They are closely matched: Apple M2 Max GPU scores 38/100 and Apple M5 Max GPU scores 38/100 in our overall comparison — within 1 points. Neither is a clear winner overall, so the decision comes down to the specific features and price that matter most to you.
Apple M2 Max GPU vs Apple M5 Max GPU
Updated Sep 2026 · Scored by the Let’s Compare Data Engine · How we score
The Apple M5 Max GPU and Apple M2 Max GPU are closely matched at 35 and 34/100. The Apple M5 Max GPU edges ahead on Core Specifications and Memory, while the Apple M2 Max GPU leads on Theoretical Performance — pick the one whose strengths match what you'll actually use.
- Apple M5 Max GPU has no published G3D Mark result, so it scores lower.
- Apple M2 Max GPU has no published G3D Mark result, so it scores lower.
Verdict
Our overall take, at a glance
Key takeaways
- Apple M5 Max GPU and Apple M2 Max GPU are closely matched overall (within 1 point).
- Apple M5 Max GPU stands out on Memory Bandwidth: 614 GB/s (54% more), Core Specifications Lithography Process: 3 nm (40% less).
Apple M5 Max GPU and Apple M2 Max GPU are closely matched
Apple M5 Max GPU
35
Apple M2 Max GPU
34
Where Apple M5 Max GPU stands out
- Memory Bandwidth: 614 GB/s (54% more)
- Core Specifications Lithography Process: 3 nm (40% less)
In-depth analysisAI
AI-generated from the cited sources — may be incomplete or inaccurate; verify important details before deciding · generated Sep 2026.
Apple M2 Max GPU
The Apple M2 Max GPU is a high-performance integrated graphics processor built into the M2 Max system-on-a-chip, designed primarily for power-user notebooks and compact desktops. It features up to 38 GPU cores and delivers up to 13.6 TFLOPS of FP32 floating-point performance. Utilizing a unified design, it shares high-speed LPDDR5 system memory directly across the system to handle demanding visual workloads.
Best for On-the-go high-resolution video rendering and color gradingBest for Mobile 3D asset creation and complex visual effects work
Pros
- Delivers high-end graphics performance with up to 38 GPU cores and 4864 arithmetic logic units
- Provides up to 13.6 TFLOPS of single-precision floating-point capability
- Features a dedicated 48 MB last-level cache to streamline data transfer and reduce latency
- Leverages efficient unified memory access to eliminate traditional bottlenecks between CPU and graphics
Cons
- Integrated system-on-a-package design prevents any post-purchase upgrades to GPU cores or memory
- Provides lower performance limits than the desktop-focused M2 Ultra, which doubles the graphics hardware
Apple M5 Max GPU
The Apple M5 Max GPU is an integrated graphics processor designed for professional workstations, featuring either 32 or 40 cores. Built on a 3-nanometer process, it utilizes a unified memory pool of up to 128 GB to deliver high-bandwidth graphics performance for demanding computing tasks.
Best for ProRes video editing and dual-stream hardware-accelerated encodingBest for Local AI model execution and developer programming using Tensor APIs
Pros
- Features a dedicated Neural Accelerator inside each GPU core for enhanced on-device AI processing
- Provides massive memory bandwidth of up to 614 GB/s on the highest-tier configuration
- Includes hardware-accelerated ray tracing and dual media engines for faster video encoding
Cons
- The maximum memory bandwidth of 614 GB/s is restricted to the 40-core variant, with the 32-core version capped at 460 GB/s
Value for Money
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Apple M2 Max GPU
Apple M5 Max GPU
Detailed Specifications
The full spec sheet, side by side
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Apple M2 Max GPU vs Apple M5 Max GPU comparison
Apple M2 Max GPU and Apple M5 Max GPU are compared side by side above across every spec in the gpus category — including performance, features and design — each scored 0–100 so you can see exactly where one leads the other. Our overall scores are 38/100 for Apple M2 Max GPU and 38/100 for Apple M5 Max GPU.
It's close — Apple M2 Max GPU (38/100) and Apple M5 Max GPU (38/100) 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.
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