Apple M3 Pro (12-CPU 18-GPU) Apple M5 (10-CPU)
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Apple M3 Pro (12-CPU 18-GPU) vs Apple M5 (10-CPU)

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Introduction: The Apple M3 Pro (12-CPU 18-GPU) is for professional users with high demands on graphics and computing performance.

The Apple M5 (10-CPU) targets demanding users who require high CPU performance.

Both are manufactured using the 3 nm fabrication process. Cores and Performance: The Apple M3 Pro (12-CPU 18-GPU) integrates 12 CPU cores and a graphics unit with 18 cores. The Apple M5 (10-CPU) features 10 CPU cores and an integrated graphics unit. In single-core performance, the Apple M5 (10-CPU) shows a clear lead of over 30 percent.

In multi-core performance, the Apple M5 (10-CPU) also surpasses the Apple M3 Pro (12-CPU 18-GPU) with an advantage of over 10 percent in some tests. Gaming, Efficiency, and Price: For gaming, the Apple M3 Pro (12-CPU 18-GPU) is more advantageous due to its 18 GPU cores and offers smoother visuals in graphics-intensive applications.

Both Apple processors are very energy-efficient, with the Apple M5 (10-CPU) potentially being more efficient. Exact market prices are unknown. The Apple M3 Pro (12-CPU 18-GPU) is likely more expensive due to its graphics performance and "Pro" designation. The Apple M5 (10-CPU) should offer a better price-performance ratio for CPU-intensive tasks.

Summary and Recommendation: The Apple M3 Pro (12-CPU 18-GPU) is ideal for professional users who need very high graphics performance and robust multi-core capabilities. The Apple M5 (10-CPU) is excellent for users who value superior single-core and very good multi-core performance.

Apple M3 Pro (12-CPU 18-GPU)

  • 12 CPU cores
  • 18 GPU cores for superior graphics performance
  • Robust multi-core capabilities
  • Advantageous for gaming and creative applications

Apple M5 (10-CPU)

  • 10 CPU cores
  • Superior single-core performance
  • Very good multi-core performance
  • High energy efficiency

Performance Overview
Average performance across multiple benchmarks

Single-core performance
Rank 2 - 75 %
Apple M3 Pro (12-CPU 18-GPU)
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
Multi-core performance
Rank 2 - 97 %
Apple M3 Pro (12-CPU 18-GPU)
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
Cinebench 2024 Single-Core

Cinebench 2024 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M3 Pro (12-CPU 18-GPU)
12C / 12T · 4.06 GHz
142 pts
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
10C / 10T · 4.61 GHz
198 pts
Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core

Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M3 Pro (12-CPU 18-GPU)
12C / 12T · 4.06 GHz
1,059 pts
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
10C / 10T · 4.61 GHz
1,161 pts
Cinebench R23 Single-Core

Cinebench R23 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M3 Pro (12-CPU 18-GPU)
12C / 12T · 4.06 GHz
1,928 pts
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
10C / 10T · 4.61 GHz
2,411 pts
Cinebench R23 Multi-Core

Cinebench R23 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M3 Pro (12-CPU 18-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.80 GHz
15,061 pts
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
10C / 10T · 3.60 GHz
13,299 pts
Geekbench 6 Single-Core

Geekbench 6 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M3 Pro (12-CPU 18-GPU)
12C / 12T · 4.06 GHz
3,152
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
10C / 10T · 4.61 GHz
4,309
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core

Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M3 Pro (12-CPU 18-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.80 GHz
15,619
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
10C / 10T · 3.60 GHz
17,874
iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

Apple M3 Pro (12-CPU 18-GPU)
Apple M3 Pro (18 Core)
6,390
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
Apple M5 (10 Core)
5,133

More benchmarks

At a glance

Wischen
Apple M3 Pro (12-CPU 18-GPU)Apple M5 (10-CPU)
FamilyApple M series (38)Apple M series (38)
CPU groupApple M3 (6)Apple M5 (6)
ArchitectureM3M5
Technology3 nm3 nm
SegmentNotebookNotebook
Socket
PredecessorApple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU)Apple M4 (10-CPU)
SuccessorApple M4 Pro (14-CPU 20-GPU)

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

Wischen
Apple M3 Pro (12-CPU 18-GPU)Apple M5 (10-CPU)
CPU Cores / Threads12 / 1210 / 10
Hyperthreading / SMT
Core architecturehybrid (big.LITTLE)hybrid (big.LITTLE)
Core Cluster 1: 6x Lobos P-Core
0.70 - 4.06 GHz
4x P-Core
0.91 - 4.61 GHz
Core Cluster 2: 6x Lobos 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 Pro (12-CPU 18-GPU)Apple M5 (10-CPU)
GPU nameApple M3 Pro (18 Core)Apple M5 (10 Core)
GPU frequency0.39 - 1.40 GHz0.34 - 1.90 GHz
CUs / Shader288 / 2304160 / 1280
Raytracing
Max. displays33
Max. GPU Memory36 GB24 GB
Technology3 nm3 nm
Release dateQ4/2023Q4/2025

NPU AI performance

Wischen
Apple M3 Pro (12-CPU 18-GPU)Apple M5 (10-CPU)
AI hardwareApple Neural EngineApple Neural Engine
AI specifications16 Neural cores @ 35 TOPS16 Neural cores @ 60 TOPS
NPU + CPU + iGPU

Memory & PCIe

Wischen
Apple M3 Pro (12-CPU 18-GPU)Apple M5 (10-CPU)
MemoryLPDDR5-6400 (153.6 GB/s)
LPDDR5X-9600 (153.6 GB/s)
Max. Memory36 GB32 GB
Memory channels22
ECCNoNo
PCIe4.04.0
PCIe Bandwidth

Thermal Management

Wischen
Apple M3 Pro (12-CPU 18-GPU)Apple M5 (10-CPU)
TDP35 W28 W
TDP (PL2)
TDP up
TDP down15 W
T. junction max.100 °C100 °C

Technical details

Wischen
Apple M3 Pro (12-CPU 18-GPU)Apple M5 (10-CPU)
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 Pro (12-CPU 18-GPU) is 4.8 stars (293 ratings), while Apple M5 (10-CPU) has received 4.8 stars (315 ratings).

Click on the stars to rate one or both processors.

Apple M3 Pro (12-CPU 18-GPU)
Apple M3 Pro (12-CPU 18-GPU)
12C / 12T · 0.70 - 4.06 GHz
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
10C / 10T · 0.91 - 4.61 GHz

Most popular CPUs in both categories

Apple M3 Pro (12-CPU 18-GPU)
Apple M3 Pro (12-CPU 18-GPU)
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