Apple M5 Max (18-core) vs Intel Processor N250
92Single-core26.8
96.6Multi-core22.3
93.3Efficiencyspec-based82.2
—iGPU34.1
61.9Platformspec-based27.6
12 spec wins — Apple M5 Max (18-core)0 spec wins — Intel Processor N250
InnoReviews verdict
Apple M5 Max (18-core) wins this laptop processor face-off, 89 to 34.4, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+74) and single-core (+65). 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 M5 Max (18-core)
- Stronger single-core score: 92 vs 27
- Stronger multi-core score: 97 vs 22
- 1135% higher PassMark: 57,677 vs 4,670
- 950% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 29,256 vs 2,786
- 700% higher Max memory: 128 GB vs 16 GB
Reasons to pick the Intel Processor N250
No decisive spec advantages — this side competes on price and preference.
General
| Spec | Apple M5 Max (18-core) | Intel Processor N250 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2026 | 2025 |
| Process | 3 nm+70% | 10 nm |
| Base TDP | — | 6 W |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M5 Max (18-core) | Intel Processor N250 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 18+350% | 4 |
| Performance cores | 6 | 0 |
| Efficiency cores | 12+200% | 4 |
| Threads | 18+350% | 4 |
| Boost clock | 4.6 GHz+21% | 3.8 GHz |
| L3 cache | 24 MB+300% | 6 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M5 Max (18-core) | Intel Processor N250 |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 40-core GPU | Intel Graphics (32 EU) |
| iGPU clock | — | 1,250 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M5 Max (18-core) | Intel Processor N250 |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5X-9600 | DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800, LPDDR5-4800 |
| Max memory | 128 GB+700% | 16 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M5 Max (18-core) | Intel Processor N250 |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 4,322+253%Top 3% | 1,224Bottom 4% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 29,256+950%Top 2% | 2,786Bottom 2% |
| PassMark | 57,677+1135%Top 2% | 4,670Bottom 6% |
| 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU) | — | 567Bottom 23% |
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