Apple M5 Pro
14C CPU · 20C GPU · 300 GB/s
Intel Core Ultra 9 395K
Panther Lake · 26C · 6.0 GHz
Apple M5 Pro takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Apple M5 Pro lands at 96 and Intel Core Ultra 9 395K at 93. That puts Apple M5 Pro ahead by 3 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Apple M5 Pro if…
- ✓Creator-tier silicon in a laptop
- ✓Improved memory bandwidth over M4 Pro
- ✓Excellent media engines
Pick Intel Core Ultra 9 395K if…
- ✓Latest generation silicon
- ✓Improved perf-per-watt
- ✓Full modern feature set
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testGaming
Intel Core Ultra 9 395KFrame-rate-bound workloads — favours cache and single-thread speed
Intel Core Ultra 9 395K leads on gaming (94 vs 82).
Creators & productivity
TieRendering, compilation, heavy multitasking — favours core count
Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.
Power efficiency
Apple M5 ProPerformance per watt — thermals, PSU headroom, electricity cost
Apple M5 Pro leads on efficiency (98 vs 86).
Value for money
Intel Core Ultra 9 395KSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Intel Core Ultra 9 395K more score per dollar ($649 vs $2,199).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Apple M5 Pro | Intel Core Ultra 9 395K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 14 (10P+4E) | ▲ 26 (8P+16E+2LP) |
| GPU cores | 20 | — |
| Memory bandwidth | 300 GB/s | — |
| Neural engine | 16-core, 55 TOPS | — |
| Architecture | — | Panther Lake |
| Threads | — | 26 |
| Socket | — | LGA1851 |
| Release year | — | 2025 |
Apple M5 Pro
- +Creator-tier silicon in a laptop
- +Improved memory bandwidth over M4 Pro
- +Excellent media engines
- −Only in MacBook Pro / Mac mini
- −Premium pricing
- −Windows ARM gap persists
Intel Core Ultra 9 395K
- +Latest generation silicon
- +Improved perf-per-watt
- +Full modern feature set
- −Premium pricing
- −Requires up-to-date platform
- −Initial stock scarcity likely
FAQ: Apple M5 Pro vs Intel Core Ultra 9 395K
Which is better, Apple M5 Pro or Intel Core Ultra 9 395K? +
Apple M5 Pro scores 96 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 3. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Apple M5 Pro worth the price? +
At $2,199, Apple M5 Pro delivers a Specdex score of 96 — strongest in single.
Is Intel Core Ultra 9 395K worth the price? +
At $649, Intel Core Ultra 9 395K delivers a Specdex score of 93 — strongest in single.
Does Apple M5 Pro or Intel Core Ultra 9 395K 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 better for gaming, Apple M5 Pro or Intel Core Ultra 9 395K? +
Intel Core Ultra 9 395K — leads on gaming (94 vs 82). Frame-rate-bound workloads — favours cache and single-thread speed.
Which is better for power efficiency, Apple M5 Pro or Intel Core Ultra 9 395K? +
Apple M5 Pro — leads on efficiency (98 vs 86). Performance per watt — thermals, PSU headroom, electricity cost.