Apple M4 Max (16 cores) vs Ultra 9 285K
Aggregate performance score
Core Ultra 9 285K outperforms Apple M4 Max (16 cores) by an impressive 55% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing Core Ultra 9 285K and Apple M4 Max (16 cores) processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in the ranking | 50 | 168 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Cost-effectiveness evaluation | 74.59 | no data |
| Market segment | Desktop processor | Laptop |
| Series | no data | Apple M4 |
| Power efficiency | 32.75 | 29.41 |
| Architecture codename | Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) | no data |
| Release date | 24 October 2024 (less than a year ago) | 30 October 2024 (less than a year ago) |
| Launch price (MSRP) | $589 | no data |
Cost-effectiveness evaluation
Performance per price, higher is better.
Detailed specifications
Core Ultra 9 285K and Apple M4 Max (16 cores) 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 | 24 (Tetracosa-Core) | 16 (Hexadeca-Core) |
| Threads | 24 | 16 |
| Base clock speed | 3.7 GHz | no data |
| Boost clock speed | 5.7 GHz | 4.51 GHz |
| Bus rate | 250 MHz | no data |
| L1 cache | 112 KB (per core) | no data |
| L2 cache | 3 MB (per core) | no data |
| L3 cache | 36 MB (shared) | no data |
| Chip lithography | 3 nm | 3 nm |
| Die size | 243 mm2 | no data |
| Number of transistors | 17,800 million | no data |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
| Unlocked multiplier | + | - |
Compatibility
Information on Core Ultra 9 285K and Apple M4 Max (16 cores) 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.
| Number of CPUs in a configuration | 1 | no data |
| Socket | 1851 | no data |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 125 Watt | 90 Watt |
Technologies and extensions
Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core Ultra 9 285K and Apple M4 Max (16 cores). You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.
| AES-NI | + | - |
| AVX | + | - |
| vPro | + | no data |
| Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST) | + | no data |
| TSX | + | - |
Security technologies
Core Ultra 9 285K and Apple M4 Max (16 cores) technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.
| TXT | + | no data |
Virtualization technologies
Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core Ultra 9 285K and Apple M4 Max (16 cores) are enumerated here.
| VT-d | + | no data |
| VT-x | + | no data |
Memory specs
Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core Ultra 9 285K and Apple M4 Max (16 cores). Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
| Supported memory types | DDR5 Depends on motherboard | no data |
Graphics specifications
General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.
| Integrated graphics card | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU | Apple M4 40-core GPU |
Peripherals
Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core Ultra 9 285K and Apple M4 Max (16 cores).
| PCIe version | 5.0 | no data |
| PCI Express lanes | 20 | no data |
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 | 43.26 | 27.97 |
| Physical cores | 24 | 16 |
| Threads | 24 | 16 |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 125 Watt | 90 Watt |
Ultra 9 285K has a 54.7% higher aggregate performance score, and 50% more physical cores and 50% more threads.
Apple M4 Max (16 cores), on the other hand, has 38.9% lower power consumption.
The Core Ultra 9 285K is our recommended choice as it beats the Apple M4 Max (16 cores) in performance tests.
Note that Core Ultra 9 285K is a desktop processor while Apple M4 Max (16 cores) is a notebook one.
Should you still have questions on choice between Core Ultra 9 285K and Apple M4 Max (16 cores), ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
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