Intel’s Latest Chips Briefly Outperform Apple M5
▼ Summary
– Two new laptops with Intel’s latest Core Ultra Series 3 chips have outperformed the MacBook Pro with an M5 chip in recent benchmark tests.
– The Intel Core Ultra X9 388H achieved higher scores than the Apple M5 in both the Cinebench 24 multi-core and 3DMark Steel Nomad Light benchmarks.
– This competitive advantage for Intel is expected to be extremely short-lived, as it is already clear from the same tests.
– The current Intel chips are easily surpassed by Apple’s existing M4 Pro chip and will be outclassed by the upcoming M5 Pro and M5 Max processors.
– The anticipated M5 Max chip, expected in new MacBook Pro models soon, is projected to deliver “astounding” performance scores.
Recent benchmark tests reveal that laptops equipped with the newest Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors have momentarily surpassed the performance of Apple’s standard M5 chip in the MacBook Pro. This development highlights the ongoing and intense competition within the mobile computing sector, where even small leads can shift rapidly with new product cycles. The results showcase notable multi-core performance from high-end Intel configurations, though the broader context suggests this advantage may be fleeting.
A series of evaluations conducted on two premium laptops demonstrated the raw power of Intel’s latest offerings. The machines tested included an MSI Prestige 14 Flip powered by an Intel Core Ultra X7 358H processor and a 16-inch Lenovo IdeaPad reference unit featuring the more powerful Core Ultra X9 388H chip. In head-to-head comparisons with a MacBook Pro running the M5 chip, the Intel systems secured victories in two out of three benchmark scenarios.
Specifically, in the Cinebench 24 multi-core test, the Core Ultra X9 388H achieved a score of 1285, significantly outpacing the M5’s result of 922. The performance gap was also evident in the 3DMark Steel Nomad Light graphics test, where the same Intel chip scored 5883 against the M5’s 5077. These figures indicate a clear, though context-dependent, performance lead for Intel in these specific workloads.
However, this moment of triumph for Intel appears destined to be short-lived. The same benchmark data makes it painfully clear that these new Intel chips are already outperformed by Apple’s existing M4 Pro processor. More importantly, the imminent launch of new MacBook Pro models, expected to feature the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, will likely render this Intel lead obsolete. Industry observers anticipate these upcoming Apple silicon variants to deliver what can only be described as astounding performance metrics, based on the historical performance jumps seen between standard and Max-tier Apple chips.
The trajectory of this competition suggests that while Intel has made a commendable stride with its Core Ultra Series 3, the architectural efficiency and performance-per-watt advantages of Apple’s silicon ecosystem present a formidable challenge. For consumers, this rapid back-and-forth underscores the importance of timing and specific use cases when selecting a high-performance laptop, as the performance crown can change hands within a matter of weeks.
(Source: 9to5Mac)
