CPU Comparison
Apple M4 Pro vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Apple M4 Pro is a high‑performance ARM‑based system‑on‑a‑chip (SoC) for professional MacBook Pro laptops, featuring a 12‑ or 14‑core CPU with up to 10 performance cores and a 16‑ or 20‑core GPU, built on a second‑generation 3 nm process and paired with high‑bandwidth unified memory.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Very high multi‑threaded CPU and GPU performance for pro apps like Premiere, Resolve, Blender, and Xcode.
14 strong cores handle multi-threaded creator workloads efficiently.
Gaming
Strong for an iGPU, especially in native or well‑ported titles; performance in Windows games via emulation can vary and is often lower than comparable Windows gaming laptops.
Paired with a discrete GPU, the high clock speeds and fast DDR5 memory provide top-tier mobile gaming.
Virtualization
Good performance for running Linux/ARM VMs and Docker, but x86 emulation overhead limits some workloads.
Solid performance for local VMs, aided by 20 PCIe lanes for fast storage.
Efficiency
Outstanding performance per watt; MacBook Pro 14/16 with M4 Pro deliver high performance with long battery life.
Poor battery life when unplugged due to the high 55W base power and lack of LP-E cores.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- 16‑core Neural Engine up to 38 TOPS INT8 across M4 family.
- CPU ML accelerators and GPU compute are suitable for on‑device inference and moderate LLM workloads.
- Larger LLMs still limited by unified memory size and lack of dedicated high‑bandwidth HBM.
- Only 13 TOPS NPU, falling short of Copilot+ requirements
- Relies on discrete GPU for serious AI workloads
- CPU-based AI inference is capable but slow
Content Creation
Gaming
- 20‑core GPU is significantly faster than previous M3 Pro GPU.
- Hardware ray tracing and mesh shading improve modern API support.
- Most AAA games still run via emulation; performance and compatibility vary.
- Native Apple‑silicon titles can approach mid‑range discrete laptop GPU levels.
- High base clock prevents significant frequency drops during gaming
- Ideal pairing for RTX 4080/4090 mobile GPUs
- Unlocked multiplier can squeeze out extra FPS
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Very high single‑threaded and multi‑threaded CPU performance.
- Up to 20‑core GPU with hardware ray tracing.
- High memory bandwidth (273 GB/s) for unified memory.
- Excellent performance per watt; long battery life in MacBook Pros.
- Tight integration with macOS and pro app ecosystem.
- Thunderbolt 5 support on M4 Pro/Max MacBook Pros.
Cons
- Soldered, non‑upgradeable RAM and storage.
- Limited x86 Windows game compatibility without emulation.
- No official overclocking support.
- Maximum 64 GB unified memory may limit very large models.
- Entirely dependent on Apple’s repair and upgrade ecosystem.
Pros
- Unlocked for enthusiast overclocking
- Massive 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes
- High 3.1 GHz base clock
- Strong single-core performance
- 24MB of L3 cache
Cons
- High power draw limits battery life
- Requires bulky laptop cooling solutions
- Weak 13 TOPS NPU
- Xe-LPG iGPU is outdated for gaming
- No Hyper-Threading
Competitors & Alternatives
Apple M4 Pro
- AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370Rival
High‑End Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core Ultra 9 288VRival
High‑End Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite ExtremeRival
High‑End ARM Laptop
- AMD Ryzen 9 8945HXRival
High‑End Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core Ultra 9 275HXRival
High‑End Mobile
- Apple M4 MaxAlt
More GPU cores and higher memory bandwidth for heavier GPU workloads.
- Alt
Lower cost and sufficient for many users who don’t need the extra CPU/GPU headroom.
Compare head-to-head - Alt
Older but often discounted; still strong for many pro workloads.
Compare head-to-head - AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 laptopAlt
Better x86 Windows compatibility and often stronger gaming performance.
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V laptopAlt
Good Windows alternative with strong single‑threaded performance and x86 compatibility.
Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX
- AMD Ryzen 9 7945HXRival
Enthusiast Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950HXRival
Next-Gen Enthusiast
Offers more cores and higher clocks if budget allows.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 9 8945HSAlt
Better battery life and AI performance if you don't need PCIe Gen 5.
Our Verdict on Each
A very efficient, high‑performance pro SoC that pushes single‑threaded and multi‑threaded CPU performance while retaining excellent battery life and strong integrated graphics, though it is soldered and locked to Apple’s ecosystem.
Best for: Professionals and advanced creators who need a power‑efficient laptop with strong CPU and GPU performance, long battery life, and macOS ecosystem.
Read the full reviewThe 245HX brings desktop-class features like an unlocked multiplier and vast PCIe connectivity to the mobile space, making it a powerhouse for thick-and-heavy enthusiast laptops.
Best for: Enthusiasts buying a thick gaming laptop who want to manually overclock.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Apple M4 Pro or Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Apple M4 Pro comes out ahead with a score of 9.1/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Apple M4 Pro or Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX?
For gaming, the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX leads with a gaming performance score of 88/100 among Apple M4 Pro and Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX (55 W).
Do Apple M4 Pro and Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Apple M4 Pro: On‑package (BGA), Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX: Intel BGA 2114), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Apple M4 Pro posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Apple M4 Pro (0). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.