Apple M4 Max (16-core) vs Apple M5 Max (18-core)
84.9Single-core92
79.8Multi-core96.6
93.3Efficiencyspec-based93.3
60Platformspec-based61.9
1 spec wins — Apple M4 Max (16-core)9 spec wins — Apple M5 Max (18-core)
InnoReviews verdict
Apple M5 Max (18-core) wins this laptop processor face-off, 89 to 80.2, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+17) and single-core (+7). Apple M4 Max (16-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)
- 100% higher Performance cores: 12 vs 6
Reasons to pick the Apple M5 Max (18-core)
- Stronger single-core score: 92 vs 85
- Stronger multi-core score: 97 vs 80
- 200% higher Efficiency cores: 12 vs 4
- 31% higher PassMark: 57,677 vs 43,917
- 30% higher PassMark (single thread): 5,964 vs 4,589
General
| Spec | Apple M4 Max (16-core) | Apple M5 Max (18-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024 | 2026 |
| Process | 3 nm | 3 nm |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M4 Max (16-core) | Apple M5 Max (18-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 16 | 18+13% |
| Performance cores | 12+100% | 6 |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 12+200% |
| Threads | 16 | 18+13% |
| Boost clock | 4.5 GHz | 4.6 GHz+2% |
| L3 cache | — | 24 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M4 Max (16-core) | Apple M5 Max (18-core) |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 40-core GPU | Apple 40-core GPU |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M4 Max (16-core) | Apple M5 Max (18-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5X-8533 | LPDDR5X-9600 |
| Max memory | 128 GB | 128 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M4 Max (16-core) | Apple M5 Max (18-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,880Top 4% | 4,322+11%Top 1% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 25,760Top 2% | 29,256+14%Top 1% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,209Top 2% | — |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 27,595Top 10% | — |
| PassMark | 43,917Top 10% | 57,677+31%Top 2% |
| PassMark (single thread) | 4,589Top 6% | 5,964+30%Top 1% |
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