Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) Apple M5 Pro (18-CPU 20-GPU)
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Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) vs Apple M5 Pro (18-CPU 20-GPU)

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The Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) was developed as a solution for professional users who primarily place high graphical demands on their system.

Manufactured using the 5-nanometer process based on the M2 architecture, the focus of this processor is on massive graphics performance. In common benchmarks, the chip shows solid single-core performance and reliable multi-core performance. Particularly noteworthy is the memory bandwidth of 410 GB/s, which, together with the integrated graphics unit, creates a good basis for AI applications.

In gaming scenarios, the Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) offers advantages in raw performance due to the high number of graphics cores. The thermal design allows for continuous operation without significant throttling. Pricing is in the upper segment, with the specialized hardware offering added value especially for video and 3D workflows.

The Apple M5 Pro (18-CPU 20-GPU) is a processor based on efficient 3-nanometer technology.

Thanks to the M5 architecture, this chip achieves single-core and multi-core performance values that are significantly higher than those of the M2 series. The computing speed for complex tasks is thus noticeably higher. Despite the lower number of graphics cores compared to the Max model, the Apple M5 Pro (18-CPU 20-GPU) delivers efficient graphics output thanks to its modern architecture.

With a memory bandwidth of 307 GB/s, good performance in AI-supported processes is also guaranteed here. Energy efficiency and the associated low heat generation are central features of this model. For users who need high CPU performance for data processing and software development, this processor represents a technologically advanced option, while it lags behind the M2 Max in pure graphics benchmarks.

Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)

  • High graphics performance with 38 GPU cores
  • Very high memory bandwidth of 410 GB/s
  • Optimized for professional video production and 3D design
  • Well-suited for local AI applications

Apple M5 Pro (18-CPU 20-GPU)

  • Modern manufacturing in the 3-nanometer process
  • High efficiency in single-core and multi-core performance
  • Optimized energy efficiency and low heat generation
  • Good AI performance due to high memory bandwidth

Performance Overview
Average performance across multiple benchmarks

Single-core performance
Rank 2 - 62 %
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M5 Pro (18-CPU 20-GPU)
Multi-core performance
Rank 2 - 48 %
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M5 Pro (18-CPU 20-GPU)
Cinebench 2024 Single-Core

Cinebench 2024 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
121 pts
Apple M5 Pro (18-CPU 20-GPU)
18C / 18T · 4.61 GHz
199 pts
Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core

Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
1,025 pts
Apple M5 Pro (18-CPU 20-GPU)
18C / 18T · 4.61 GHz
2,135 pts
Geekbench 6 Single-Core

Geekbench 6 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
2,689
Apple M5 Pro (18-CPU 20-GPU)
18C / 18T · 4.61 GHz
4,250
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core

Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
14,207
Apple M5 Pro (18-CPU 20-GPU)
18C / 18T · 0.91 GHz
29,200
iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
Apple M2 Max (38 Core)
13,490
Apple M5 Pro (18-CPU 20-GPU)
Apple M5 Pro (20 Core)
10,266

More benchmarks

At a glance

Wischen
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)Apple M5 Pro (18-CPU 20-GPU)
FamilyApple M series (38)Apple M series (38)
CPU groupApple M2 (8)Apple M5 (6)
ArchitectureM2M5
Technology5 nm3 nm
SegmentNotebookNotebook
Socket
PredecessorApple M1 Max (32-GPU)Apple M4 Pro (14-CPU 20-GPU)
Successor

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

Wischen
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)Apple M5 Pro (18-CPU 20-GPU)
CPU Cores / Threads12 / 1218 / 18
Hyperthreading / SMT
Core architecturehybrid (big.LITTLE)hybrid (big.LITTLE)
Core Cluster 1: 8x 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-Cache36.00 MB22.00 MB
L3-Cache
Overclocking

Integrated graphics (iGPU)

Wischen
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)Apple M5 Pro (18-CPU 20-GPU)
GPU nameApple M2 Max (38 Core)Apple M5 Pro (20 Core)
GPU frequency0.45 - 1.40 GHz0.34 - 1.90 GHz
CUs / Shader608 / 4864320 / 2560
Raytracing
Max. displays53
Max. GPU Memory96 GB64 GB
Technology5 nm3 nm
Release dateQ1/2023Q1/2026

NPU AI performance

Wischen
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)Apple M5 Pro (18-CPU 20-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 Max (38-GPU)Apple M5 Pro (18-CPU 20-GPU)
MemoryLPDDR5-6400 (409.6 GB/s)
LPDDR5X-9600 (307.2 GB/s)
Max. Memory96 GB64 GB
Memory channels44
ECCNoNo
PCIe4.0 x 325.0 x 8
PCIe Bandwidth63.0 GB/s31.5 GB/s

Thermal Management

Wischen
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)Apple M5 Pro (18-CPU 20-GPU)
TDP40 W45 W
TDP (PL2)
TDP up
TDP down35 W
T. junction max.100 °C100 °C

Technical details

Wischen
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)Apple M5 Pro (18-CPU 20-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 dateQ1/2023Q1/2026
Release price
DocumentsTechnical data sheet

Your rating

Here you can rate one or both of the processors. The average rating of Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) is 4.8 stars (89 ratings), while Apple M5 Pro (18-CPU 20-GPU) has received 4.7 stars (63 ratings).

Click on the stars to rate one or both processors.

Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C / 12T · 0.66 - 3.50 GHz
Apple M5 Pro (18-CPU 20-GPU)
Apple M5 Pro (18-CPU 20-GPU)
18C / 18T · 0.91 - 4.61 GHz

Most popular CPUs in both categories

Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
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