Apple M2 Max (12-core) vs Apple M5 Max (18-core)
60.4Single-core92
51.9Multi-core96.6
80Efficiencyspec-based93.3
52.8Platformspec-based61.9
1 spec wins — Apple M2 Max (12-core)10 spec wins — Apple M5 Max (18-core)
InnoReviews verdict
Apple M5 Max (18-core) wins this laptop processor face-off, 89 to 59.1, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+45) and single-core (+32). Apple M2 Max (12-core) still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Apple M2 Max (12-core)
- 33% higher Performance cores: 8 vs 6
Reasons to pick the Apple M5 Max (18-core)
- Stronger single-core score: 92 vs 60
- Stronger multi-core score: 97 vs 52
- 200% higher Efficiency cores: 12 vs 4
- 115% higher PassMark: 57,677 vs 26,834
- 102% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 29,256 vs 14,500
General
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Apple M5 Max (18-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2026 |
| Process | 5 nm | 3 nm+40% |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Apple M5 Max (18-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 12 | 18+50% |
| Performance cores | 8+33% | 6 |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 12+200% |
| Threads | 12 | 18+50% |
| Boost clock | 3.7 GHz | 4.6 GHz+25% |
| L3 cache | — | 24 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Apple M5 Max (18-core) |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 38-core GPU | Apple 40-core GPU |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Apple M5 Max (18-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5-6400 | LPDDR5X-9600 |
| Max memory | 96 GB | 128 GB+33% |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Apple M5 Max (18-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 2,760Top 34% | 4,322+57%Top 3% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 14,500Top 29% | 29,256+102%Top 2% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,600Bottom 41% | — |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 14,600Top 38% | — |
| PassMark | 26,834Top 28% | 57,677+115%Top 2% |
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