Apple M2 Max (12-core) vs Intel Core 3 304
60.4Single-core59.2
51.9Multi-core30.6
80Efficiencyspec-based93
—iGPU40.4
52.8Platformspec-based37.2
8 spec wins — Apple M2 Max (12-core)4 spec wins — Intel Core 3 304
InnoReviews verdict
Apple M2 Max (12-core) wins this laptop processor face-off, 59.1 to 49.1, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+21) and single-core (+1). Intel Core 3 304 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)
- Stronger multi-core score: 52 vs 31
- 700% higher Performance cores: 8 vs 1
- 177% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 14,600 vs 5,263
- 142% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 14,500 vs 5,987
- 140% higher cores: 12 vs 5
Reasons to pick the Intel Core 3 304
- 60% lower process: 2 nm vs 5 nm
- 17% higher Boost clock: 4.3 GHz vs 3.7 GHz
- 10% higher Cinebench R23 (single): 1,765 vs 1,600
General
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core 3 304 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2026 |
| Process | 5 nm | 2 nm+60% |
| Base TDP | — | 15 W |
| Max TDP | — | 35 W |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core 3 304 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 12+140% | 5 |
| Performance cores | 8+700% | 1 |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 4 |
| Threads | 12+140% | 5 |
| Base clock | — | 1.5 GHz |
| Boost clock | 3.7 GHz | 4.3 GHz+17% |
| L3 cache | — | 6 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core 3 304 |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 38-core GPU | Intel Graphics (1 Xe3-core) |
| iGPU clock | — | 2,300 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core 3 304 |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5-6400 | LPDDR5X-7467 / DDR5-6400 |
| Max memory | 96 GB+50% | 64 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core 3 304 |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 2,760+15%Top 31% | 2,407Bottom 40% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 14,500+142%Top 25% | 5,987Bottom 14% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,600Bottom 39% | 1,765+10%Top 43% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 14,600+177%Top 37% | 5,263Bottom 16% |
| PassMark | 26,834+120%Top 27% | 12,194Bottom 22% |
| 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU) | — | 753Bottom 30% |
Related comparisons
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