Apple M3 vs Core i5-13420H: specs and benchmark comparison
Short verdict
Apple M3 leads in every scenario with comparable benchmarks: multi-thread performance. This does not imply an advantage in tasks without benchmarks.
Compare with AIMulti-thread performance
A +46.3%Apple M3 leads in this scenario (up to 46.3% in comparable benchmarks).
No comparable benchmarks yet: single-thread performance, gaming (cpu-bound scenarios), power efficiency.
Advantages
Only measured and rated values: a noticeable benchmark gap and specs where more is better.
Where Apple M3 is better0
No advantages found in our data.
Where Core i5-13420H is better1
Max memory capacity 72 GB more96 GB vs 24 GB
Benchmarks
Results are compared within one benchmark, one version and the same conditions. Laptop chip results depend on the laptop model: its maker sets the power limit and cooling.
- 0.5% difference, within the threshold
Blender Benchmark 4.5.0
CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom · samples/min, higher is better
Apple M3125.6 samples/minCore i5-13420H125 samples/minPosition among tested models (89)
B · 125A · 1260200400600800Each dot is one model’s median in this benchmark. The scale starts at zero, samples/min. The 0.5% difference is below the noticeable threshold (5%).
About the measurement and source
- A · Apple M3
125.6 samples/min · community measurement, sample 49 · November 14, 2026
Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation)
Median of 49 submissions (0 outliers excluded), interquartile range 111.19–160.43; submissions 2025-07-17 to 2026-03-10; CPU backend. Snapshot 2026-11-14.
- B · Intel Core i5-13420H
125 samples/min · community measurement, sample 46 · November 15, 2026
Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation)
Median of 46 submissions (4 outliers excluded), interquartile range 107.22–140.7; submissions 2025-07-20 to 2026-08-10; CPU backend. Snapshot 2026-11-15.
difference = |A − B| ÷ the smaller value × 100%. The 5% noticeable threshold is a UX heuristic, not statistical significance.
Cycles render in Blender Benchmark. Median of the sum of samples per minute over three scenes after removing outliers.
Other comparable benchmarks (4)
| Benchmark | A | B | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blender Benchmark 4.2.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 133.9 | 123 | A +8.8% |
| Blender Benchmark 4.0.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 168.6 | 115.2 | A +46.3% |
| Blender Benchmark 4.3.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 160.6 | 121.3 | A +32.3% |
| Blender Benchmark 4.4.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 154.9 | 124.9 | A +24% |
Each benchmark version has its own scale: numbers are compared only within a row.
Reference results (9)
| Benchmark | A | B | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blender Benchmark 5.1.1CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 127.6 | 136.7 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.2.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 144.2 | 122.1 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.4.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 160.5 | 151.1 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.6.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 130.2 | 113.7 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 4.1.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 162.9 | 131.3 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.0.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 156.1 | 48.7 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.1.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 154.8 | 102.9 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.2.1CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | — | 153.4 | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 5.3.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | — | 75.4 | no pair |
Each benchmark version has its own scale: numbers are compared only within a row.
Specifications
Chip maker values. The laptop maker sets the power limit and clocks in each laptop.
| Specification | A · Apple M3 | B · Core i5-13420H | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cores and clocks | |||
| CoresCores of different types may differ in performance. | 8 (4P + 4E) | 8 (4P + 4E) | equal |
| Threads | no data | 12 | no data for A |
| Max clock (Boost/Turbo) | no data | 4.6 GHz | no data for A |
| Cache | |||
| L3 cache | no data | 12 MB | no data for A |
| Platform | |||
| Socket | no data | FCBGA1744 | no data for A |
| Process node | 3 nm | Intel 7 | differs |
| Memory and interfaces | |||
| Memory type | Unified memory | DDR4, DDR5, LPDDR4x, LPDDR5/x | differs |
| Memory channels | no data | 2 | no data for A |
| Official memory speedFor controllers that support two generations, the speed for the newer memory type is shown. | no data | 5,200 MT/s | no data for A |
| Max memory capacity | 24 GB | 96 GB | B: 72 GB more |
| PCI Express | no data | PCIe 5.0, 28 lanes | no data for A |
| Integrated graphics | Apple M3 (8 / 10-core GPU) | Intel UHD Graphics (13th gen) | differs |
| Power | |||
| Processor Base Power (Intel) | no data | 45 W | no data for A |
| Maximum Turbo Power (Intel) | no data | 115 W | no data for A |
| Minimum Assured Power (Intel)The lower bound to which the laptop maker can reduce the CPU’s base power. | no data | 35 W | no data for A |
Cores and clocks
Cores
A8 (4P + 4E)
B8 (4P + 4E)
equalCores of different types may differ in performance.
Threads
Ano data
B12
no data for AMax clock (Boost/Turbo)
Ano data
B4.6 GHz
no data for A
Cache
L3 cache
Ano data
B12 MB
no data for A
Platform
Socket
Ano data
BFCBGA1744
no data for AProcess node
A3 nm
BIntel 7
differs
Memory and interfaces
Memory type
AUnified memory
BDDR4, DDR5, LPDDR4x, LPDDR5/x
differsMemory channels
Ano data
B2
no data for AOfficial memory speed
Ano data
B5,200 MT/s
no data for AFor controllers that support two generations, the speed for the newer memory type is shown.
Max memory capacity
A24 GB
B96 GB
B: 72 GB morePCI Express
Ano data
BPCIe 5.0, 28 lanes
no data for AIntegrated graphics
AApple M3 (8 / 10-core GPU)
BIntel UHD Graphics (13th gen)
differs
Power
Processor Base Power (Intel)
Ano data
B45 W
no data for AMaximum Turbo Power (Intel)
Ano data
B115 W
no data for AMinimum Assured Power (Intel)
Ano data
B35 W
no data for AThe lower bound to which the laptop maker can reduce the CPU’s base power.
“More” does not always mean “better”: higher power draw or size is a system requirement, not an advantage (such bars are dimmed).
Compare with AI
An AI model reviews the specs and benchmarks of this pair and gives a plain-language verdict on who each model suits.
Questions and answers
Do these CPUs have integrated graphics?
Apple M3: Apple M3 (8 / 10-core GPU). Intel Core i5-13420H: Intel UHD Graphics (13th gen).
Which is faster: Apple M3 or Intel Core i5-13420H?
Apple M3 leads in every scenario with comparable benchmarks: multi-thread performance. This does not imply an advantage in tasks without benchmarks.
See also
- ModelApple M3
- ModelIntel Core i5-13420H
- ComparisonApple M1 vs Apple M3
- ComparisonApple M2 vs Apple M3
- ComparisonCore i5-12450H vs Core i5-13420H
- ComparisonCore i5-13420H vs Ryzen 5 7535HS
- ComparisonCore i5-13420H vs Core i7-13620H
- ComparisonCore i5-12500H vs Core i5-13420H
- ComparisonCore i5-13420H vs Core i7-12650H
- ComparisonCore i5-13420H vs Ryzen 5 7235HS
Data sources (3)
- Apple — specifications of Apple M3checked November 14, 2026
- Intel — specifications of Intel Core i5-13420Hchecked November 7, 2026
- Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation) — benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.5.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.1.1, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.4.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.6.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.0.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.1.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.3.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.4.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.0.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.1.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.2.1, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.3.0checked November 14, 2026
How we compare: methodology. Where the data comes from: sources.