reduce the CPU’s base power.
“More” does not always mean “better”: higher power draw or size is a system requirement, not an advantage (such bars are dimmed).
Compare with AI
An AI model reviews the specs and benchmarks of this pair and gives a plain-language verdict on who each model suits.
Questions and answers
Do these CPUs have integrated graphics?
Apple M3 Pro (12-core CPU): Apple M3 Pro (14 / 18-core GPU). Intel Core Ultra 9 285H: Intel Arc 140T GPU.
Which is faster: Apple M3 Pro (12-core CPU) or Intel Core Ultra 9 285H?
Apple M3 Pro (12-core CPU) leads in every scenario with comparable benchmarks: multi-thread performance. This does not imply an advantage in tasks without benchmarks.
See also
Data sources (3)
- Apple — specifications of Apple M3 Pro (12-core CPU)checked November 14, 2026
- Intel — specifications of Intel Core Ultra 9 285Hchecked November 7, 2026
- Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation) — benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.5.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.1.1, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.6.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.0.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.1.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.3.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.4.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.1.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.0.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.3.0checked November 14, 2026
How we compare: methodology. Where the data comes from: sources.