Apple M2 (8-GPU) Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
VS

Apple M2 (8-GPU) vs Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)

Last updated:
The Apple M2 (8-GPU) was developed as an efficient solution for compact desktop computers and primarily targets private individuals and office applications.

This chip, manufactured using the 5-nanometer process, combines processing cores and graphics functions on one architecture. The single-core and multi-core performance are sufficient for common software applications, with the Apple M2 (8-GPU) operating stably in benchmarks. In games, the integrated Apple M2 (8 Core) graphics unit achieves solid basic performance, but reaches its limits with complex titles.

The thermal design power is low, enabling passive or very quiet cooling. Due to the moderate acquisition costs, the Apple M2 (8-GPU) offers an attractive price-performance ratio for daily needs. It is recommended for users who value energy efficiency and silent operation for standard tasks.

The Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU) is designed for professional workstations and is aimed at users with high demands for computing power.

Manufactured using the 3-nanometer process, the Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU) offers a high density of transistors. In benchmarks, the single-core and multi-core performance are significantly higher than those of the comparison model. With the integrated Apple M5 Max (40 Core) graphics unit and a memory bandwidth of 614 GB/s, this chip is excellently suited for AI performance and demanding graphics tasks.

The gaming performance is significantly higher due to the high number of cores. The thermal load is dimensioned according to the high performance. Despite a higher market price, the investment is sensible for specialized workflows. The Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU) is ideal for high-resolution video editing, 3D rendering, and data-intensive scientific applications.

Apple M2 (8-GPU)

  • Manufactured using the 5-nanometer process
  • Integrated Apple M2 8 Core graphics unit
  • Low thermal design power for quiet operation
  • Optimized price-performance ratio for office applications

Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)

  • Advanced 3-nanometer architecture
  • High memory bandwidth of 614 GB/s for AI performance
  • Integrated Apple M5 Max 40 Core graphics unit
  • High multi-core performance for professional workstations

Performance Overview
Average performance across multiple benchmarks

Single-core performance
Rank 2 - 61 %
Apple M2 (8-GPU)
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
Multi-core performance
Rank 2 - 29 %
Apple M2 (8-GPU)
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
Cinebench 2024 Single-Core

Cinebench 2024 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M2 (8-GPU)
8C / 8T · 3.50 GHz
120 pts
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
18C / 18T · 4.61 GHz
199 pts
Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core

Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M2 (8-GPU)
8C / 8T · 3.50 GHz
555 pts
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
18C / 18T · 4.61 GHz
2,377 pts
Geekbench 6 Single-Core

Geekbench 6 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M2 (8-GPU)
8C / 8T · 3.50 GHz
2,596
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
18C / 18T · 4.61 GHz
4,250
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core

Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M2 (8-GPU)
8C / 8T · 3.50 GHz
10,062
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
18C / 18T · 0.91 GHz
29,200
iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

Apple M2 (8-GPU)
Apple M2 (8 Core)
2,840
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
Apple M5 Max (40 Core)
20,532

More benchmarks

At a glance

Wischen
Apple M2 (8-GPU)Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
FamilyApple M series (38)Apple M series (38)
CPU groupApple M2 (8)Apple M5 (6)
ArchitectureM2M5
Technology5 nm3 nm
SegmentNotebookNotebook
Socket
PredecessorApple M1Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
SuccessorApple M3 (8-GPU)

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

Wischen
Apple M2 (8-GPU)Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
CPU Cores / Threads8 / 818 / 18
Hyperthreading / SMT
Core architecturehybrid (big.LITTLE)hybrid (big.LITTLE)
Core Cluster 1: 4x Avalanche
0.66 - 3.50 GHz
6x Super-Core
0.91 - 4.61 GHz
Core Cluster 2: 4x Blizzard
0.60 - 2.42 GHz
12x Performance-Core
0.90 - 3.05 GHz
L2-Cache20.00 MB22.00 MB
L3-Cache
Overclocking

Integrated graphics (iGPU)

Wischen
Apple M2 (8-GPU)Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
GPU nameApple M2 (8 Core)Apple M5 Max (40 Core)
GPU frequency0.45 - 1.40 GHz0.34 - 1.90 GHz
CUs / Shader128 / 1024640 / 5120
Raytracing
Max. displays23
Max. GPU Memory24 GB128 GB
Technology5 nm3 nm
Release dateQ2/2022Q1/2026

NPU AI performance

Wischen
Apple M2 (8-GPU)Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
AI hardwareApple Neural EngineApple Neural Engine
AI specifications16 Neural cores @ 15.8 TOPS16 Neural cores @ 60 TOPS
NPU + CPU + iGPU

Memory & PCIe

Wischen
Apple M2 (8-GPU)Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
MemoryLPDDR5-6400 (102.4 GB/s)
LPDDR5X-9600 (614.4 GB/s)
Max. Memory24 GB128 GB
Memory channels28
ECCNoNo
PCIe4.05.0 x 8
PCIe Bandwidth31.5 GB/s

Thermal Management

Wischen
Apple M2 (8-GPU)Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
TDP20 W60 W
TDP (PL2)
TDP up25 W
TDP down10 W
T. junction max.100 °C100 °C

Technical details

Wischen
Apple M2 (8-GPU)Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
Chip designMonolithicMonolithic
AES-NI
Operating systemsmacOS, iPadOSmacOS, iPadOS
Instruction setArmv8.5-A (64 bit)Armv9.2-A (64 bit)
ISA extensionsRosetta 2 x86-EmulationRosetta 2 x86-Emulation, AVX2, SME
Release dateQ2/2022Q1/2026
Release price
DocumentsTechnical data sheet

Your rating

Here you can rate one or both of the processors. The average rating of Apple M2 (8-GPU) is 4.6 stars (111 ratings), while Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU) has received 4.9 stars (137 ratings).

Click on the stars to rate one or both processors.

Apple M2 (8-GPU)
Apple M2 (8-GPU)
8C / 8T · 0.66 - 3.50 GHz
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
18C / 18T · 0.91 - 4.61 GHz

Most popular CPUs in both categories

Apple M2 (8-GPU)
Apple M2 (8-GPU)
Buy now on Amazon and save! Buy on Amazon