Intel Core i5-12400F vs Apple M2 Max
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Intel Core i5-12400F | Apple M2 Max | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cores / threads | 6 / 12 | 12 / 12 | — |
| Boost clock (GHz) | 4.4 | 3.7 | — |
| Single-core score | 2,380 | 2,700 | -11.9% |
| Multi-core score | 9,200 | 14,800 | -37.8% |
| TDP (W) | 65 | 40 | — |
- Intel Core i5-12400F is slower than Apple M2 Max by 11.9% in single-core and slower by 37.8% in multi-core.
- Apple M2 Max draws less power (40W vs 65W).
Verdict: i5-12400F or M2 Max?
Intel Core i5-12400F advantages
- Peak clock (+16%)
Apple M2 Max advantages
- Single-core speed (+12%)
- Multi-core speed (+38%)
- Power efficiency (+38%)
Which should you choose?
- Choose the Intel Core i5-12400F if you want the highest peak clocks.
- Choose the Apple M2 Max if you mainly game or want snappy everyday responsiveness.
Intel Core i5-12400F vs Apple M2 Max: which should you choose?
Intel Core i5-12400F — 6-core / 12-thread Intel desktop processor (2022) with a boost clock of 4.4 GHz and 65 W TDP.
Apple M2 Max — 12-core / 12-thread Apple laptop processor (2023) with a boost clock of 3.7 GHz and 40 W TDP.
Intel Core i5-12400F vs Apple M2 Max: Apple M2 Max leads in multi-core performance. Intel Core i5-12400F is slower than Apple M2 Max by 11.9% in single-core and slower by 37.8% in multi-core. Apple M2 Max draws less power (40W vs 65W).
Gaming and single-threaded work
Games and everyday responsiveness lean on single-core speed. The Apple M2 Max leads there with a single-core score of 2,700 versus 2,380, so it is the marginally better pick for high-refresh gaming — though at typical resolutions the GPU usually decides frame rates.
Content creation and multitasking
For rendering, compilation, video export and other all-core workloads, the Apple M2 Max is stronger, posting 14,800 multi-core against 9,200. Its 12 cores and 12 threads give it real headroom for heavy parallel jobs.
Power and platform
The Apple M2 Max is the more efficient chip at 40 W versus 65 W, which means less heat, quieter cooling and lower running costs under sustained load.
The verdict
Both are credible choices in the processor comparison space; the specification table above lays out every metric so you can weigh the trade-offs that matter to you. Pick the one whose strengths line up with how you will actually use it.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Intel Core i5-12400F better than the Apple M2 Max?
Apple M2 Max is the clearly stronger overall choice, winning most of the dimensions that matter. Intel Core i5-12400F is slower than Apple M2 Max by 11.9% in single-core and slower by 37.8% in multi-core.
What is the main difference between the Intel Core i5-12400F and the Apple M2 Max?
Intel Core i5-12400F is slower than Apple M2 Max by 11.9% in single-core and slower by 37.8% in multi-core. Apple M2 Max draws less power (40W vs 65W).
Which should I choose?
Choose the Intel Core i5-12400F if you want the highest peak clocks. Choose the Apple M2 Max if you mainly game or want snappy everyday responsiveness.
Methodology
Each processor is scored on a normalized benchmark index aggregating single-core and multi-core results. Single-core predicts responsiveness and gaming; multi-core predicts throughput in rendering and compilation. We also report cores/threads, boost clock and TDP.