Apple M2 Max vs Apple M4 Max (16 cores)
Aggregate performance score
Apple M4 Max (16 cores) outperforms Apple M2 Max by an impressive 67% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing Apple M4 Max (16 cores) and Apple M2 Max processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in the ranking | 168 | 389 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Market segment | Laptop | Laptop |
| Series | Apple M4 | Apple M-Series |
| Power efficiency | 29.41 | 20.11 |
| Release date | 30 October 2024 (less than a year ago) | 17 January 2023 (1 year ago) |
Detailed specifications
Apple M4 Max (16 cores) and Apple M2 Max basic parameters such as 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 | 16 (Hexadeca-Core) | 12 (Dodeca-Core) |
| Threads | 16 | 12 |
| Base clock speed | no data | 2.424 GHz |
| Boost clock speed | 4.51 GHz | 3.7 GHz |
| L1 cache | no data | 3.3 MB |
| L2 cache | no data | 36 MB |
| L3 cache | no data | 48 MB |
| Chip lithography | 3 nm | 5 nm |
| Number of transistors | no data | 67000 Million |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
Compatibility
Information on Apple M4 Max (16 cores) and Apple M2 Max 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) | 90 Watt | 79 Watt |
Graphics specifications
General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.
| Integrated graphics card Compare | Apple M4 40-core GPU | Apple M2 Max 38-Core GPU |
Synthetic benchmark performance
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. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.
CrossMark Overall
WebXPRT 4 Overall
Geekbench 6.3 Multi-Core
Geekbench 6.3 Single-Core
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 27.97 | 16.79 |
| Recency | 30 October 2024 | 17 January 2023 |
| Physical cores | 16 | 12 |
| Threads | 16 | 12 |
| Chip lithography | 3 nm | 5 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 90 Watt | 79 Watt |
Apple M4 Max (16 cores) has a 66.6% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 1 year, 33.3% more physical cores and 33.3% more threads, and a 66.7% more advanced lithography process.
Apple M2 Max, on the other hand, has 13.9% lower power consumption.
The Apple M4 Max (16 cores) is our recommended choice as it beats the Apple M2 Max in performance tests.
Should you still have questions on choice between Apple M4 Max (16 cores) and Apple M2 Max, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
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