Apple M5 Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
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Apple M5 vs Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)

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The Apple M5 is a modern processor designed for use in compact desktop systems. It is primarily aimed at users looking for an efficient solution for everyday tasks.

Manufactured using the 3-nanometer process, this chip offers an optimized architecture with a 28 MB L2 cache and PCIe 4.0 support. In terms of computing capacity, the Apple M5 delivers stable single-core performance that is perfectly adequate for standard applications. However, in terms of multi-core performance, it lags significantly behind the Max model.

The integrated Apple M5 (10 Core) graphics are suitable for simple graphical requirements but reach their limits with demanding games. Due to the low power consumption, the thermal load remains low, which enables quiet operation. The price-performance ratio is attractively designed for the mass market.

The Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU) is designed as a high-performance chip for professional users who require high computing power. Like the base model, it is based on 3-nanometer manufacturing technology, but uses 18 CPU cores and PCIe 4.0. While the single-core performance remains almost identical compared to the standard model, the Apple M5 Max offers a significant advantage in multi-core scenarios.

Thanks to a memory bandwidth of 614 GB/s, the processor has very good AI performance, making it predestined for modern workflows. The Apple M5 Max (32 Core) graphics also enable fluid rendering in graphics-intensive scenarios. The higher power consumption requires an appropriate cooling system to ensure thermal stability.

Despite the higher purchase price, the chip offers excellent efficiency for professional applications such as video editing and complex data processing.

Apple M5

  • Manufactured using the 3-nanometer process
  • Integrated Apple M5 (10 Core) graphics
  • 28 MB L2 cache
  • Efficient power consumption for quiet operation

Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)

  • 18 CPU cores for professional applications
  • Memory bandwidth of 614 GB/s for high AI performance
  • Apple M5 Max (32 Core) graphics for complex tasks
  • Multi-core performance significantly above the base model

Performance Overview
Average performance across multiple benchmarks

Single-core performance
Rank 2 - 98 %
Apple M5
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
Multi-core performance
Rank 2 - 56 %
Apple M5
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
Cinebench 2024 Single-Core

Cinebench 2024 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M5
Apple M5 99 %
9C / 9T · 4.61 GHz
198 pts
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
18C / 18T · 4.61 GHz
199 pts
Geekbench 6 Single-Core

Geekbench 6 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M5
Apple M5 97 %
9C / 9T · 4.61 GHz
4,133
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
18C / 18T · 4.61 GHz
4,250
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core

Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M5
Apple M5 56 %
9C / 9T · 0.91 GHz
16,472
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
18C / 18T · 0.91 GHz
29,200
iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

Apple M5
Apple M5 31 %
Apple M5 (10 Core)
5,133
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
Apple M5 Max (32 Core)
16,426

More benchmarks

At a glance

Wischen
Apple M5Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
FamilyApple M series (38)Apple M series (38)
CPU groupApple M5 (6)Apple M5 (6)
ArchitectureM5M5
Technology3 nm3 nm
SegmentNotebookNotebook
Socket
PredecessorApple M4Apple M4 Max (14-CPU 32-GPU)
Successor

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

Wischen
Apple M5Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
CPU Cores / Threads9 / 918 / 18
Hyperthreading / SMT
Core architecturehybrid (big.LITTLE)hybrid (big.LITTLE)
Core Cluster 1: 3x P-Core
0.91 - 4.61 GHz
6x Super-Core
0.91 - 4.61 GHz
Core Cluster 2: 6x E-Core
0.90 - 3.05 GHz
12x Performance-Core
0.90 - 3.05 GHz
L2-Cache28.00 MB22.00 MB
L3-Cache
Overclocking

Integrated graphics (iGPU)

Wischen
Apple M5Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
GPU nameApple M5 (10 Core)Apple M5 Max (32 Core)
GPU frequency0.34 - 1.90 GHz0.34 - 1.90 GHz
CUs / Shader160 / 1280512 / 4096
Raytracing
Max. displays34
Max. GPU Memory24 GB36 GB
Technology3 nm3 nm
Release dateQ4/2025Q1/2026

NPU AI performance

Wischen
Apple M5Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
AI hardwareApple Neural EngineApple Neural Engine
AI specifications16 Neural cores @ 60 TOPS16 Neural cores @ 60 TOPS
NPU + CPU + iGPU

Memory & PCIe

Wischen
Apple M5Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
MemoryLPDDR5X-9600 (153.6 GB/s)
LPDDR5X-9600 (614.4 GB/s)
Max. Memory16 GB36 GB
Memory channels28
ECCNoNo
PCIe4.05.0 x 8
PCIe Bandwidth31.5 GB/s

Thermal Management

Wischen
Apple M5Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
TDP17 W60 W
TDP (PL2)
TDP up
TDP down15 W
T. junction max.100 °C100 °C

Technical details

Wischen
Apple M5Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
Chip designMonolithicMonolithic
AES-NI
Operating systemsmacOS, iPadOSmacOS, iPadOS
Instruction setArmv9.2-A (64 bit)Armv9.2-A (64 bit)
ISA extensionsRosetta 2 x86-Emulation, AVX2, SMERosetta 2 x86-Emulation, AVX2, SME
Release dateQ4/2025Q1/2026
Release price
Documents

Your rating

Here you can rate one or both of the processors. The average rating of Apple M5 is 4.6 stars (421 ratings), while Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU) has received 4.9 stars (86 ratings).

Click on the stars to rate one or both processors.

Apple M5
Apple M5
9C / 9T · 0.91 - 4.61 GHz
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
18C / 18T · 0.91 - 4.61 GHz

Most popular CPUs in both categories

Apple M5
Apple M5
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