Apple M3 Max (16-core) vs Intel Core i7-1255U
71.2Single-core52.8
71Multi-core32.6
93.3Efficiencyspec-based75.3
—iGPU55.7
60Platformspec-based47.7
11 spec wins — Apple M3 Max (16-core)2 spec wins — Intel Core i7-1255U
InnoReviews verdict
Apple M3 Max (16-core) wins this laptop processor face-off, 72.9 to 48.6, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+38) and single-core (+18). Intel Core i7-1255U 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 53
- Stronger multi-core score: 71 vs 33
- 500% higher Performance cores: 12 vs 2
- 256% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 24,200 vs 6,800
- 221% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 21,200 vs 6,600
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i7-1255U
- 100% higher Efficiency cores: 8 vs 4
- 16% higher Boost clock: 4.7 GHz vs 4.1 GHz
General
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core i7-1255U |
|---|---|---|
| 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 i7-1255U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 16+60% | 10 |
| Performance cores | 12+500% | 2 |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 8+100% |
| Threads | 16+33% | 12 |
| Base clock | — | 1.7 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.1 GHz | 4.7 GHz+16% |
| L3 cache | — | 12 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core i7-1255U |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 40-core GPU | Intel Iris Xe (96 EU) |
| iGPU clock | — | 1,250 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core i7-1255U |
|---|---|---|
| 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 i7-1255U |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,130+47%Top 11% | 2,130Bottom 21% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 21,200+221%Top 8% | 6,600Bottom 16% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,950+22%Top 25% | 1,600Bottom 35% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 24,200+256%Top 12% | 6,800Bottom 19% |
| PassMark | 41,192+218%Top 12% | 12,941Bottom 23% |
| 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU) | — | 1,496Top 43% |
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