CPU Comparison
Apple M3 Pro vs Intel Core Ultra 5 135H
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Apple M3 Pro is a 3 nm ARM-based system-on-chip with an 11- or 12-core CPU and 14- or 18-core integrated GPU, designed for professional MacBook Pro workflows that demand strong single-threaded performance, hardware-accelerated ray tracing, and high efficiency rather than maximum multi-core throughput.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Excellent single-core and good multi-core performance for typical pro apps, with snappy responsiveness and very good efficiency.
Strong multi-core performance for compiling and rendering.
Gaming
Strong 1080p and capable 1440p gaming with good efficiency; GPU core and bandwidth cuts versus M2 Pro mean some titles may not scale as well at higher resolutions.
Can play modern titles at 1080p medium settings thanks to the 96EU iGPU.
Virtualization
Capable for light VMs, but memory bandwidth and core count are lower than M2 Pro/M3 Max, which can matter for heavy multi-VM workloads.
Handles multiple VMs effectively with 18 threads.
Efficiency
Among the most efficient Pro-class SoCs Apple has shipped; does more CPU work per watt than earlier Pro chips.
Good efficiency at idle, but consumes significant power under load.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- 16-core Neural Engine up to ~18 TOPS
- Good for on-device inference and Core ML workloads
- Not designed for training large models; GPU-focused workloads may favor M3 Max
- 11 TOPS NPU offloads background AI
- Strong CPU/GPU AI performance for bursty tasks
- Good for local LLM inference
Content Creation
Gaming
- Hardware ray tracing improves lighting and reflections in supported titles
- Strong 1080p and 1440p performance with Metal-optimized games
- Some GPU benchmarks show regressions vs M2 Pro due to fewer cores and lower bandwidth
- 96EU Arc graphics is a major step up
- Supports hardware ray tracing
- Best paired with fast LPDDR5X memory
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Strong single-core performance and responsive day-to-day feel
- Excellent efficiency and battery life under pro workloads
- Hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading on Mac for the first time
- Unified memory architecture simplifies development and memory management
- Very quiet and cool operation in typical MacBook Pro configs
Cons
- 25% lower memory bandwidth than M1/M2 Pro (150 vs 200 GB/s)
- Some M3 Pro variants have fewer GPU cores than equivalent M2 Pro models
- Modest multi-core CPU gains over M2 Pro in many benchmarks
- No user-upgradable RAM or internal PCIe slots; fully soldered SoC
- Platform is now discontinued in favor of M4 Pro
Pros
- Strong multi-core performance
- Excellent 96EU Arc integrated graphics
- PCIe Gen 5 support
- Integrated NPU for AI
- High maximum turbo power (115W)
Cons
- Can run hot under sustained load
- Battery life is shorter than U-series
- Only 8 PCIe Gen 5 lanes
- Locked multiplier
Competitors & Alternatives
Apple M3 Pro
- Intel Core Ultra 7 155HRival
Pro mobile / x86
- AMD Ryzen 7 7840HSRival
Pro mobile / x86
- AMD Ryzen 7 7840URival
Thin-and-light mobile / x86
- Compare head-to-headApple M2 ProRival
Pro mobile / Apple silicon
- Compare head-to-headApple M3Rival
Mainstream mobile / Apple silicon
- Apple M2 Pro MacBook ProAlt
Better GPU core count and memory bandwidth if you don’t need ray tracing or the latest efficiency.
- Apple M3 MacBook ProAlt
Cheaper entry point if you don’t need the extra CPU/GPU headroom of the Pro chip.
- Intel Core Ultra 7 155H laptopAlt
Better if you need x86 Windows compatibility or more PCIe lanes for external GPUs.
- AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS mini PCAlt
More flexible if you want a small-form-factor Windows/Linux box with strong iGPU performance.
- Apple M3 Max MacBook ProAlt
Worth considering if you need significantly more GPU performance, memory bandwidth, or up to 128 GB unified memory.
Intel Core Ultra 5 135H
- AMD Ryzen 7 7840HSRival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 8640HSRival
Mobile
- Intel Core Ultra 7 155HRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M3 ProRival
Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon X EliteRival
Mobile
Slightly lower clocks for a cheaper price.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 7640HSAlt
Strong budget-performance alternative.
- Intel Core i5-13500HXAlt
Older but offers more raw cores if portability isn't key.
Our Verdict on Each
M3 Pro is an excellent, efficient chip for most pro workloads, especially if you’re upgrading from Intel or M1, but the step sideways in GPU cores and memory bandwidth versus M2 Pro makes the upgrade from M2 Pro less compelling for some users.
Best for: Upgrading from Intel or M1 MacBook Pro to a modern, efficient Pro laptop for coding, creative work, and general pro use.
Read the full reviewA strong performer in the thin-performance category, offering excellent multi-core capabilities and strong integrated graphics.
Best for: If you are a content creator, programmer, or moderate gamer seeking a laptop that balances power and portability, the Core Ultra 5 135H is a smart investment. Its 14-core design and 96EU integrated graphics handle video editing and 1080p gaming admirably. Ensure the laptop has adequate cooling, as the processor can draw up to 115W during sustained loads. Avoid this chip if you strictly need all-day battery life in a thin chassis; the U-series would be more appropriate. For users wanting to future-proof their purchase for AI-enhanced applications without paying for a higher-tier Core Ultra 7, the 135H strikes an excellent price-to-performance ratio in the premium mobile space.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Apple M3 Pro or Intel Core Ultra 5 135H?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core Ultra 5 135H comes out ahead with a score of 8.7/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core Ultra 5 135H has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core Ultra 5 135H (28 W).
Do Apple M3 Pro and Intel Core Ultra 5 135H use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Apple M3 Pro: On-package (BGA), Intel Core Ultra 5 135H: Intel BGA 2049), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core Ultra 5 135H has the most cores. Core counts: Apple M3 Pro (12 cores), Intel Core Ultra 5 135H (14 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Apple M3 Pro posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Apple M3 Pro (14,500). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.