Apple M2 vs Apple M4 8-Core
Aggregate performance score
M4 8-Core outperforms M2 by a substantial 39% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Contents
Primary details
Comparing processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in the ranking | 799 | 1098 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Market segment | Desktop processor | Laptop |
| Series | no data | Apple Apple M-Series |
| Power efficiency | no data | 18.00 |
| Designer | Apple | Apple |
| Release date | 28 October 2024 (1 year ago) | 10 June 2022 (4 years ago) |
Detailed specifications
Basic parameters of M4 8-Core and M2: number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.
| Physical cores | 8 (Octa-Core) | 8 (Octa-Core) |
| Threads | 8 | 8 |
| Base clock speed | no data | 2.424 GHz |
| Boost clock speed | 4 GHz | 3.48 GHz |
| L1 cache | no data | 2 MB |
| L2 cache | 4 MB | 20 MB |
| Chip lithography | 3 nm | 5 nm |
| Number of transistors | no data | 20000 Million |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
Compatibility
Information on M4 8-Core and M2 compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.
| Power consumption (TDP) | no data | 20 Watt |
Memory specs
Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by M4 8-Core and M2. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
| Supported memory types | DDR5 | no data |
Graphics specifications
General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.
| Integrated graphics card | Apple M4 8-core GPU | Apple M2 10-Core GPU ( - 1398 MHz) |
Synthetic benchmarks
Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.
Combined synthetic benchmark score
This is our combined benchmark performance rating.
Passmark
Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance. Other than that, Passmark measures multi-core performance.
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 12.03 | 8.63 |
| Recency | 28 October 2024 | 10 June 2022 |
| Chip lithography | 3 nm | 5 nm |
Apple M4 8-Core has a 39% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 2 years, and a 67% more advanced lithography process.
The Apple M4 8-Core is our recommended choice as it beats the Apple M2 in performance tests.
Note that Apple M4 8-Core is a desktop processor while Apple M2 is a notebook one.
Other comparisons
We've compiled a selection of CPU comparisons, ranging from closely matched processors to other comparisons that may be of interest.
