Apple M4 Max (16-core) vs Apple M5 (10-core)
86.9Single-core93.6
80.8Multi-core56.3
93.3Efficiencyspec-based93.3
60Platformspec-based40
7 spec wins — Apple M4 Max (16-core)6 spec wins — Apple M5 (10-core)
InnoReviews verdict
Apple M4 Max (16-core) wins this laptop processor face-off, 81.1 to 70.1, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+25). Apple M5 (10-core) still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Apple M4 Max (16-core)
- Stronger multi-core score: 81 vs 56
- 300% higher Max memory: 128 GB vs 32 GB
- 200% higher Performance cores: 12 vs 4
- 77% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 28,100 vs 15,893
- 64% higher PassMark: 43,917 vs 26,757
Reasons to pick the Apple M5 (10-core)
- Stronger single-core score: 94 vs 87
- 50% higher Efficiency cores: 6 vs 4
- 26% higher PassMark (single thread): 5,767 vs 4,589
- 10% higher Cinebench R23 (single): 2,459 vs 2,230
General
| Spec | Apple M4 Max (16-core) | Apple M5 (10-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024 | 2025 |
| Process | 3 nm | 3 nm |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M4 Max (16-core) | Apple M5 (10-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 16+60% | 10 |
| Performance cores | 12+200% | 4 |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 6+50% |
| Threads | 16+60% | 10 |
| Base clock | — | 3.1 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.5 GHz | 4.6 GHz+2% |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M4 Max (16-core) | Apple M5 (10-core) |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 40-core GPU | Apple 10-core GPU |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M4 Max (16-core) | Apple M5 (10-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5X-8533 | LPDDR5X-9600 |
| Max memory | 128 GB+300% | 32 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M4 Max (16-core) | Apple M5 (10-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 4,020Top 4% | 4,228+5%Top 3% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 26,300+52%Top 2% | 17,314Top 14% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,230Top 3% | 2,459+10%Top 1% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 28,100+77%Top 9% | 15,893Top 37% |
| PassMark | 43,917+64%Top 11% | 26,757Top 32% |
| PassMark (single thread) | 4,589Top 7% | 5,767+26%Top 3% |
Related comparisons
Apple M4 Max (16-core)vs Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite ExtremeVSApple M4 Max (16-core)vs Apple M6 (12-core)VSApple M4 Max (16-core)vs AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395VSApple M4 Max (16-core)vs Apple M4 Pro (14-core)VSApple M5 (10-core)vs AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395VSApple M5 (10-core)vs Intel Core Ultra 9 275HXVSApple M5 (10-core)vs Intel Core Ultra X9 388HVSApple M5 (10-core)vs AMD Ryzen 9 9955HXVS