CPU Comparison
Apple M1 Pro vs Intel Core i7-11800H
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. Apple M1 Pro is a 5nm ARM-based SoC with 8 performance and 2 efficiency CPU cores, up to a 16-core GPU, a 16-core Neural Engine, and up to 32GB unified memory with 200GB/s bandwidth, designed for pro laptops.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
In pro workloads like code compilation and light-to-medium multitasking, M1 Pro completes tasks quickly and at low power.
Blazes through heavy multi-threaded applications like Premiere Pro and Blender.
Gaming
Consistently high frame rates in modern titles, limited only by the discrete GPU.
Virtualization
16 threads make it highly capable for local VMs and containerized development.
Efficiency
High performance per watt enables long battery life and quiet operation under sustained loads.
Consumes more power than newer 12th Gen Alder Lake parts under load.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- 16-core Neural Engine accelerates on-device ML tasks in apps and frameworks.
- Apple advertises 11 TOPS INT8 for M1-series Neural Engines.
- CPU and GPU also contribute to ML workloads via optimized libraries.
- Capable of running medium-sized local AI models
- AVX-512 and DL Boost accelerate CPU-based inference
Content Creation
Gaming
- Integrated GPU provides playable performance in many games but is not comparable to midrange dedicated GPUs.
- Limited macOS game catalog impacts practical gaming utility.
- Apple Silicon adoption improves performance in supported titles over time.
- Massive 24MB L3 cache boosts game performance significantly
- Handles CPU-bound titles like Microsoft Flight Simulator well
- Pairs perfectly with RTX 3060 and 3070 mobile GPUs
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Strong multi-core CPU and GPU performance in a power-efficient design.
- Excellent battery life for a pro laptop.
- Up to 32GB unified memory with high bandwidth.
- Integrated media engines with ProRes accelerators for video workflows.
- Thunderbolt 4/USB4 built into the SoC.
Cons
- RAM is not upgradable; unified memory is fixed at purchase.
- Gaming performance lags behind midrange dedicated GPUs.
- No official socket or user-configurable PCIe lanes.
- Apple does not publish TDP or official clock specifications.
- macOS-only for direct use; no boot-to-Windows support on Apple Silicon.
Pros
- Excellent 8-core, 16-thread performance
- Massive 24MB L3 cache significantly boosts gaming
- 20 PCIe 4.0 lanes for fast storage and GPUs
- Competitive single-core clock speeds
Cons
- Locked multiplier
- 35W base TDP can run hot in poorly cooled laptops
- Does not support DDR5 or LPDDR5
- Surpassed by 12th Gen Alder Lake in hybrid efficiency
Competitors & Alternatives
Apple M1 Pro
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-11800HRival
High-performance laptop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-12700HRival
High-performance laptop
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900HXRival
High-performance laptop
- AMD Ryzen 9 6900HXRival
High-performance laptop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i9-11980HKRival
Enthusiast laptop
- Alt
Newer generation with higher performance and improved efficiency in the same MacBook Pro form factors.
Compare head-to-head - Alt
More GPU cores and memory bandwidth for GPU-heavy workloads.
Compare head-to-head x86 compatibility for Windows-centric workflows.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 9 7940HSAlt
Strong x86 efficiency and integrated graphics for Windows laptops.
- Alt
Newer architecture with updated CPU and GPU for non-Pro users.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i7-11800H
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800HRival
High-Performance Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900HXRival
High-Performance Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i9-11900HRival
High-Performance Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M1 ProRival
ARM Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800URival
Thin-and-Light Mobile
Better for thin-and-light laptops if 8 cores are not needed.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i5-11400HAlt
A budget-friendly alternative with 6 cores that performs well in gaming.
A newer generation with significantly better multi-core performance via a hybrid architecture.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
M1 Pro delivers outstanding performance per watt and strong multi-core throughput for pro workloads, with highly efficient operation and excellent battery life, making it a compelling choice for creators who do not need x86.
Best for: Creator or developer needing sustained performance and battery life in a MacBook Pro (14 or 16, 2021) who can work within macOS.
Read the full reviewA massive leap for Intel's mobile lineup, offering excellent 8-core multi-threaded performance and strong single-core speeds for gaming.
Best for: Buying a discounted 11th Gen gaming laptop for high-end 1080p/1440p gaming
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is faster for gaming, Apple M1 Pro or Intel Core i7-11800H?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-11800H leads with a gaming performance score of 95/100 among Apple M1 Pro and Intel Core i7-11800H.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i7-11800H has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i7-11800H (35 W).
Which has more cores?
The Apple M1 Pro has the most cores. Core counts: Apple M1 Pro (10 cores), Intel Core i7-11800H (8 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i7-11800H posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i7-11800H (18,500). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.