Apple M2 Max (12-core) vs Intel Core Ultra 5 125U
60.4Single-core60.7
51.9Multi-core37.5
80Efficiencyspec-based81.9
52.8Platformspec-based51.8
5 spec wins — Apple M2 Max (12-core)3 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra 5 125U
InnoReviews verdict
Apple M2 Max (12-core) wins this laptop processor face-off, 59.1 to 53.7, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+14). Intel Core Ultra 5 125U 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 38
- 300% higher Performance cores: 8 vs 2
- 61% higher PassMark: 26,834 vs 16,674
- 52% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 14,600 vs 9,593
- 29% lower process: 5 nm vs 7 nm
Reasons to pick the Intel Core Ultra 5 125U
- 150% higher Efficiency cores: 10 vs 4
- 17% higher threads: 14 vs 12
- 17% higher Boost clock: 4.3 GHz vs 3.7 GHz
General
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core Ultra 5 125U |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2023 |
| Process | 5 nm+29% | 7 nm |
| Base TDP | — | 15 W |
| Max TDP | — | 57 W |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core Ultra 5 125U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 12 | 12 |
| Performance cores | 8+300% | 2 |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 10+150% |
| Threads | 12 | 14+17% |
| Base clock | — | 1.3 GHz |
| Boost clock | 3.7 GHz | 4.3 GHz+17% |
| L3 cache | — | 12 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core Ultra 5 125U |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 38-core GPU | Intel Graphics (4 Xe) |
| iGPU clock | — | 1,850 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core Ultra 5 125U |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5-6400 | LPDDR5X-7467 / DDR5-5600 |
| Max memory | 96 GB | 96 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core Ultra 5 125U |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 2,760Top 34% | — |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 14,500Top 29% | — |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,600+2%Bottom 41% | 1,566Bottom 38% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 14,600+52%Top 38% | 9,593Bottom 35% |
| PassMark | 26,834+61%Top 28% | 16,674Bottom 38% |
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