Apple M2 Max (12-core) vs Intel Core Ultra 5 226V
60.4Single-core57.6
51.9Multi-core39.3
80Efficiencyspec-based88.5
—iGPU73.7
52.8Platformspec-based32.7
8 spec wins — Apple M2 Max (12-core)4 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra 5 226V
InnoReviews verdict
Apple M2 Max (12-core) wins this laptop processor face-off, 59.1 to 53.7, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+13) and single-core (+3). Intel Core Ultra 5 226V 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 39
- 500% higher Max memory: 96 GB vs 16 GB
- 100% higher Performance cores: 8 vs 4
- 68% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 14,600 vs 8,700
- 50% higher cores: 12 vs 8
Reasons to pick the Intel Core Ultra 5 226V
- 40% lower process: 3 nm vs 5 nm
- 22% higher Boost clock: 4.5 GHz vs 3.7 GHz
General
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core Ultra 5 226V |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2024 |
| Process | 5 nm | 3 nm+40% |
| Base TDP | — | 17 W |
| Max TDP | — | 37 W |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core Ultra 5 226V |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 12+50% | 8 |
| Performance cores | 8+100% | 4 |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 4 |
| Threads | 12+50% | 8 |
| Base clock | — | 2.1 GHz |
| Boost clock | 3.7 GHz | 4.5 GHz+22% |
| L3 cache | — | 8 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core Ultra 5 226V |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 38-core GPU | Intel Arc 130V |
| iGPU clock | — | 1,850 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core Ultra 5 226V |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5-6400 | LPDDR5X-8533 (on-package) |
| Max memory | 96 GB+500% | 16 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core Ultra 5 226V |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 2,760+13%Top 30% | 2,450Bottom 44% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 14,500+49%Top 25% | 9,700Bottom 38% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,600Bottom 35% | 1,650+3%Bottom 39% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 14,600+68%Top 39% | 8,700Bottom 29% |
| PassMark | 26,834+50%Top 29% | 17,934Bottom 42% |
| 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU) | — | 3,371Top 10% |
Related comparisons
Apple M2 Max (12-core)vs AMD Ryzen 7 7840HSVSApple M2 Max (12-core)vs AMD Ryzen 7 7840UVSApple M2 Max (12-core)vs Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-84-100VSApple M2 Max (12-core)vs AMD Ryzen 7 8845HSVSIntel Core Ultra 5 226Vvs Intel Core Ultra 5 125UVSIntel Core Ultra 5 226Vvs AMD Ryzen 7 7735HSVSIntel Core Ultra 5 226Vvs Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P-64-100VSIntel Core Ultra 5 226Vvs Intel Core i9-12900HKVS