Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU) NVIDIA N1X
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Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU) vs NVIDIA N1X

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The Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU) is a high-performance processor for creative professionals, based on the M5 architecture.

It is manufactured using a 3-nanometer process with 18 processor cores. In performance metrics, the unit shows significantly higher speeds in single-core and multi-core tasks compared to the competitor. Thanks to a memory bandwidth of 614 GB/s and the integrated Apple M5 Max (40 Core) graphics unit, performance in artificial intelligence applications is very high.

For gaming, the computing unit is well-suited due to the GPU performance, provided the software is optimized. Energy efficiency is inherently high, minimizing thermal load. The price-performance ratio is determined by its integration into the closed ecosystem. The system also supports the PCIe 5.0 standard.

The Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU) is recommended for maximum computing power in creative workflows. The NVIDIA N1X utilizes the GB10 Grace Blackwell architecture and is aimed at users in the workstation sector.

It is also produced using a 3-nanometer process. In relevant performance measurements, this model lags significantly behind the comparison model. With a memory bandwidth of 301 GB/s and the integrated NVIDIA N1X (GB20B) graphics unit, the system provides a good foundation for artificial intelligence tasks.

In gaming scenarios, the unit is usable, though the focus is on professional applications. The Level 3 cache is 32 MB and PCIe 5.0 is supported. The thermal design power requires appropriate cooling for stable operation. The price-performance ratio is situated in the upper professional segment. The NVIDIA N1X is the choice for users who need a connection to the manufacturer's specific professional ecosystem.

Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)

  • High memory bandwidth of 614 GB/s for AI performance
  • Manufactured using a modern 3-nanometer process
  • Integrated Apple M5 Max 40-core graphics
  • Superior multi-core performance in comparison

NVIDIA N1X

  • Based on the GB10 Grace Blackwell architecture
  • Support for PCIe 5.0 data transfer
  • Good AI performance through 301 GB/s bandwidth
  • Existing Level 3 cache of 32 MB

Performance Overview
Average performance across multiple benchmarks

Single-core performance
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
Rank 2 - 76 %
NVIDIA N1X
Multi-core performance
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
Rank 2 - 62 %
NVIDIA N1X
Geekbench 6 Single-Core

Geekbench 6 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
18C / 18T · 4.61 GHz
4,250
NVIDIA N1X
NVIDIA N1X 76 %
20C / 20T · 4.05 GHz
3,240
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core

Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
18C / 18T · 0.91 GHz
29,200
NVIDIA N1X
NVIDIA N1X 62 %
20C / 20T · 1.50 GHz
18,200
iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
Apple M5 Max (40 Core)
20,532
NVIDIA N1X
NVIDIA N1X 100 %
NVIDIA N1X (GB20B)
29,710

More benchmarks

At a glance

Wischen
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)NVIDIA N1X
FamilyApple M series (38)NVIDIA N1 (1)
CPU groupApple M5 (6)NVIDIA N1X (1)
ArchitectureM5GB10 Grace / Blackwell
Technology3 nm3 nm
SegmentNotebookNotebook
Socket
PredecessorApple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
Successor

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

Wischen
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)NVIDIA N1X
CPU Cores / Threads18 / 1820 / 20
Hyperthreading / SMT
Core architecturehybrid (big.LITTLE)hybrid (big.LITTLE)
Core Cluster 1: 6x Super-Core
0.91 - 4.61 GHz
10x Cortex-X925
1.50 - 4.05 GHz
Core Cluster 2: 12x Performance-Core
0.90 - 3.05 GHz
10x Cortex-A725
1.80 - 2.80 GHz
L2-Cache22.00 MB24.00 MB
L3-Cache32.00 MB
Overclocking

Integrated graphics (iGPU)

Wischen
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)NVIDIA N1X
GPU nameApple M5 Max (40 Core)NVIDIA N1X (GB20B)
GPU frequency0.34 - 1.90 GHz1.05 - 2.42 GHz
CUs / Shader640 / 512048 / 6144
Raytracing
Max. displays34
Max. GPU Memory128 GB128 GB
Technology3 nm3 nm
Release dateQ1/2026Q2/2026

NPU AI performance

Wischen
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)NVIDIA N1X
AI hardwareApple Neural EngineNVIDIA Blackwell Tensor Engine
AI specifications16 Neural cores @ 60 TOPS384 Tensor Kerne (5. Gen Blackwell)
NPU + CPU + iGPUFP4: 1000 TOPS. FP8: 500 TOPS

Memory & PCIe

Wischen
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)NVIDIA N1X
MemoryLPDDR5X-9600 (614.4 GB/s)
LPDDR5X-9400 (301.0 GB/s)
Max. Memory128 GB128 GB
Memory channels84
ECCNoNo
PCIe5.0 x 85.0 x 8
PCIe Bandwidth31.5 GB/s31.5 GB/s

Thermal Management

Wischen
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)NVIDIA N1X
TDP60 W140 W
TDP (PL2)
TDP up240 W
TDP down
T. junction max.100 °C

Technical details

Wischen
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)NVIDIA N1X
Chip designMonolithicMonolithic
AES-NI
Operating systemsmacOS, iPadOSWindows 11, Linux
Instruction setArmv9.2-A (64 bit)Armv9.2-A (64 bit)
ISA extensionsRosetta 2 x86-Emulation, AVX2, SMESVE2, SME, MTE, VIRT
Release dateQ1/2026Q2/2026
Release price
Documents

Your rating

Here you can rate one or both of the processors. The average rating of Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU) is 4.9 stars (137 ratings), while NVIDIA N1X has received 3.5 stars (8 ratings).

Click on the stars to rate one or both processors.

Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
18C / 18T · 0.91 - 4.61 GHz
NVIDIA N1X
NVIDIA N1X
20C / 20T · 1.50 - 4.05 GHz

Most popular CPUs in both categories

Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
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