Xeon Platinum 8481C vs Apple M3 Pro 12-Core
Aggregate performance score
Apple M3 Pro 12-Core outperforms Xeon Platinum 8481C by a whopping 117% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing M3 Pro 12-Core and Xeon Platinum 8481C processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in the ranking | 436 | 1008 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Market segment | Laptop | Server |
| Series | Apple M3 | no data |
| Power efficiency | 55.80 | 1.98 |
| Architecture codename | no data | Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) |
| Release date | 30 October 2023 (1 year ago) | 10 January 2023 (2 years ago) |
Detailed specifications
M3 Pro 12-Core and Xeon Platinum 8481C basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.
| Physical cores | 12 (Dodeca-Core) | 56 (Hexapentaconta-Core) |
| Threads | 12 | 112 |
| Base clock speed | 2.748 GHz | 2 GHz |
| Boost clock speed | 4.06 GHz | 3.8 GHz |
| L1 cache | no data | 80 KB (per core) |
| L2 cache | no data | 2 MB (per core) |
| L3 cache | no data | 105 MB |
| Chip lithography | 3 nm | 10 nm |
| Die size | no data | 4x 477 mm2 |
| Maximum case temperature (TCase) | no data | 79 °C |
| Number of transistors | 37000 Million | no data |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
Compatibility
Information on M3 Pro 12-Core and Xeon Platinum 8481C compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.
| Number of CPUs in a configuration | no data | 2 |
| Socket | no data | 4677 |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 27 Watt | 350 Watt |
Technologies and extensions
Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by M3 Pro 12-Core and Xeon Platinum 8481C. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.
| AES-NI | - | + |
| AVX | - | + |
| vPro | no data | + |
| Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST) | no data | + |
| TSX | - | + |
Security technologies
M3 Pro 12-Core and Xeon Platinum 8481C technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.
| TXT | no data | + |
Virtualization technologies
Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by M3 Pro 12-Core and Xeon Platinum 8481C are enumerated here.
| VT-d | no data | + |
| VT-x | no data | + |
Memory specs
Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by M3 Pro 12-Core and Xeon Platinum 8481C. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
| Supported memory types | no data | DDR5 |
Graphics specifications
General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.
| Integrated graphics card | Apple M3 Pro 18-Core GPU | N/A |
Peripherals
Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by M3 Pro 12-Core and Xeon Platinum 8481C.
| PCIe version | no data | 5.0 |
| PCI Express lanes | no data | 80 |
Synthetic benchmark performance
Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.
Combined synthetic benchmark score
This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.
Passmark
Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 15.81 | 7.29 |
| Recency | 30 October 2023 | 10 January 2023 |
| Physical cores | 12 | 56 |
| Threads | 12 | 112 |
| Chip lithography | 3 nm | 10 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 27 Watt | 350 Watt |
Apple M3 Pro 12-Core has a 116.9% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 9 months, a 233.3% more advanced lithography process, and 1196.3% lower power consumption.
Xeon Platinum 8481C, on the other hand, has 366.7% more physical cores and 833.3% more threads.
The M3 Pro 12-Core is our recommended choice as it beats the Xeon Platinum 8481C in performance tests.
Be aware that Apple M3 Pro 12-Core is a notebook processor while Xeon Platinum 8481C is a server/workstation one.
Should you still have questions on choice between Apple M3 Pro 12-Core and Xeon Platinum 8481C, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
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