Apple M3 Max (16-core) vs Intel Core i5-1235U
71.2Single-core49.8
71Multi-core31.4
93.3Efficiencyspec-based75.3
—iGPU50.3
60Platformspec-based47.7
11 spec wins — Apple M3 Max (16-core)2 spec wins — Intel Core i5-1235U
InnoReviews verdict
Apple M3 Max (16-core) wins this laptop processor face-off, 72.9 to 46.9, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+40) and single-core (+21). Intel Core i5-1235U 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 50
- Stronger multi-core score: 71 vs 31
- 500% higher Performance cores: 12 vs 2
- 290% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 24,200 vs 6,200
- 248% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 21,200 vs 6,100
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-1235U
- 100% higher Efficiency cores: 8 vs 4
General
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core i5-1235U |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2022 |
| Process | 3 nm+70% | 10 nm |
| Base TDP | — | 15 W |
| Max TDP | — | 55 W |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core i5-1235U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 16+60% | 10 |
| Performance cores | 12+500% | 2 |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 8+100% |
| Threads | 16+33% | 12 |
| Base clock | — | 1.3 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.1 GHz | 4.4 GHz+9% |
| L3 cache | — | 12 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core i5-1235U |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 40-core GPU | Intel Iris Xe (80 EU) |
| iGPU clock | — | 1,200 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core i5-1235U |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5-6400 | LPDDR5-5200 / DDR5-4800 / LPDDR4X-4267 |
| Max memory | 128 GB+100% | 64 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core i5-1235U |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,130+56%Top 11% | 2,000Bottom 17% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 21,200+248%Top 8% | 6,100Bottom 14% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,950+28%Top 25% | 1,520Bottom 29% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 24,200+290%Top 12% | 6,200Bottom 17% |
| PassMark | 41,192+232%Top 12% | 12,415Bottom 22% |
| 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU) | — | 1,175Bottom 42% |
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