Apple M2 Max (12-core) vs Intel Core Ultra 7 251HX
60.4Single-core66.6
51.9Multi-core65.1
80Efficiencyspec-based44.4
52.8Platformspec-based68.1
2 spec wins — Apple M2 Max (12-core)11 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra 7 251HX
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core Ultra 7 251HX wins this laptop processor face-off, 62.6 to 59.1, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+13) and single-core (+6). Apple M2 Max (12-core) 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)
- 33% higher Performance cores: 8 vs 6
Reasons to pick the Intel Core Ultra 7 251HX
- Stronger single-core score: 67 vs 60
- Stronger multi-core score: 65 vs 52
- 200% higher Efficiency cores: 12 vs 4
- 167% higher Max memory: 256 GB vs 96 GB
- 78% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 26,001 vs 14,600
General
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core Ultra 7 251HX |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2026 |
| Process | 5 nm | 3 nm+40% |
| Base TDP | — | 55 W |
| Max TDP | — | 160 W |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core Ultra 7 251HX |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 12 | 18+50% |
| Performance cores | 8+33% | 6 |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 12+200% |
| Threads | 12 | 18+50% |
| Base clock | — | 2.9 GHz |
| Boost clock | 3.7 GHz | 5.1 GHz+39% |
| L3 cache | — | 30 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core Ultra 7 251HX |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 38-core GPU | Intel Graphics (3 Xe) |
| iGPU clock | — | 1,800 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core Ultra 7 251HX |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5-6400 | DDR5-6400 |
| Max memory | 96 GB | 256 GB+167% |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core Ultra 7 251HX |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 2,760Top 34% | 2,762Top 33% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 14,500+2%Top 29% | 14,233Top 30% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,600Bottom 41% | 1,941+21%Top 26% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 14,600Top 38% | 26,001+78%Top 12% |
| PassMark | 26,834Top 28% | 47,051+75%Top 8% |
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