Apple M3 Max (16-core) vs Intel Core 5 120U
71.2Single-core59.8
71Multi-core36.2
93.3Efficiencyspec-based75.3
60Platformspec-based50.3
10 spec wins — Apple M3 Max (16-core)3 spec wins — Intel Core 5 120U
InnoReviews verdict
Apple M3 Max (16-core) wins this laptop processor face-off, 72.9 to 51.6, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+35) and single-core (+11). Intel Core 5 120U 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 single-core score: 71 vs 60
- Stronger multi-core score: 71 vs 36
- 500% higher Performance cores: 12 vs 2
- 263% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 24,200 vs 6,659
- 177% higher PassMark: 41,192 vs 14,877
Reasons to pick the Intel Core 5 120U
- 100% higher Efficiency cores: 8 vs 4
- 23% higher Boost clock: 5 GHz vs 4.1 GHz
General
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core 5 120U |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2024 |
| Process | 3 nm+70% | 10 nm |
| Base TDP | — | 15 W |
| Max TDP | — | 55 W |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core 5 120U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 16+60% | 10 |
| Performance cores | 12+500% | 2 |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 8+100% |
| Threads | 16+33% | 12 |
| Base clock | — | 1.4 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.1 GHz | 5 GHz+23% |
| L3 cache | — | 12 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core 5 120U |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 40-core GPU | Intel Iris Xe (80 EU) |
| iGPU clock | — | 1,300 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core 5 120U |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5-6400 | LPDDR5X-5200 / DDR5-5200 / DDR4-3200 / LPDDR4X-4267 |
| Max memory | 128 GB+33% | 96 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core 5 120U |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,130+27%Top 13% | 2,469Bottom 50% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 21,200+134%Top 10% | 9,070Bottom 33% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,950+11%Top 25% | 1,757Top 45% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 24,200+263%Top 13% | 6,659Bottom 19% |
| PassMark | 41,192+177%Top 13% | 14,877Bottom 30% |
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