Apple M5 Max vs Intel Core i9 13900F

Updated Aug 2026 · Scored by the Let’s Compare Data Engine · How we score

The Intel Core i9 13900F and Apple M5 Max are closely matched at 76 and 75/100. The Intel Core i9 13900F edges ahead on Core Specifications, while the Apple M5 Max leads on Integrated Graphics and Benchmark — pick the one whose strengths match what you'll actually use.

Verdict

Our overall take, at a glance

Intel Core i9 13900F and Apple M5 Max are closely matched

Intel Core i9 13900F

Apple M5 Max

Where Intel Core i9 13900F stands out

Core Specifications Cores: 24
Core Specifications Threads: 32

Where Apple M5 Max stands out

Core Specifications Lithography Process: 3 nm (57% less)
Benchmark PassMark CPU Mark: 57,655 (20% more)

Winner by category for Apple M5 Max vs Intel Core i9 13900F
Category	Intel Core i9 13900F	Apple M5 Max	Winner
Core Specifications	82	62	Intel Core i9 13900F
Integrated Graphics	0	57	Apple M5 Max
Benchmark	73	84	Apple M5 Max

In-depth analysisAI

AI-generated from the cited sources — may be incomplete or inaccurate; verify important details before deciding · generated Aug 2026.

Apple M5 Max

The Apple M5 Max is a high-performance system-on-a-chip designed for intensive creative and technical tasks, built on a 3-nanometer process. Utilizing Apple's Fusion Architecture to link two dies, the chip features an 18-core CPU and supports up to a 40-core GPU along with up to 128 GB of unified LPDDR5X memory. It is engineered for demanding professional workstations and notebooks that require maximum computing power and massive memory bandwidth.

Best for Multi-stream ProRes video editing and high-end post-productionBest for On-device AI development and machine learning requiring large unified memory…Best for Heavyweight productivity and creator workloads on the go without sacrificing…

Pros

Exceptional memory bandwidth reaching up to 614 GB/s on the top-tier GPU configuration
Doubled media processing pipelines with two video encode and two ProRes encode/decode engines
Dedicated Neural Accelerator in each GPU core to significantly accelerate local AI tasks
Outstanding energy efficiency that enables top-tier performance alongside excellent battery life
Integrated Thunderbolt 5 controllers directly on the silicon for high-speed external connectivity

Cons

Devices housing this processor demand a significant price premium, making it a major financial investment
Potential limited retail availability at launch

Intel Core i9 13900F

The Intel Core i9 13900F is part of the 13th generation Intel Core series of processors, which are grouped under the Raptor Lake microarchitecture [source: 1]. These CPUs are marketed for users seeking high performance across various computing tasks [source: 2].

Best for general productivityBest for high-performance computing

Pros

delivers unrivaled performance with the fastest chip built (referring to 13th Gen) [source: 2]

Value for Money

Which is the better deal for the price

Pre-filled with launch prices where known — enter today's price for an up-to-date check. Use the same currency for both.

Apple M5 Max

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Intel Core i9 13900F

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Performance

Higher benchmark score = faster

Apple M5 Max57,655

Intel Core i9 13900F48,029

See the raw benchmark values →

Benchmark score — a measured indicator of raw performance, not a guarantee of real-world speed.

Review Videos

Hand-picked expert reviews for each product

Detailed Specifications

The full spec sheet, side by side

Core Specifications

Feature	Apple M5 Max	Intel Core i9 13900F
Cores	18	24
Threads	18	32
Base Frequency	N/A	2 GHz
Base Power Consumption	N/A	65 W
Maximum Frequency	N/A	5.6 GHz
Maximum Power Consumption	N/A	219 W
L1 Cache	N/A	2,176 KB
L2 Cache	N/A	32 MB
L3 Cache	N/A	36 MB
Lithography Process	3 nm57% less	7 nm
Is unlocked	No	No

Integrated Graphics

Feature	Apple M5 Max	Intel Core i9 13900F
Model		N/A

Benchmark

Feature	Apple M5 Max	Intel Core i9 13900F
PassMark CPU Mark	57,65520% more	48,029

Specification Note

Specifications are compiled from official manufacturer data and other reliable internet sources. Some features may vary by region or model configuration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Apple M5 Max vs Intel Core i9 13900F comparison

They are closely matched: Apple M5 Max scores 79/100 and Intel Core i9 13900F scores 78/100 in our overall comparison — within 1 point. Neither is a clear winner overall, so the decision comes down to the specific features and price that matter most to you.

Apple M5 Max and Intel Core i9 13900F are compared side by side above across every spec in the cpus category — including performance, features and design — each scored 0–100 so you can see exactly where one leads the other. Our overall scores are 79/100 for Apple M5 Max and 78/100 for Intel Core i9 13900F.

It's close — Apple M5 Max (79/100) and Intel Core i9 13900F (78/100) score almost the same. Pick based on price and the individual specs that matter most to you; the comparison above shows where each one pulls ahead.