Apple M2 Max (12-core) vs Intel Core i5-12500H
60.4Single-core55.3
51.9Multi-core44.1
80Efficiencyspec-based40.5
—iGPU50.3
52.8Platformspec-based53.8
8 spec wins — Apple M2 Max (12-core)4 spec wins — Intel Core i5-12500H
InnoReviews verdict
Apple M2 Max (12-core) wins this laptop processor face-off, 59.1 to 48.4, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+8) and single-core (+5). Intel Core i5-12500H 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 single-core score: 60 vs 55
- Stronger multi-core score: 52 vs 44
- 100% higher Performance cores: 8 vs 4
- 50% lower process: 5 nm vs 10 nm
- 50% higher Max memory: 96 GB vs 64 GB
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-12500H
- 100% higher Efficiency cores: 8 vs 4
- 33% higher threads: 16 vs 12
- 22% higher Boost clock: 4.5 GHz vs 3.7 GHz
General
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core i5-12500H |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2022 |
| Process | 5 nm+50% | 10 nm |
| Base TDP | — | 45 W |
| Max TDP | — | 95 W |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core i5-12500H |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 12 | 12 |
| Performance cores | 8+100% | 4 |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 8+100% |
| Threads | 12 | 16+33% |
| Base clock | — | 2.5 GHz |
| Boost clock | 3.7 GHz | 4.5 GHz+22% |
| L3 cache | — | 18 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core i5-12500H |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 38-core GPU | Intel Iris Xe (80 EU) |
| iGPU clock | — | 1,300 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core i5-12500H |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5-6400 | DDR5-4800 / LPDDR5-5200 / DDR4-3200 |
| Max memory | 96 GB+50% | 64 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core i5-12500H |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 2,760+23%Top 30% | 2,250Bottom 28% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 14,500+38%Top 25% | 10,500Bottom 42% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,600Bottom 35% | 1,655+3%Bottom 41% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 14,600+8%Top 39% | 13,500Top 46% |
| PassMark | 26,834+33%Top 29% | 20,236Top 50% |
| 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU) | — | 1,175Bottom 42% |
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