Apple M3 Max (16-core) vs Intel Core i5-12500H
71.2Single-core55.3
71Multi-core44.1
93.3Efficiencyspec-based40.5
—iGPU50.3
60Platformspec-based53.8
10 spec wins — Apple M3 Max (16-core)2 spec wins — Intel Core i5-12500H
InnoReviews verdict
Apple M3 Max (16-core) wins this laptop processor face-off, 72.9 to 48.4, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+27) and single-core (+16). Intel Core i5-12500H 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 55
- Stronger multi-core score: 71 vs 44
- 200% higher Performance cores: 12 vs 4
- 104% higher PassMark: 41,192 vs 20,236
- 102% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 21,200 vs 10,500
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-12500H
- 100% higher Efficiency cores: 8 vs 4
- 11% higher Boost clock: 4.5 GHz vs 4.1 GHz
General
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core i5-12500H |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2022 |
| Process | 3 nm+70% | 10 nm |
| Base TDP | — | 45 W |
| Max TDP | — | 95 W |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core i5-12500H |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 16+33% | 12 |
| Performance cores | 12+200% | 4 |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 8+100% |
| Threads | 16 | 16 |
| Base clock | — | 2.5 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.1 GHz | 4.5 GHz+11% |
| L3 cache | — | 18 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core i5-12500H |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 40-core GPU | Intel Iris Xe (80 EU) |
| iGPU clock | — | 1,300 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core i5-12500H |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5-6400 | DDR5-4800 / LPDDR5-5200 / DDR4-3200 |
| Max memory | 128 GB+100% | 64 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core i5-12500H |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,130+39%Top 11% | 2,250Bottom 28% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 21,200+102%Top 8% | 10,500Bottom 42% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,950+18%Top 25% | 1,655Bottom 41% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 24,200+79%Top 12% | 13,500Top 46% |
| PassMark | 41,192+104%Top 12% | 20,236Top 50% |
| 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU) | — | 1,175Bottom 42% |
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