Apple M1 Max vs Intel Core i5-12400

Processor comparisons 21-10-2022

   For example you can't decide which processor to buy, you can make a decision by looking at the Apple M1 Max vs Intel Core i5-12400 tests and understand which is better for games or normal use for video editing, streaming, machine learning, programming, rendering. Here you can find all information from real streaming and video editing tests or many benchmarks. A thorough analysis of all the technical characteristics, to make it easier to read, is summarized in the table.
   From the comparison video, you can get the results of joint testing in special testing software such as GeekBench 6, 5.2, VeraCrypt, RealBench, PCMark 10, DaVinci Resolve Studio, Blender, Furmark, 7zip, 3DMark, World of Tanks enCore Benchmark, PassMark, Dolphin Emulator, WPrime, Gears 5, UserBenchmark, Blender, SuperPi, Handbrake, AIDA64, Prime95, Cinebench 23 (20, 15), MATLAB.
   Gaming performance of CPUs in:

Watch Dogs Legion
World of Warcraft: Shadowlands
Valheim
Fortnite
Borderlands 3
Cyberpunk 2077
Overwatch
Call of Duty: Warzone and Modern Warfare
Apex Legends
DOOM: Eternal
Red Dead Redemption 2
Grand Theft Auto V
Rainbow Six Siege
Halo Infinite
Assassin's Creed Valhalla
Death Stranding
Last Man Standing
Valorant
Fallout 76

After looking at the data these benchmarks and videos, you already be able to understand which processor is better to buy for gaming Intel Core i5-12400 or Apple M1 Max.

Summary benchmark results

As a percentage of the maximum value based on a sample from the entire base of all processors
Processor Benchmark

M1 Max

60%

Core i5-12400

57%

This shows the performance of the processors in single-threaded and multi-threaded mode. In this comparison, M1 Max is 5% better than Core i5-12400. The data source is several popular tests. More detailed information of the benchmarks is below.

Gaming performance
Summary result of all game benchmarks.

M1 Max

57%

Core i5-12400

55%

For the maximum in this test, the results of the most powerful processor in the site database are taken. And of course, this is a server processor, on which no one will run games. Because the cost of this processor reaches several tens of thousands of dollars. Therefore, if you think that the selected CPU has a low game result, just look at the FPS that it produces in real games in the summary table below.
List of other games in which CPU comparisons were performed: Microsoft Flight Simulator, NBA 2K20, Resident Evil 7 Biohazard, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS GO), PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG), Control, Monster Hunter World, DOTA 2A, Ghostrunner, Battlefield V, Hitman 3, League of Legends (LOL), Half-Life: Alyx, Metro Exodus, Horizon Zero Dawn, Forza Horizon 4, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.

Gaming benchmark

Fortnite	101.3	97.5
Valorant	115.1	110.8
Cyberpunk 2077	64.5	62.0
Apex Legends	108.2	104.1
Call of Duty Warzone	86.3	83.1
Overwatch	93.2	89.7
Red Dead Redemption 2	79.4	76.4
DOOM Eternal	57.6	55.4
Warzone	89.8	86.4
Assassin's Creed	96.7	93.0
Valheim	95.5	91.9

The numbers in this table indicate the maximum FPS that was received on the device with the corresponding processor. Depending on the configuration of the computer (RAM size and Video Card) and graphics quality settings (Ultra, Medium, Normal), the results may differ quite significantly. We recommend that you better study the results of the Cinebench, GeekBench and Passmark becnmarks.
The computers that were in the comparisons not only did they have different amounts of RAM and different video cards. But users also tested them at different screen resolutions: FullHD, 2K or 4K. So the game benchmark data is approximate. But all video cards met the average system requirements of games. To be sure exactly how much performance the processor will be in games, if you get acquainted with the benchmarks that are made with the same video card that is installed in your computer.

Power consumption

M1 Max

332%

Core i5-12400

91%

To make a finishing resolution on which processor is better, you should also consider the generation of its core. It is clear that the newer the generation, the better the performance of the processor in games and benchmarks, as well as its energy efficiency. In this case the M1 Max is more energy efficient than the Core i5-12400 as it consumes less power: 18W vs. 65W. Power consumption is especially important for laptops. Also, when choosing a processor cooling system, it will be useful to know its TDP. You need to buy a cooler that has the TDP data specified in the specification was greater than the TDP of the compared processor.

Software benchmarks

For example you plan to use the processor not only for gaming, but also for programming, video rendering or video editing, streaming, machine learning, then the main parameter for you is its performance in multi-threaded mode. In this mode, the processor includes all threads and cores that it has to the maximum to reach maximum performance. You will find out this data from the benchmark tables below. Before using the data from these tests, be sure to make sure that the software that you are going to use on your computer can work in multi-threaded mode. Because there are still many programs that can use only one core to work, and all the advantages of multi-core mode turns out to be unnecessary.

Cinebench 23, 20 an 15
The results of this benchmark show Single-threaded and Multi-threaded CPU performance

	Apple M1 Max	Intel Core i5-12400
Cinbench 15 Single-core	313	337
Cinbench 15 Multi-core	1811	2465
Cinbench 20 Single-core	617	808
Cinbench 20 Multi-core	3106	5598
Cinbench 23 Single-core	2360	1889
Cinbench 23 Multi-core	12204	18452

Passmark
This popular benchmark displays Multi-threaded and Single-threaded processor performance

	Apple M1 Max	Intel Core i5-12400
Single-Core	5344	4427
Multi-Core	34572	25834

GeekBench 6, 5.2
This benchmark shows Multi-threaded and Single-threaded processor performance

	Apple M1 Max	Intel Core i5-12400
Single-Core	1793	1785
Multi-Core	13028	9275

Comparison of specifications

In the specification comparison table, the most helpful will be the release date of the processor and the possibility of overclocking it. The later the processor is released, the longer it will last you. And the easier it will be to upgrade the system later. The same benefits from the presence of overclocking. If the processor can be overclocked, increasing its performance, then it will continue to maintain maximum FPS even in new games. The savings are obvious! It turns out that you do not need to buy a new CPU to enjoy the games any longer.

	Apple M1 Max	Intel Core i5-12400
Announcement date	October 07, 2021	January 07, 2022
Type	Laptop;Desktop	Desktop
Socket	M1	FCBGA1744
Core name	8x Firestorm and 2x Icestorm	Alder Lake
Architecture	hybrid (big.LITTLE)	x86
Generation	1	12
Turbo Frequency		4.4 MHz
Frequency	3.2 MHz	3.3 MHz
Cores	10	6
Threads	10	12
Bus rate		8 GT/s
Bit	64	64
Lithography	5 nm	7 nm
Transistors count	57000 millions	10200 millions
Power consumption (TDP)	18 W	65 W
Memory type	LPDDR5 - Up to 6400MHz	Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s
Max. Memory	64 Gb	128 Gb
Memory Frequency	6400
Memory bandwidth	409 GByte/s	76.8 GB/s
L1 cache	4MB
L2 cache	24MB
L3 cache	48MB	18 MB
Overclocking	No	No
Supports ECC	No	No
Part number	APL1105

In this comparison block, you should pay attention to the differences in clock speed and the number of cores. Here Core i5-12400 is 3% better than M1 Max in terms of CPU frequency. Another difference is that M1 Max has 4 more core than Core i5-12400. Also keep in mind that high CPU frequency affects battery life through power consumption (relevant for laptops).

Result:
The number of parameters for which Apple M1 Max is better: 24
The number of parameters for which Intel Core i5-12400 is better: 13
Although it should be realized that all the figures that you have looked at here do not mean that taking them into account you should completely trust a simple comparison of these figures. Better to watch the video tests and read the reviews of real owners of Apple M1 Max and Intel Core i5-12400 before making a decision which of the processors to buy for gaming.

Apple M1 Max - all data

• Cinebench r15 score
• Cinebench r20 score
• Cinebench r23 score
• GeekBench 6, 5.2 score

• Apple M1 Max specs and review.

Intel Core i5-12400 - all data

• Cinebench r15 score
• Cinebench r20 score
• Cinebench r23 score
• GeekBench 6, 5.2 score

• Intel Core i5-12400 specs and review.