Apple M3 Max (16-core) vs Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
71.3Single-core74.6
70.9Multi-core61.3
93.3Efficiencyspec-based81.4
—iGPU88.7
60Platformspec-based56.4
7 spec wins — Apple M3 Max (16-core)5 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
InnoReviews verdict
Apple M3 Max (16-core) wins this laptop processor face-off, 72.9 to 69.6, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+10). Intel Core Ultra X9 388H 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 multi-core score: 71 vs 61
- 200% higher Performance cores: 12 vs 4
- 33% higher Max memory: 128 GB vs 96 GB
- 27% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 24,022 vs 18,911
- 22% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 21,254 vs 17,395
Reasons to pick the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- Stronger single-core score: 75 vs 71
- 200% higher Efficiency cores: 12 vs 4
- 33% lower process: 2 nm vs 3 nm
- 26% higher Boost clock: 5.1 GHz vs 4.1 GHz
- 12% higher Cinebench R23 (single): 2,201 vs 1,959
General
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core Ultra X9 388H |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2026 |
| Process | 3 nm | 2 nm+33% |
| Base TDP | — | 25 W |
| Max TDP | — | 80 W |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core Ultra X9 388H |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 16 | 16 |
| Performance cores | 12+200% | 4 |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 12+200% |
| Threads | 16 | 16 |
| Base clock | — | 2.1 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.1 GHz | 5.1 GHz+26% |
| L3 cache | — | 18 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core Ultra X9 388H |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 40-core GPU | Intel Arc B390 |
| iGPU clock | — | 2,500 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core Ultra X9 388H |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5-6400 | LPDDR5X |
| Max memory | 128 GB+33% | 96 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core Ultra X9 388H |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,127+3%Top 10% | 3,038Top 12% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 21,254+22%Top 4% | 17,395Top 9% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,959Top 24% | 2,201+12%Top 3% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 24,022+27%Top 13% | 18,911Top 22% |
| PassMark | 41,192+13%Top 12% | 36,409Top 15% |
| PassMark (single thread) | 4,780+11%Top 3% | 4,300Top 12% |
| 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU) | — | 6,627Top 4% |
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