Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) Apple M5
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) vs Apple M5

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The Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU), introduced in late 2023, is designed for demanding professional users who require maximum computing and graphics performance for complex tasks such as video editing, 3D rendering, and software development.

It is manufactured using an advanced 3 nm process and integrates 16 CPU cores and a powerful 40-core GPU. The impressive maximum memory bandwidth of 410 GB/s, combined with integrated graphics, enables high performance in AI workloads. In Geekbench 6, the Apple M3 Max demonstrates outstanding multi-core performance and very good single-core performance, making it ideal for graphics-intensive applications and gaming.

The Apple M5, as a newer generation processor, is also manufactured by Apple using the efficient 3 nm process.

It targets users seeking balanced performance and high energy efficiency for everyday tasks and mid-range professional applications. With an integrated 10-core GPU and a memory bandwidth of 154 GB/s, it offers solid graphics performance, although it falls below that of the M3 Max. In Geekbench 6, the Apple M5 significantly surpasses the Apple M3 Max in single-core performance, while exhibiting lower performance in multi-core applications.

This positions it as an efficient choice for workloads that benefit from fast single cores.

Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)

  • High multi-core performance
  • Excellent integrated graphics performance (40 cores)
  • High memory bandwidth (410 GB/s) for AI
  • Ideal for professional creative applications and gaming

Apple M5

  • Superior single-core performance
  • Efficient 3 nm architecture
  • High energy efficiency
  • Well suited for general tasks and single-thread applications

Performance Overview
Average performance across multiple benchmarks

Single-core performance
Rank 2 - 73 %
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M5
Multi-core performance
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
Rank 2 - 78 %
Apple M5
Cinebench 2024 Single-Core

Cinebench 2024 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C / 16T · 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 (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C / 16T · 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 (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C / 16T · 3.60 GHz
21,045
Apple M5
Apple M5 78 %
9C / 9T · 0.91 GHz
16,472
iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
Apple M3 Max (40 Core)
14,200
Apple M5
Apple M5 36 %
Apple M5 (10 Core)
5,133

More benchmarks

At a glance

Wischen
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-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 (16-CPU 40-GPU)

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

Wischen
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)Apple M5
CPU Cores / Threads16 / 169 / 9
Hyperthreading / SMT
Core architecturehybrid (big.LITTLE)hybrid (big.LITTLE)
Core Cluster 1: 12x 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 (16-CPU 40-GPU)Apple M5
GPU nameApple M3 Max (40 Core)Apple M5 (10 Core)
GPU frequency0.39 - 1.40 GHz0.34 - 1.90 GHz
CUs / Shader640 / 5120160 / 1280
Raytracing
Max. displays53
Max. GPU Memory128 GB24 GB
Technology3 nm3 nm
Release dateQ4/2023Q4/2025

NPU AI performance

Wischen
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-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 (16-CPU 40-GPU)Apple M5
MemoryLPDDR5-6400 (409.6 GB/s)
LPDDR5X-9600 (153.6 GB/s)
Max. Memory128 GB16 GB
Memory channels42
ECCNoNo
PCIe4.04.0
PCIe Bandwidth

Thermal Management

Wischen
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)Apple M5
TDP57 W17 W
TDP (PL2)
TDP up
TDP down15 W
T. junction max.100 °C100 °C

Technical details

Wischen
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-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 (16-CPU 40-GPU) is 4.9 stars (636 ratings), while Apple M5 has received 4.7 stars (404 ratings).

Click on the stars to rate one or both processors.

Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C / 16T · 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 (16-CPU 40-GPU)
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
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