Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core
32C CPU · 80C GPU · PassMark #109
Core i5-14600K
Raptor Lake Refresh · 14C · 5.3 GHz · $319
Core i5-14600K takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core lands at 41 and Core i5-14600K at 87. That puts Core i5-14600K ahead by 46 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 Core i5-14600K if…
- ✓Strong gaming performance
- ✓Good productivity for price
- ✓DDR4 and DDR5 compatible
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testValue for money
Core i5-14600KSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Core i5-14600K more score per dollar ($319 vs $3,999).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core | Core i5-14600K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | ▲ 32 (24P + 8E) | 14 (6P+8E) |
| GPU cores | 80 (top config) / 60 (base) | — |
| Neural Engine | 32-core | — |
| Memory bandwidth | 409.6 GB/s | — |
| Unified memory | Up to 512 GB LPDDR5-6400 | — |
| Process | 3 nm (TSMC N3B) | — |
| Transistors | 184 billion | — |
| Class | Desktop (Mac Studio) | — |
| PassMark rank | #109 of 5,901 | — |
| PassMark CPU Mark | 72,912 | — |
| Threads | — | 20 |
| Boost clock | — | 5.3 GHz |
| TDP | — | 125 W |
| Socket | — | LGA1700 |
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
Core i5-14600K
- +Strong gaming performance
- +Good productivity for price
- +DDR4 and DDR5 compatible
- −Last-gen LGA1700 socket
- −Power hungry under load
- −No AI instructions
FAQ: Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core vs Core i5-14600K
Which is better, Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core or Core i5-14600K? +
Core i5-14600K scores 87 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 46. 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 Core i5-14600K worth the price? +
At $319, Core i5-14600K delivers a Specdex score of 87 — strongest in gaming.
Does Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core or Core i5-14600K 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 Core i5-14600K? +
Core i5-14600K — more score per dollar ($319 vs $3,999). Specdex score per dollar at MSRP.