FPSVersusApple M5 Max 18-core vs Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus
Performance score
Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is 8% faster than Apple M5 Max 18-core by our estimate.
The score is our own estimate from the specs (cores, threads, clocks, architecture generation), not a benchmark run. 100 = the fastest CPU in our database.
Real tests
What the test measures
Blender is a popular free 3D graphics program. The test makes the device render three ready-made 3D scenes (light, shadows, reflections) and counts how many render passes it finishes per minute. The higher the number, the faster the device handles heavy work: 3D, video editing, photo processing. On a CPU the test loads all cores at once, so it shows the chip's full power; on a graphics card it shows its compute strength.
Median of real test runs on users' computers. It does not show FPS in games. Data updated: 31.10.2026.
Overview
| Apple M5 Max 18-core | Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Score (0–100) | 66.96 | 72.57 |
| Ranking position | 23 | 14 |
| Type | Laptop | Laptop |
| Manufacturer | Apple | Intel |
| Architecture | Apple M5 Pro / Max (super + performance cores) | Arrow Lake |
| Release date | Q1 2026 | Q2 2026 |
Specifications
| Apple M5 Max 18-core | Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 18 | 24 |
| Threads | 18 | 24 |
| P + E cores | 6 + 12 | 8 + 16 |
| Boost clock | 4.61 GHz | 5.5 GHz |
| L3 cache | no data | 36 MB |
| Unlocked multiplier | no | no |
| Integrated graphics | no | no |
| NPU (AI accelerator) | no | no |
Pros and cons
Apple M5 Max 18-core
- 15% faster single core
Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus
- 8% higher overall score
- more cores: 24 vs 18
- more threads: 24 vs 18
Other comparisons
- Apple M5Max 18-core vs Apple M5Pro 18-core
- Apple M5Max 18-core vs Snapdragon X2 EliteX2E-88-100
- Apple M5Max 18-core vs Core i913980HX
- Apple M5Max 18-core vs Core Ultra 9275HX
- Core Ultra 9 290HXPlus vs Core Ultra 9285HX
- Core Ultra 9 290HXPlus vs Ryzen 97900X
- Core Ultra 9 290HXPlus vs Core i714700K
- Core Ultra 9 290HXPlus vs Snapdragon X2 EliteX2E-90-100
Preliminary data: specs are still being checked against the manufacturer's website.
Visitor rating
Questions and comments
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