Apple M2 Max (12-core) vs Intel Core i5-8250U
60.4Single-core31.5
51.9Multi-core24
80Efficiencyspec-based66.4
—iGPU25.8
52.8Platformspec-based35
11 spec wins — Apple M2 Max (12-core)0 spec wins — Intel Core i5-8250U
InnoReviews verdict
Apple M2 Max (12-core) wins this laptop processor face-off, 59.1 to 34.1, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+29) and multi-core (+28). Intel Core i5-8250U 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 32
- Stronger multi-core score: 52 vs 24
- 370% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 14,600 vs 3,108
- 364% higher PassMark: 26,834 vs 5,777
- 200% higher cores: 12 vs 4
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-8250U
No decisive spec advantages — this side competes on price and preference.
General
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core i5-8250U |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2017 |
| Process | 5 nm+64% | 14 nm |
| Base TDP | — | 15 W |
| Max TDP | — | 25 W |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core i5-8250U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 12+200% | 4 |
| Performance cores | 8+100% | 4 |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 0 |
| Threads | 12+50% | 8 |
| Base clock | — | 1.6 GHz |
| Boost clock | 3.7 GHz+8% | 3.4 GHz |
| L3 cache | — | 6 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core i5-8250U |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 38-core GPU | Intel UHD Graphics 620 |
| iGPU clock | — | 1,100 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core i5-8250U |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5-6400 | DDR4-2400 / LPDDR3-2133 |
| Max memory | 96 GB+200% | 32 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core i5-8250U |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 2,760Top 34% | — |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 14,500Top 29% | — |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,600+83%Bottom 41% | 874Bottom 6% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 14,600+370%Top 38% | 3,108Bottom 7% |
| PassMark | 26,834+364%Top 28% | 5,777Bottom 7% |
| 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU) | — | 389Bottom 8% |
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