Apple M3 Max (16-core) vs Apple M5 (10-core)
65.6Single-core100
66.5Multi-core47.2
93.3Efficiencyspec-based93.3
60Platformspec-based40
6 spec wins — Apple M3 Max (16-core)5 spec wins — Apple M5 (10-core)
InnoReviews verdict
This one is close to a dead heat: Apple M3 Max (16-core) scores 69.6 against 68.4 for Apple M5 (10-core). Pick by the categories that matter to you — Apple M3 Max (16-core) edges ahead in multi-core, or by price.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Apple M3 Max (16-core)
- Stronger multi-core score: 67 vs 47
- 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: 100 vs 66
- 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
- 14% higher Boost clock: 4.6 GHz vs 4.1 GHz
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 16% | 4,228+35%Top 5% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 21,200+22%Top 13% | 17,314Top 24% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,950Top 37% | 2,459+26%Top 2% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 24,200+52%Top 20% | 15,893Top 50% |
| PassMark | — | 26,752Top 59% |
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