Apple M2 Max (12-core) vs Intel Core 5 120U
60.4Single-core59.8
51.9Multi-core36.2
80Efficiencyspec-based75.3
52.8Platformspec-based50.3
7 spec wins — Apple M2 Max (12-core)4 spec wins — Intel Core 5 120U
InnoReviews verdict
Apple M2 Max (12-core) wins this laptop processor face-off, 59.1 to 51.6, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+16) and single-core (+1). Intel Core 5 120U 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 36
- 300% higher Performance cores: 8 vs 2
- 119% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 14,600 vs 6,659
- 80% higher PassMark: 26,834 vs 14,877
- 60% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 14,500 vs 9,070
Reasons to pick the Intel Core 5 120U
- 100% higher Efficiency cores: 8 vs 4
- 36% higher Boost clock: 5 GHz vs 3.7 GHz
- 10% higher Cinebench R23 (single): 1,757 vs 1,600
General
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core 5 120U |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2024 |
| Process | 5 nm+50% | 10 nm |
| Base TDP | — | 15 W |
| Max TDP | — | 55 W |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core 5 120U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 12+20% | 10 |
| Performance cores | 8+300% | 2 |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 8+100% |
| Threads | 12 | 12 |
| Base clock | — | 1.4 GHz |
| Boost clock | 3.7 GHz | 5 GHz+36% |
| L3 cache | — | 12 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core 5 120U |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 38-core GPU | Intel Iris Xe (80 EU) |
| iGPU clock | — | 1,300 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core 5 120U |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5-6400 | LPDDR5X-5200 / DDR5-5200 / DDR4-3200 / LPDDR4X-4267 |
| Max memory | 96 GB | 96 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core 5 120U |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 2,760+12%Top 34% | 2,469Bottom 50% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 14,500+60%Top 29% | 9,070Bottom 33% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,600Bottom 41% | 1,757+10%Top 45% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 14,600+119%Top 38% | 6,659Bottom 19% |
| PassMark | 26,834+80%Top 28% | 14,877Bottom 30% |
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