Apple M3 Max (16-core) vs Apple M5 Max (18-core)
71.2Single-core92
71Multi-core96.6
93.3Efficiencyspec-based93.3
60Platformspec-based61.9
1 spec wins — Apple M3 Max (16-core)8 spec wins — Apple M5 Max (18-core)
InnoReviews verdict
Apple M5 Max (18-core) wins this laptop processor face-off, 89 to 72.9, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+26) and single-core (+21). Apple M3 Max (16-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)
- 100% higher Performance cores: 12 vs 6
Reasons to pick the Apple M5 Max (18-core)
- Stronger single-core score: 92 vs 71
- Stronger multi-core score: 97 vs 71
- 200% higher Efficiency cores: 12 vs 4
- 40% higher PassMark: 57,677 vs 41,192
- 38% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 4,322 vs 3,130
General
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Apple M5 Max (18-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2026 |
| Process | 3 nm | 3 nm |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Apple M5 Max (18-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 16 | 18+13% |
| Performance cores | 12+100% | 6 |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 12+200% |
| Threads | 16 | 18+13% |
| Boost clock | 4.1 GHz | 4.6 GHz+14% |
| L3 cache | — | 24 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Apple M5 Max (18-core) |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 40-core GPU | Apple 40-core GPU |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Apple M5 Max (18-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5-6400 | LPDDR5X-9600 |
| Max memory | 128 GB | 128 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Apple M5 Max (18-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,130Top 13% | 4,322+38%Top 3% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 21,200Top 10% | 29,256+38%Top 2% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,950Top 25% | — |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 24,200Top 13% | — |
| PassMark | 41,192Top 13% | 57,677+40%Top 2% |
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