Apple M3 Max (16-core) vs Apple M5 (10-core)
71.2Single-core93.6
71Multi-core56.3
93.3Efficiencyspec-based93.3
60Platformspec-based40
7 spec wins — Apple M3 Max (16-core)6 spec wins — Apple M5 (10-core)
InnoReviews verdict
Apple M3 Max (16-core) wins this laptop processor face-off, 72.9 to 70.1, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+15). Apple M5 (10-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 M3 Max (16-core)
- Stronger multi-core score: 71 vs 56
- 300% higher Max memory: 128 GB vs 32 GB
- 200% higher Performance cores: 12 vs 4
- 60% higher cores: 16 vs 10
- 60% higher threads: 16 vs 10
Reasons to pick the Apple M5 (10-core)
- Stronger single-core score: 94 vs 71
- 50% higher Efficiency cores: 6 vs 4
- 35% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 4,228 vs 3,130
- 26% higher Cinebench R23 (single): 2,459 vs 1,950
- 21% higher PassMark (single thread): 5,767 vs 4,780
General
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Apple M5 (10-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2025 |
| Process | 3 nm | 3 nm |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Apple M5 (10-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 16+60% | 10 |
| Performance cores | 12+200% | 4 |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 6+50% |
| Threads | 16+60% | 10 |
| Base clock | — | 3.1 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.1 GHz | 4.6 GHz+14% |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Apple M5 (10-core) |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 40-core GPU | Apple 10-core GPU |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Apple M5 (10-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5-6400 | LPDDR5X-9600 |
| Max memory | 128 GB+300% | 32 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Apple M5 (10-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,130Top 11% | 4,228+35%Top 3% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 21,200+22%Top 6% | 17,314Top 14% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,950Top 27% | 2,459+26%Top 1% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 24,200+52%Top 12% | 15,893Top 37% |
| PassMark | 41,192+54%Top 12% | 26,757Top 32% |
| PassMark (single thread) | 4,780Top 4% | 5,767+21%Top 3% |
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