Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU) Apple M5
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Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU) vs Apple M5

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Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU) is a high-performance processor designed for demanding professional applications and workflows.

It was manufactured using a 3nm fabrication process and is based on Apple's M3 architecture. This chip integrates 14 CPU cores and a powerful graphics unit with 30 GPU cores to handle intensive graphics tasks and complex calculations. The high memory bandwidth of 307 GB/s also supports good performance in AI applications and ensures fast data throughput.

With a 36 MB Level 2 Cache, it is designed for maximum raw performance and efficiency in professional applications. In multicore performance, the Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU) significantly outperforms the Apple M5, making it the better choice for compute-intensive tasks.

For gaming scenarios, it offers superior performance thanks to its numerous GPU cores and high memory bandwidth. It is primarily intended for high-end devices and is positioned in the upper price segment. Apple M5 is a next-generation processor, also manufactured using Apple's advanced 3nm fabrication process and based on the M5 architecture.

It is designed to offer improved performance with high energy efficiency for a wide range of applications, from everyday tasks to more demanding workloads. The processor features a 28 MB Level 2 Cache and a memory bandwidth of 154 GB/s. The integrated Apple M5 (10 Core) graphics unit indicates good graphics performance for the mainstream segment.

In terms of single-core performance, the Apple M5 shows noticeably higher performance compared to the Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU), which is beneficial for applications with low parallelization. Its development focuses on increased performance per watt, leading to better energy efficiency.

The Apple M5 is expected to offer good value for money for general use.

Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU)

  • High multicore performance for compute-intensive tasks
  • Superior graphics performance and gaming capabilities
  • Excellent performance in professional applications and AI
  • High memory bandwidth of 307 GB/s

Apple M5

  • Higher single-core performance for fast responses
  • Improved energy efficiency and performance per watt
  • Good value for money for general use
  • Modern next-generation 3nm architecture

Performance Overview
Average performance across multiple benchmarks

Single-core performance
Rank 2 - 73 %
Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU)
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M5
Multi-core performance
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU)
Rank 2 - 85 %
Apple M5
Cinebench 2024 Single-Core

Cinebench 2024 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU)
14C / 14T · 4.06 GHz
141 pts
Apple M5
Apple M5 100 %
9C / 9T · 4.61 GHz
198 pts
Geekbench 6 Single-Core

Geekbench 6 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU)
14C / 14T · 4.06 GHz
3,125
Apple M5
Apple M5 100 %
9C / 9T · 4.61 GHz
4,133
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core

Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU)
14C / 14T · 3.60 GHz
19,404
Apple M5
Apple M5 85 %
9C / 9T · 0.91 GHz
16,472
iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU)
Apple M3 Max (30 Core)
10,650
Apple M5
Apple M5 48 %
Apple M5 (10 Core)
5,133

More benchmarks

At a glance

Wischen
Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU)Apple M5
FamilyApple M series (38)Apple M series (38)
CPU groupApple M3 (6)Apple M5 (6)
ArchitectureM3M5
Technology3 nm3 nm
SegmentNotebookNotebook
Socket
PredecessorApple M2 Max (30-GPU)Apple M4
SuccessorApple M4 Max (14-CPU 32-GPU)

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

Wischen
Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU)Apple M5
CPU Cores / Threads14 / 149 / 9
Hyperthreading / SMT
Core architecturehybrid (big.LITTLE)hybrid (big.LITTLE)
Core Cluster 1: 10x Palma P-Core
0.70 - 4.06 GHz
3x P-Core
0.91 - 4.61 GHz
Core Cluster 2: 4x Palma E-Core
0.74 - 2.75 GHz
6x E-Core
0.90 - 3.05 GHz
L2-Cache36.00 MB28.00 MB
L3-Cache
Overclocking

Integrated graphics (iGPU)

Wischen
Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU)Apple M5
GPU nameApple M3 Max (30 Core)Apple M5 (10 Core)
GPU frequency0.39 - 1.40 GHz0.34 - 1.90 GHz
CUs / Shader480 / 3840160 / 1280
Raytracing
Max. displays53
Max. GPU Memory96 GB24 GB
Technology3 nm3 nm
Release dateQ4/2023Q4/2025

NPU AI performance

Wischen
Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU)Apple M5
AI hardwareApple Neural EngineApple Neural Engine
AI specifications16 Neural cores @ 35 TOPS16 Neural cores @ 60 TOPS
NPU + CPU + iGPU

Memory & PCIe

Wischen
Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU)Apple M5
MemoryLPDDR5-6400 (307.2 GB/s)
LPDDR5X-9600 (153.6 GB/s)
Max. Memory96 GB16 GB
Memory channels32
ECCNoNo
PCIe4.04.0
PCIe Bandwidth

Thermal Management

Wischen
Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU)Apple M5
TDP50 W17 W
TDP (PL2)
TDP up
TDP down15 W
T. junction max.100 °C100 °C

Technical details

Wischen
Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU)Apple M5
Chip designMonolithicMonolithic
AES-NI
Operating systemsmacOS, iPadOSmacOS, iPadOS
Instruction setArmv8-A (64 bit)Armv9.2-A (64 bit)
ISA extensionsRosetta 2 x86-EmulationRosetta 2 x86-Emulation, AVX2, SME
Release dateQ4/2023Q4/2025
Release price
Documents

Your rating

Here you can rate one or both of the processors. The average rating of Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU) is 4.8 stars (316 ratings), while Apple M5 has received 4.7 stars (404 ratings).

Click on the stars to rate one or both processors.

Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU)
Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU)
14C / 14T · 0.70 - 4.06 GHz
Apple M5
Apple M5
9C / 9T · 0.91 - 4.61 GHz

Most popular CPUs in both categories

Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU)
Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU)
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