Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core
32C CPU · 80C GPU · PassMark #109
Apple M5
10C CPU · 10C GPU · Next-gen NPU
Apple M5 takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core lands at 41 and Apple M5 at 94. That puts Apple M5 ahead by 53 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core if…
- ✓PassMark #109 of 5,901 — capable workhorse
- ✓Best-in-class perf-per-watt on macOS
Pick Apple M5 if…
- ✓Perf-per-watt improved ~18% vs M4
- ✓Enhanced ray tracing
- ✓16-core Neural Engine v5 (50 TOPS)
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testValue for money
Apple M5Specdex score per dollar at MSRP
Apple M5 more score per dollar ($1,299 vs $3,999).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core | Apple M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | ▲ 32 (24P + 8E) | 10 (4P+6E) |
| GPU cores | 80 (top config) / 60 (base) | — |
| Neural Engine | 32-core | — |
| Memory bandwidth | ▲ 409.6 GB/s | 150 GB/s |
| Unified memory | Up to 512 GB LPDDR5-6400 | — |
| Process | 3 nm (TSMC N3B) | TSMC N3P |
| Transistors | 184 billion | — |
| Class | Desktop (Mac Studio) | — |
| PassMark rank | #109 of 5,901 | — |
| PassMark CPU Mark | 72,912 | — |
| Neural engine | — | 16-core, 50 TOPS |
Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core
- +PassMark #109 of 5,901 — capable workhorse
- +Best-in-class perf-per-watt on macOS
- −Only available inside Apple devices — no DIY upgrade path
Apple M5
- +Perf-per-watt improved ~18% vs M4
- +Enhanced ray tracing
- +16-core Neural Engine v5 (50 TOPS)
- −Apple-ecosystem only
- −Limited to first-party products
- −No Windows gaming story
FAQ: Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core vs Apple M5
Which is better, Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core or Apple M5? +
Apple M5 scores 94 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 53. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core worth the price? +
At $3,999, Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core delivers a Specdex score of 41 — strongest in passmark.
Is Apple M5 worth the price? +
At $1,299, Apple M5 delivers a Specdex score of 94 — strongest in single.
Does Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core or Apple M5 last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is the better value, Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core or Apple M5? +
Apple M5 — more score per dollar ($1,299 vs $3,999). Specdex score per dollar at MSRP.