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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core Ultra 5 135H

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +19.0% higher average FPS across 49 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 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Core Ultra 5 135H

2023

M1 Max

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +19.0% higher average FPS across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.

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

❌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.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 135H across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

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

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Core Ultra 5 135H is ahead with a 19.0% average FPS lead across 49 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 better fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 10 threads. It also carries 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 looks like the safer overall buy. M1 Max is at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you 0.1% better PassMark.

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

Core Ultra 5 135H is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2021). That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core Ultra 5 135H Benchmark Check

M1 Max Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core Ultra 5 135H	M1 Max
1080p
low	193 FPS	183 FPS
medium	154 FPS	146 FPS
high	126 FPS	117 FPS
ultra	102 FPS	93 FPS
1440p
low	156 FPS	152 FPS
medium	122 FPS	118 FPS
high	98 FPS	91 FPS
ultra	81 FPS	73 FPS
4K
low	86 FPS	71 FPS
medium	73 FPS	59 FPS
high	59 FPS	46 FPS
ultra	45 FPS	37 FPS

Open Core Ultra 5 135H Open M1 Max

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core Ultra 5 135H	M1 Max
1080p
low	553 FPS	236 FPS
medium	521 FPS	211 FPS
high	422 FPS	172 FPS
ultra	378 FPS	137 FPS
1440p
low	549 FPS	200 FPS
medium	457 FPS	182 FPS
high	379 FPS	153 FPS
ultra	324 FPS	117 FPS
4K
low	337 FPS	122 FPS
medium	283 FPS	113 FPS
high	258 FPS	99 FPS
ultra	226 FPS	81 FPS

Open Core Ultra 5 135H Open M1 Max

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core Ultra 5 135H	M1 Max
1080p
low	553 FPS	554 FPS
medium	553 FPS	554 FPS
high	553 FPS	554 FPS
ultra	553 FPS	510 FPS
1440p
low	553 FPS	554 FPS
medium	553 FPS	473 FPS
high	553 FPS	415 FPS
ultra	494 FPS	364 FPS
4K
low	548 FPS	417 FPS
medium	441 FPS	323 FPS
high	400 FPS	274 FPS
ultra	321 FPS	221 FPS

Open Core Ultra 5 135H Open M1 Max

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core Ultra 5 135H	M1 Max
1080p
low	553 FPS	554 FPS
medium	553 FPS	554 FPS
high	553 FPS	554 FPS
ultra	553 FPS	554 FPS
1440p
low	553 FPS	554 FPS
medium	553 FPS	554 FPS
high	553 FPS	532 FPS
ultra	553 FPS	453 FPS
4K
low	553 FPS	509 FPS
medium	524 FPS	451 FPS
high	473 FPS	394 FPS
ultra	413 FPS	341 FPS

Open Core Ultra 5 135H Open M1 Max

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core Ultra 5 135H and M1 Max

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.