M5 Max vs AMD and Intel: Apple laptop beats flagship desktop processors
Leaks from Geekbench 6 show that the new Apple M5 Max chip scored about 29,233 points in the multi-core test. This is higher than several flagship desktop processors from AMD and Intel. For a mobile chip, such a result looks unusual and has already sparked active discussion in tech media.
M5 Max vs AMD and Intel
It may seem that we have already become used to Apple showing charts every year where its chips outperform Intel. But fresh Geekbench 6 leaks for the M5 Max chip, expected in the new 16-inch MacBook Pro models, make even supporters of the x86 architecture look closely at the numbers. A score of 29,233 points in the multi-core benchmark looks like a new performance level for a mobile processor.
This is not just about a faster laptop. According to early tests, M5 Max reaches a level where it begins competing with flagship desktop processors. That is exactly why these Geekbench leaks are being widely discussed across the tech media landscape.
The fall of hardware giants: AMD and Intel in the rearview mirror
What stands out most is not the victory over mobile chips. Test results suggest that M5 Max even surpasses several top desktop processors, including the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 based on the Strix Halo architecture, Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, and Ryzen 9 9950X. For a laptop, this situation looks unusual.
AMD’s flagship lags behind by roughly 25%, while the Ryzen 9 9950X trails by about 23%. The gap becomes even more interesting when considering the power limits of those processors. Desktop chips operate with much higher thermal envelopes, yet still fall behind Apple Silicon.
Architectural paradox: 18 cores vs 64
- browser.geekbench.com
The single-core score is also impressive — 4,268 points. That is currently one of the highest scores ever recorded for consumer processors. Single-core performance directly affects how quickly apps launch, how responsive the system interface feels, and how fast a browser operates.
Even the 64-core Threadripper 9980X barely keeps up. In the multi-core test it beats M5 Max by only about 6.6%, which is a very small margin considering the difference in core count. For the x86 ecosystem, this looks like a strong signal of shifting balance.
GPU: 40 cores replacing a dedicated graphics card
The graphics subsystem of M5 Max also shows a noticeable improvement. In the Metal benchmark it scores over 232,000 points, roughly 20% higher than M4 Max. For a mobile GPU, this is an extremely strong result.
The comparison with M3 Ultra is even more interesting. That chip had twice as many GPU cores, yet the M5 Max result comes very close. This suggests that the efficiency of each GPU core has significantly improved in the new generation.
The M5 Max phenomenon: numbers that are hard to ignore
MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max Released — Apple’s Most Powerful Laptop of 2026
Apple has officially launched the 2026 MacBook Pro powered by the new M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. Pre-orders are now live, with availability starting March 11. The company promises up to 2× faster CPU, 5× GPU gains, and up to 8× AI performance — making this the most powerful MacBook Pro ever built.
Looking at Geekbench 6 multi-core results makes the picture clearer. The 18-core M5 Max scores about 29,233 points. In comparison, Ryzen AI Max+ 395 reaches roughly 21,000–23,000 points.
Intel Core Ultra 9 285K lands around the 23,000–24,000 range. Ryzen 9 9950X scores about 23,500 points. In every case, the difference exceeds twenty percent.
Why Threadripper loses to a laptop
Threadripper processors are designed for professional workstations and have thermal envelopes above 300 watts. These systems run in large desktop cases with heavy cooling and are not limited by mobile power constraints. That is why the comparison with a laptop looks unusual.
M5 Max operates inside a MacBook Pro that is less than two centimeters thick and designed to run on battery power. Yet the difference in the multi-core benchmark compared with a 64-core processor is only a few percent. This highlights the efficiency of Apple Silicon architecture at both the core and system level.
Technologies behind these results
One of the key factors is the 3-nanometer TSMC N3P process technology. It allows higher transistor density while reducing power consumption. This makes it possible to deliver high performance without a dramatic increase in heat output.
Another component is unified memory with bandwidth exceeding 500 GB/s. The CPU, GPU, and neural engines work with the same memory pool without additional latency. This architecture reduces performance loss when handling large data workloads.
As a result, the market situation in 2026 looks different from what it was a few years ago. The fastest computer no longer necessarily sits under a desk. It can fit inside a backpack.
Source notebookcheck
More news on Telegram
More interesting articles
Більше новин в телеграмі
