Apple M3 Max (16-core) vs Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus
71.2Single-core79
71Multi-core86.8
93.3Efficiencyspec-based44.4
—iGPU60.5
60Platformspec-based73.9
1 spec wins — Apple M3 Max (16-core)11 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus
InnoReviews verdict
This one is close to a dead heat: Apple M3 Max (16-core) scores 72.9 against 73.9 for Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus. Pick by the categories that matter to you — Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus edges ahead in multi-core and single-core, or by price.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Apple M3 Max (16-core)
- 50% higher Performance cores: 12 vs 8
Reasons to pick the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus
- Stronger single-core score: 79 vs 71
- Stronger multi-core score: 87 vs 71
- 300% higher Efficiency cores: 16 vs 4
- 100% higher Max memory: 256 GB vs 128 GB
- 64% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 39,617 vs 24,200
General
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2026 |
| Process | 3 nm | 3 nm |
| Base TDP | — | 55 W |
| Max TDP | — | 160 W |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 16 | 24+50% |
| Performance cores | 12+50% | 8 |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 16+300% |
| Threads | 16 | 24+50% |
| Base clock | — | 2.7 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.1 GHz | 5.5 GHz+36% |
| L3 cache | — | 36 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 40-core GPU | Intel Graphics (4 Xe-cores) |
| iGPU clock | — | 2,000 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5-6400 | DDR5-6400 |
| Max memory | 128 GB | 256 GB+100% |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,130Top 13% | 3,198+2%Top 11% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 21,200Top 10% | 21,581+2%Top 9% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,950Top 25% | 2,340+20%Top 3% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 24,200Top 13% | 39,617+64%Top 2% |
| PassMark | 41,192Top 13% | 58,672+42%Top 1% |
| 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU) | — | 1,855Top 36% |
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