Apple M3 Max (16-core) vs Intel Core i5-12450HX
71.2Single-core47.6
71Multi-core40.4
93.3Efficiencyspec-based28.9
60Platformspec-based52.2
8 spec wins — Apple M3 Max (16-core)1 spec wins — Intel Core i5-12450HX
InnoReviews verdict
Apple M3 Max (16-core) wins this laptop processor face-off, 72.9 to 42.4, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+31) and single-core (+24). Intel Core i5-12450HX 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 48
- Stronger multi-core score: 71 vs 40
- 200% higher Performance cores: 12 vs 4
- 134% higher PassMark: 41,192 vs 17,605
- 130% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 21,200 vs 9,230
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-12450HX
No decisive spec advantages — this side competes on price and preference.
General
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core i5-12450HX |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2022 |
| Process | 3 nm+70% | 10 nm |
| Base TDP | — | 55 W |
| Max TDP | — | 157 W |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core i5-12450HX |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 16+100% | 8 |
| Performance cores | 12+200% | 4 |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 4 |
| Threads | 16+33% | 12 |
| Base clock | — | 2.4 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.1 GHz | 4.4 GHz+9% |
| L3 cache | — | 12 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core i5-12450HX |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 40-core GPU | Intel UHD Graphics (16 EU) |
| iGPU clock | — | 1,300 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core i5-12450HX |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5-6400 | DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200 |
| Max memory | 128 GB | 128 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core i5-12450HX |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,130+42%Top 11% | 2,210Bottom 26% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 21,200+130%Top 8% | 9,230Bottom 34% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,950Top 25% | — |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 24,200Top 12% | — |
| PassMark | 41,192+134%Top 12% | 17,605Bottom 40% |
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