Intel Core i5-14600 vs Apple M5 (10-CPU)

The Intel Core i5-14600 (Raptor Lake S Refresh) is a 10 nm Intel desktop processor (mainstream), with 14 cores (6 performance cores, 8 efficiency cores), 20 threads, 20 MB L2, 24 MB L3 cache, PCIe 5.0 and 90 GB/s memory throughput.

The Apple M5 (10-CPU) (M5) is a 3 nm Apple System-on-a-Chip for energy-efficient macOS desktops, integrating a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, offering 28 MB L2 cache, 154 GB/s memory throughput, and PCIe 4.0.

In terms of performance, the Apple M5 (10-CPU) shows significantly higher single-core performance and higher multi-core performance than the Intel Core i5-14600. For gaming, the Intel Core i5-14600 with a dedicated graphics card (via PCIe 5.0) is usually the better choice; its Intel UHD Graphics 770 is only for simple tasks.

The integrated 10-core GPU of the Apple M5 (10-CPU) delivers good performance for macOS titles. The Apple M5 (10-CPU) is also more energy-efficient and requires less cooling than the Intel Core i5-14600 with a TDP of up to 154W. The Intel Core i5-14600 is a flexible component for custom builds.

The Apple M5 (10-CPU) is valuable as part of an integrated Apple system due to system integration and efficiency. For Windows systems with expansion options, ideal for gaming (with a dedicated GPU) and versatile applications, the Intel Core i5-14600 is recommended. The Apple M5 (10-CPU) is the choice for an energy-efficient, quiet, and integrated macOS experience, especially for creative work.