Core Ultra 5 135H vs M1 Max

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core Ultra 5 135H vs M1 Max FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core Ultra 5 135H vs M1 Max: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core Ultra 5 135H

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +19.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (22,116 vs 22,146).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 48 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while M1 Max can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

M1 Max

2021

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (48 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with M1 Max GPU, while Core Ultra 5 135H needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 135H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is M1 Max better than Core Ultra 5 135H?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core Ultra 5 135H is ahead with a 19.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, M1 Max pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark. M1 Max also has the bigger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (48 MB vs 18 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, M1 Max is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 10 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (48 MB vs 18 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

M1 Max still makes the most sense overall. M1 Max comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core Ultra 5 135H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2021). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core Ultra 5 135H vs M1 Max Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core Ultra 5 135H

The Core Ultra 5 135H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Meteor Lake-H (2023) architecture. It features 14 cores and 18 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): + 18 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 22,116 points. Launch price was $342.

M1 Max

The M1 Max is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 18 October 2021 (4 years ago). It features 10 cores and 10 threads. Base frequency is 2.06 GHz, with boost up to 3.22 GHz. L3 cache: 48 MB. L2 cache: 28 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 MB + 48 MB. Memory support: LPDDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 22,146 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core Ultra 5 135H packs 14 cores / 18 threads, while the M1 Max offers 10 cores / 10 threads — the Core Ultra 5 135H has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 135H versus 3.22 GHz on the M1 Max — a 35.3% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 135H (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.06 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 135H is built on the Meteor Lake-H (2023) architecture. In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 135H scores 22,116 against the M1 Max's 22,146 — a 0.1% lead for the M1 Max. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 135H vs 48 MB on the M1 Max.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 135H	M1 Max
Cores / Threads	14 / 18+40%	10 / 10
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+43%	3.22 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+75%	2.06 GHz
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	48 MB+167%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	28 MB+1300%
Process	7 nm	5 nm-29%
Architecture	Meteor Lake-H (2023)	—
PassMark	22,116	22,146

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Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 5 135H uses the FCBGA2049 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the M1 Max uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 135H	M1 Max
Socket	FCBGA2049	none
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	—	LPDDR5-6400
Max RAM Capacity	—	64 GB
RAM Channels	—	8
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	0

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core Ultra 5 135H) / ARM-V (M1 Max). The M1 Max includes integrated graphics (M1 Max GPU), while the Core Ultra 5 135H requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: M1 Max targets Mobile Workstation.