Apple M3 Max (16-core) vs Intel Core Ultra 7 251HX
71.2Single-core66.6
71Multi-core65.1
93.3Efficiencyspec-based44.4
60Platformspec-based68.1
4 spec wins — Apple M3 Max (16-core)8 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra 7 251HX
InnoReviews verdict
Apple M3 Max (16-core) wins this laptop processor face-off, 72.9 to 62.6, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+6) and single-core (+5). Intel Core Ultra 7 251HX 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 67
- Stronger multi-core score: 71 vs 65
- 100% higher Performance cores: 12 vs 6
- 49% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 21,200 vs 14,233
- 13% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 3,130 vs 2,762
Reasons to pick the Intel Core Ultra 7 251HX
- 200% higher Efficiency cores: 12 vs 4
- 100% higher Max memory: 256 GB vs 128 GB
- 26% higher Boost clock: 5.1 GHz vs 4.1 GHz
- 14% higher PassMark: 47,051 vs 41,192
- 13% higher cores: 18 vs 16
General
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core Ultra 7 251HX |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2026 |
| Process | 3 nm | 3 nm |
| Base TDP | — | 55 W |
| Max TDP | — | 160 W |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core Ultra 7 251HX |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 16 | 18+13% |
| Performance cores | 12+100% | 6 |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 12+200% |
| Threads | 16 | 18+13% |
| Base clock | — | 2.9 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.1 GHz | 5.1 GHz+26% |
| L3 cache | — | 30 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core Ultra 7 251HX |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 40-core GPU | Intel Graphics (3 Xe) |
| iGPU clock | — | 1,800 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core Ultra 7 251HX |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5-6400 | DDR5-6400 |
| Max memory | 128 GB | 256 GB+100% |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core Ultra 7 251HX |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,130+13%Top 13% | 2,762Top 33% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 21,200+49%Top 10% | 14,233Top 30% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,950Top 25% | 1,941Top 26% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 24,200Top 13% | 26,001+7%Top 12% |
| PassMark | 41,192Top 13% | 47,051+14%Top 8% |
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