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Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU) vs Apple M5 (10-CPU)
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Summary
The Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU) is a high-performance processor for professional users with demanding workloads such as video editing, 3D rendering, and software development.
It is manufactured using the 3 nm process and features 14 CPU cores, 30 GPU cores, 307 GB/s maximum memory bandwidth, and 36 MB L2 cache. The Apple M5 (10-CPU) targets the mainstream market and delivers balanced performance for everyday tasks, productivity, and lighter creative work.
It is also manufactured using the 3 nm process and has 10 CPU cores, 154 GB/s maximum memory bandwidth, and 28 MB L2 cache. In single-core performance tests (Geekbench 6, Cinebench 2024), the Apple M5 shows significantly higher performance than the Apple M3 Max. For multi-core performance, the Apple M3 Max clearly outperforms the Apple M5 in Cinebench 2024.
For gaming scenarios, the Apple M3 Max offers significantly better performance thanks to its 30 GPU cores. Its high memory bandwidth also supports good AI performance. The Apple M5 is more energy-efficient for general tasks, while the Apple M3 Max consumes more power under load. The Apple M5's price-performance ratio is more attractive for the average user.
The Apple M3 Max justifies its higher price through superior performance in specialized applications.
It is manufactured using the 3 nm process and features 14 CPU cores, 30 GPU cores, 307 GB/s maximum memory bandwidth, and 36 MB L2 cache. The Apple M5 (10-CPU) targets the mainstream market and delivers balanced performance for everyday tasks, productivity, and lighter creative work.
It is also manufactured using the 3 nm process and has 10 CPU cores, 154 GB/s maximum memory bandwidth, and 28 MB L2 cache. In single-core performance tests (Geekbench 6, Cinebench 2024), the Apple M5 shows significantly higher performance than the Apple M3 Max. For multi-core performance, the Apple M3 Max clearly outperforms the Apple M5 in Cinebench 2024.
For gaming scenarios, the Apple M3 Max offers significantly better performance thanks to its 30 GPU cores. Its high memory bandwidth also supports good AI performance. The Apple M5 is more energy-efficient for general tasks, while the Apple M3 Max consumes more power under load. The Apple M5's price-performance ratio is more attractive for the average user.
The Apple M3 Max justifies its higher price through superior performance in specialized applications.
Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU)
- Maximum performance for professional applications.
- Superior graphics performance with 30 GPU cores.
- High memory bandwidth of 307 GB/s, good for AI tasks.
- Significantly higher multi-core performance for complex workloads.
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
- Balanced performance for everyday and productive tasks.
- Significantly higher single-core performance.
- High energy efficiency for mobile devices.
- More attractive price-performance ratio for the mainstream.
Benchmarks
Performance Overview
Average performance across multiple benchmarks
Single-core performance
Multi-core performance
Cinebench 2026 Single-Thread
Single-core performance
14C / 14T · 4.06 GHz
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
100 %
10C / 10T · 4.61 GHz
Cinebench 2026 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance
14C / 14T · 4.06 GHz
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
76 %
10C / 10T · 4.61 GHz
Cinebench 2024 Single-Core
Single-core performance
14C / 14T · 4.06 GHz
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
100 %
10C / 10T · 4.61 GHz
Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance
14C / 14T · 4.06 GHz
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
85 %
10C / 10T · 4.61 GHz
Cinebench R23 Single-Core
Single-core performance
14C / 14T · 4.06 GHz
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
100 %
10C / 10T · 4.61 GHz
Cinebench R23 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance
14C / 14T · 3.60 GHz
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
63 %
10C / 10T · 3.60 GHz
Geekbench 6 Single-Core
Single-core performance
14C / 14T · 4.06 GHz
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
100 %
10C / 10T · 4.61 GHz
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance
14C / 14T · 3.60 GHz
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
92 %
10C / 10T · 3.60 GHz
iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)
Apple M3 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
AI performance (NPU)
218 entries
218 entries
Specifications
At a glance
|
Wischen
|
Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU) | Apple M5 (10-CPU) |
|---|---|---|
| Family | Apple M series (38) | Apple M series (38) |
| CPU group | Apple M3 (6) | Apple M5 (6) |
| Architecture | M3 | M5 |
| Technology | 3 nm | 3 nm |
| Segment | Notebook | Notebook |
| Socket | ||
| Predecessor | Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) | Apple M4 (10-CPU) |
| Successor | Apple M4 Max (14-CPU 32-GPU) |
CPU Cores and Base Frequency
|
Wischen
|
Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU) | Apple M5 (10-CPU) |
|---|---|---|
| CPU Cores / Threads | 14 / 14 | 10 / 10 |
| Hyperthreading / SMT | ✗ | ✗ |
| Core architecture | hybrid (big.LITTLE) | hybrid (big.LITTLE) |
| Core Cluster 1: | 10x Palma P-Core 0.70 - 4.06 GHz |
4x 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-Cache | 36.00 MB | 28.00 MB |
| L3-Cache | ||
| Overclocking | ✗ | ✗ |
Integrated graphics (iGPU)
|
Wischen
|
Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU) | Apple M5 (10-CPU) |
|---|---|---|
| GPU name | Apple M3 Max (30 Core) | Apple M5 (10 Core) |
| GPU frequency | 0.39 - 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 | 3 nm | 3 nm |
| Release date | Q4/2023 | Q4/2025 |
NPU AI performance
|
Wischen
|
Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU) | Apple M5 (10-CPU) |
|---|---|---|
| AI hardware | Apple Neural Engine | Apple Neural Engine |
| AI specifications | 16 Neural cores @ 35 TOPS | 16 Neural cores @ 60 TOPS |
| NPU + CPU + iGPU |
Memory & PCIe
|
Wischen
|
Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU) | Apple M5 (10-CPU) |
|---|---|---|
| Memory | LPDDR5-6400 (307.2 GB/s) | LPDDR5X-9600 (153.6 GB/s) |
| Max. Memory | 96 GB | 32 GB |
| Memory channels | 3 | 2 |
| ECC | No | No |
| PCIe | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| PCIe Bandwidth |
Thermal Management
|
Wischen
|
Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU) | Apple M5 (10-CPU) |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 50 W | 28 W |
| TDP (PL2) | ||
| TDP up | ||
| TDP down | 15 W | |
| T. junction max. | 100 °C | 100 °C |
Technical details
|
Wischen
|
Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU) | Apple M5 (10-CPU) |
|---|---|---|
| Chip design | Monolithic | Monolithic |
| AES-NI | ✓ | ✓ |
| Operating systems | macOS, iPadOS | macOS, iPadOS |
| Instruction set | Armv8-A (64 bit) | Armv9.2-A (64 bit) |
| ISA extensions | Rosetta 2 x86-Emulation | Rosetta 2 x86-Emulation, AVX2, SME |
| Release date | Q4/2023 | Q4/2025 |
| Release price | ||
| Documents |
User Reviews
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 (314 ratings), while Apple M5 (10-CPU) has received 4.8 stars (301 ratings).
Click on the stars to rate one or both processors.
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