Apple M5 Max (18-core) vs Intel Core Ultra 5 125U
92Single-core60.7
96.6Multi-core37.5
93.3Efficiencyspec-based81.9
61.9Platformspec-based51.8
10 spec wins — Apple M5 Max (18-core)0 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra 5 125U
InnoReviews verdict
Apple M5 Max (18-core) wins this laptop processor face-off, 89 to 53.7, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+59) and single-core (+31). Intel Core Ultra 5 125U 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 61
- Stronger multi-core score: 97 vs 38
- 246% higher PassMark: 57,677 vs 16,674
- 200% higher Performance cores: 6 vs 2
- 100% higher L3 cache: 24 MB vs 12 MB
Reasons to pick the Intel Core Ultra 5 125U
No decisive spec advantages — this side competes on price and preference.
General
| Spec | Apple M5 Max (18-core) | Intel Core Ultra 5 125U |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2026 | 2023 |
| Process | 3 nm+57% | 7 nm |
| Base TDP | — | 15 W |
| Max TDP | — | 57 W |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M5 Max (18-core) | Intel Core Ultra 5 125U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 18+50% | 12 |
| Performance cores | 6+200% | 2 |
| Efficiency cores | 12+20% | 10 |
| Threads | 18+29% | 14 |
| Base clock | — | 1.3 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.6 GHz+7% | 4.3 GHz |
| L3 cache | 24 MB+100% | 12 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M5 Max (18-core) | Intel Core Ultra 5 125U |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 40-core GPU | Intel Graphics (4 Xe) |
| iGPU clock | — | 1,850 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M5 Max (18-core) | Intel Core Ultra 5 125U |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5X-9600 | LPDDR5X-7467 / DDR5-5600 |
| Max memory | 128 GB+33% | 96 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M5 Max (18-core) | Intel Core Ultra 5 125U |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 4,322Top 3% | — |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 29,256Top 2% | — |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | — | 1,566Bottom 38% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | — | 9,593Bottom 35% |
| PassMark | 57,677+246%Top 2% | 16,674Bottom 38% |
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