Apple M3 Max (16-core) vs Intel Processor N250
71.2Single-core26.8
71Multi-core22.3
93.3Efficiencyspec-based82.2
—iGPU34.1
60Platformspec-based27.6
9 spec wins — Apple M3 Max (16-core)1 spec wins — Intel Processor N250
InnoReviews verdict
Apple M3 Max (16-core) wins this laptop processor face-off, 72.9 to 34.4, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+49) and single-core (+44). Intel Processor N250 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 27
- Stronger multi-core score: 71 vs 22
- 782% higher PassMark: 41,192 vs 4,670
- 700% higher Max memory: 128 GB vs 16 GB
- 661% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 21,200 vs 2,786
Reasons to pick the Intel Processor N250
No decisive spec advantages — this side competes on price and preference.
General
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Processor N250 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2025 |
| Process | 3 nm+70% | 10 nm |
| Base TDP | — | 6 W |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Processor N250 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 16+300% | 4 |
| Performance cores | 12 | 0 |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 4 |
| Threads | 16+300% | 4 |
| Boost clock | 4.1 GHz+7% | 3.8 GHz |
| L3 cache | — | 6 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Processor N250 |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 40-core GPU | Intel Graphics (32 EU) |
| iGPU clock | — | 1,250 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Processor N250 |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5-6400 | DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800, LPDDR5-4800 |
| Max memory | 128 GB+700% | 16 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Processor N250 |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,130+156%Top 11% | 1,224Bottom 3% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 21,200+661%Top 8% | 2,786Bottom 1% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,950Top 25% | — |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 24,200Top 12% | — |
| PassMark | 41,192+782%Top 12% | 4,670Bottom 5% |
| 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU) | — | 567Bottom 20% |
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