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Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) vs Apple M5 (10-CPU)
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Summary
The Apple M2 Max (30-GPU), based on 5 nm M2 architecture, is aimed at professional users. It offers 410 GB/s memory bandwidth and an Apple M2 Max (30 Core) graphics module that also benefits AI applications.
The Apple M5 (10-CPU) uses the more advanced 3 nm M5 architecture for improved energy efficiency.
With 10 processor cores and 154 GB/s memory bandwidth, it is designed for balanced performance. In CPU-intensive single-core and multi-core tasks, the Apple M5 (10-CPU) significantly outperforms the Apple M2 Max (30-GPU). For gaming and graphics-intensive applications, the Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) is the better choice thanks to its 30 graphics cores and superior memory bandwidth.
The Apple M5 (10-CPU) is characterized by higher energy efficiency. The M2 Max (30-GPU) requires more power under full graphics card load, but also offers higher peak performance. The price-performance ratio depends on the area of application. The Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) is ideal for creative professionals, gamers, and AI applications.
The Apple M5 (10-CPU) is excellent for users seeking maximum CPU performance and efficiency for general tasks.
The Apple M5 (10-CPU) uses the more advanced 3 nm M5 architecture for improved energy efficiency.
With 10 processor cores and 154 GB/s memory bandwidth, it is designed for balanced performance. In CPU-intensive single-core and multi-core tasks, the Apple M5 (10-CPU) significantly outperforms the Apple M2 Max (30-GPU). For gaming and graphics-intensive applications, the Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) is the better choice thanks to its 30 graphics cores and superior memory bandwidth.
The Apple M5 (10-CPU) is characterized by higher energy efficiency. The M2 Max (30-GPU) requires more power under full graphics card load, but also offers higher peak performance. The price-performance ratio depends on the area of application. The Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) is ideal for creative professionals, gamers, and AI applications.
The Apple M5 (10-CPU) is excellent for users seeking maximum CPU performance and efficiency for general tasks.
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
- High graphics performance with 30 GPU cores
- Very high memory bandwidth of 410 GB/s
- Suitable for demanding creative work and gaming
- Good performance in AI applications
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
- Superior CPU performance (single- and multi-core)
- Manufactured using an efficient 3 nm process
- High energy efficiency
- Modern architecture for computationally intensive tasks
Benchmarks
Performance Overview
Average performance across multiple benchmarks
Single-core performance
Multi-core performance
Cinebench 2024 Single-Core
Single-core performance
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
100 %
10C / 10T · 4.61 GHz
Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
100 %
10C / 10T · 4.61 GHz
Cinebench R23 Single-Core
Single-core performance
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
100 %
10C / 10T · 4.61 GHz
Cinebench R23 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
100 %
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
90 %
10C / 10T · 3.60 GHz
Geekbench 6 Single-Core
Single-core performance
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
100 %
10C / 10T · 4.61 GHz
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
100 %
10C / 10T · 3.60 GHz
iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
100 %
Apple M2 Max (30 Core)
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
48 %
Apple M5 (10 Core)
More benchmarks
Cinebench 2026 (ST)
218 entries
218 entries
Cinebench 2026 (MC)
219 entries
219 entries
Cinebench 2024 (SC)
427 entries
427 entries
Cinebench 2024 (MC)
422 entries
422 entries
Cinebench R23 (SC)
690 entries
690 entries
Cinebench R23 (MC)
665 entries
665 entries
Geekbench 6 (SC)
1,989 entries
1,989 entries
Geekbench 6 (MC)
1,927 entries
1,927 entries
Geekbench 5 (SC)
2,512 entries
2,512 entries
Geekbench 5 (MC)
2,483 entries
2,483 entries
FP32 SP (iGPU)
2,219 entries
2,219 entries
PassMark CPU-Mark
2,504 entries
2,504 entries
CPU performance per watt (efficiency)
140 entries
140 entries
AI performance (NPU)
218 entries
218 entries
Specifications
At a glance
|
Wischen
|
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) | Apple M5 (10-CPU) |
|---|---|---|
| Family | Apple M series (38) | Apple M series (38) |
| CPU group | Apple M2 (8) | Apple M5 (6) |
| Architecture | M2 | M5 |
| Technology | 5 nm | 3 nm |
| Segment | Notebook | Notebook |
| Socket | ||
| Predecessor | Apple M1 Max (24-GPU) | Apple M4 (10-CPU) |
| Successor | Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU) |
CPU Cores and Base Frequency
|
Wischen
|
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) | Apple M5 (10-CPU) |
|---|---|---|
| CPU Cores / Threads | 12 / 12 | 10 / 10 |
| Hyperthreading / SMT | ✗ | ✗ |
| Core architecture | hybrid (big.LITTLE) | hybrid (big.LITTLE) |
| Core Cluster 1: | 8x Avalanche 0.66 - 3.50 GHz |
4x P-Core 0.91 - 4.61 GHz |
| Core Cluster 2: | 4x Blizzard 0.60 - 2.42 GHz |
6x E-Core 0.90 - 3.05 GHz |
| L2-Cache | 36.00 MB | 28.00 MB |
| L3-Cache | ||
| Overclocking | ✗ | ✗ |
Integrated graphics (iGPU)
|
Wischen
|
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) | Apple M5 (10-CPU) |
|---|---|---|
| GPU name | Apple M2 Max (30 Core) | Apple M5 (10 Core) |
| GPU frequency | 0.45 - 1.40 GHz | 0.34 - 1.90 GHz |
| CUs / Shader | 480 / 3840 | 160 / 1280 |
| Raytracing | ✗ | ✓ |
| Max. displays | 5 | 3 |
| Max. GPU Memory | 96 GB | 24 GB |
| Technology | 5 nm | 3 nm |
| Release date | Q1/2023 | Q4/2025 |
NPU AI performance
|
Wischen
|
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) | Apple M5 (10-CPU) |
|---|---|---|
| AI hardware | Apple Neural Engine | Apple Neural Engine |
| AI specifications | 16 Neural cores @ 15.8 TOPS | 16 Neural cores @ 60 TOPS |
| NPU + CPU + iGPU |
Memory & PCIe
|
Wischen
|
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) | Apple M5 (10-CPU) |
|---|---|---|
| Memory | LPDDR5-6400 (409.6 GB/s) | LPDDR5X-9600 (153.6 GB/s) |
| Max. Memory | 96 GB | 32 GB |
| Memory channels | 4 | 2 |
| ECC | No | No |
| PCIe | 4.0 x 32 | 4.0 |
| PCIe Bandwidth | 63.0 GB/s |
Thermal Management
|
Wischen
|
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) | Apple M5 (10-CPU) |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 45 W | 28 W |
| TDP (PL2) | ||
| TDP up | ||
| TDP down | 15 W | |
| T. junction max. | 100 °C | 100 °C |
Technical details
|
Wischen
|
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) | Apple M5 (10-CPU) |
|---|---|---|
| Chip design | Monolithic | Monolithic |
| AES-NI | ✓ | ✓ |
| Operating systems | macOS, iPadOS | macOS, iPadOS |
| Instruction set | Armv8.5-A (64 bit) | Armv9.2-A (64 bit) |
| ISA extensions | Rosetta 2 x86-Emulation | Rosetta 2 x86-Emulation, AVX2, SME |
| Release date | Q1/2023 | Q4/2025 |
| Release price | ||
| Documents | Technical data sheet |
User Reviews
Your rating
Here you can rate one or both of the processors. The average rating of Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) is 4.6 stars (57 ratings), while Apple M5 (10-CPU) has received 4.8 stars (305 ratings).
Click on the stars to rate one or both processors.
Most popular CPUs in both categories
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Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
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2
Apple M2 Ultra (76-GPU)
24C / 24T · 3.50 GHz
3
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
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4
Apple M1 Ultra (64-GPU)
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Apple M1 Ultra (48-GPU)
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Apple M2 Ultra (60-GPU)
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Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)
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Apple M5 (10-CPU)
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9
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
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