Apple M5 Max (18-core) vs Intel Core 3 304
92Single-core59.2
96.6Multi-core30.6
93.3Efficiencyspec-based93
—iGPU40.4
61.9Platformspec-based37.2
10 spec wins — Apple M5 Max (18-core)1 spec wins — Intel Core 3 304
InnoReviews verdict
Apple M5 Max (18-core) wins this laptop processor face-off, 89 to 49.1, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+66) and single-core (+33). Intel Core 3 304 still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Apple M5 Max (18-core)
- Stronger single-core score: 92 vs 59
- Stronger multi-core score: 97 vs 31
- 500% higher Performance cores: 6 vs 1
- 389% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 29,256 vs 5,987
- 373% higher PassMark: 57,677 vs 12,194
Reasons to pick the Intel Core 3 304
- 33% lower process: 2 nm vs 3 nm
General
| Spec | Apple M5 Max (18-core) | Intel Core 3 304 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2026 | 2026 |
| Process | 3 nm | 2 nm+33% |
| Base TDP | — | 15 W |
| Max TDP | — | 35 W |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M5 Max (18-core) | Intel Core 3 304 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 18+260% | 5 |
| Performance cores | 6+500% | 1 |
| Efficiency cores | 12+200% | 4 |
| Threads | 18+260% | 5 |
| Base clock | — | 1.5 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.6 GHz+7% | 4.3 GHz |
| L3 cache | 24 MB+300% | 6 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M5 Max (18-core) | Intel Core 3 304 |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 40-core GPU | Intel Graphics (1 Xe3-core) |
| iGPU clock | — | 2,300 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M5 Max (18-core) | Intel Core 3 304 |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5X-9600 | LPDDR5X-7467 / DDR5-6400 |
| Max memory | 128 GB+100% | 64 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M5 Max (18-core) | Intel Core 3 304 |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 4,322+80%Top 2% | 2,407Bottom 40% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 29,256+389%Top 1% | 5,987Bottom 14% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | — | 1,765Top 43% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | — | 5,263Bottom 16% |
| PassMark | 57,677+373%Top 2% | 12,194Bottom 22% |
| 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU) | — | 753Bottom 30% |
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