Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) Apple M4
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Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) vs Apple M4

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The Apple M2 Max (30-GPU), based on the M2 architecture and manufactured using a 5nm process, is aimed at professional users.

It integrates a 30-core graphics unit, 36 MB of Level-2 cache, and a maximum memory bandwidth of 410 GB/s. The Apple M4, with its newer M4 architecture and more advanced 3nm process, is designed for performance and energy efficiency.

Its graphics unit has 10 cores, 20 MB of Level-2 cache, and a memory bandwidth of 120 GB/s. In single-core performance, the Apple M4 shows significant superiority. However, for multi-core tasks, the Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) delivers noticeably higher overall performance.

For gaming scenarios, the Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) is the more powerful choice, as its 30-core graphics unit and high memory bandwidth of 410 GB/s, which also benefits AI applications, significantly outperform the 10-core graphics of the Apple M4. The Apple M4 benefits from its 3nm process through better energy efficiency; the Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) will consume more power under full load.

Without specific market prices, the price-performance ratio is difficult to assess. The Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) is recommended for maximum graphics and multi-core performance in professional applications. The Apple M4 is the better choice for tasks requiring high single-core performance and energy efficiency.

Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)

  • 5nm manufacturing process
  • 30-core graphics unit
  • 410 GB/s maximum memory bandwidth (good for AI)
  • Strong multi-core performance for professional applications

Apple M4

  • 3nm manufacturing process
  • Superior single-core performance
  • High energy efficiency
  • Suitable for productivity and lighter creative tasks

Performance Overview
Average performance across multiple benchmarks

Single-core performance
Rank 2 - 74 %
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M4
Multi-core performance
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
Rank 2 - 85 %
Apple M4
Cinebench 2024 Single-Core

Cinebench 2024 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
121 pts
Apple M4
Apple M4 100 %
9C / 9T · 4.46 GHz
175 pts
Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core

Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
1,025 pts
Apple M4
Apple M4 84 %
9C / 9T · 4.46 GHz
860 pts
Cinebench R23 Single-Core

Cinebench R23 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
1,695 pts
Apple M4
Apple M4 100 %
9C / 9T · 4.46 GHz
2,125 pts
Cinebench R23 Multi-Core

Cinebench R23 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
14,855 pts
Apple M4
Apple M4 78 %
9C / 9T · 0.91 GHz
11,575 pts
Geekbench 6 Single-Core

Geekbench 6 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
2,689
Apple M4
Apple M4 100 %
9C / 9T · 4.46 GHz
3,767
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core

Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
14,207
Apple M4
Apple M4 94 %
9C / 9T · 0.91 GHz
13,295
Geekbench 5, 64bit Single-Core

Geekbench 5, 64bit Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
1,874
Apple M4
Apple M4 100 %
9C / 9T · 4.46 GHz
2,491
iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
Apple M2 Max (30 Core)
10,650
Apple M4
Apple M4 40 %
Apple M4 (10 Core)
4,260
AI performance (NPU)

AI performance (NPU)

Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
12C / 12T · 0.66 GHz
15.8 TOPS
Apple M4
Apple M4 100 %
9C / 9T · 0.91 GHz
38.0 TOPS

More benchmarks

At a glance

Wischen
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)Apple M4
FamilyApple M series (38)Apple M series (38)
CPU groupApple M2 (8)Apple M4 (7)
ArchitectureM2M4
Technology5 nm3 nm
SegmentNotebookNotebook
Socket
PredecessorApple M1 Max (24-GPU)Apple M3
SuccessorApple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU)Apple M5

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

Wischen
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)Apple M4
CPU Cores / Threads12 / 129 / 9
Hyperthreading / SMT
Core architecturehybrid (big.LITTLE)hybrid (big.LITTLE)
Core Cluster 1: 8x Avalanche
0.66 - 3.50 GHz
3x Donan P-Core
0.91 - 4.46 GHz
Core Cluster 2: 4x Blizzard
0.60 - 2.42 GHz
6x Donan E-Core
0.90 - 2.85 GHz
L2-Cache36.00 MB20.00 MB
L3-Cache
Overclocking

Integrated graphics (iGPU)

Wischen
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)Apple M4
GPU nameApple M2 Max (30 Core)Apple M4 (10 Core)
GPU frequency0.45 - 1.40 GHz0.34 - 1.58 GHz
CUs / Shader480 / 3840160 / 1280
Raytracing
Max. displays53
Max. GPU Memory96 GB24 GB
Technology5 nm3 nm
Release dateQ1/2023Q2/2024

NPU AI performance

Wischen
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)Apple M4
AI hardwareApple Neural EngineApple Neural Engine
AI specifications16 Neural cores @ 15.8 TOPS16 Neural cores @ 38 TOPS
NPU + CPU + iGPU

Memory & PCIe

Wischen
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)Apple M4
MemoryLPDDR5-6400 (409.6 GB/s)
LPDDR5X-7500 (120.0 GB/s)
Max. Memory96 GB8 GB
Memory channels42
ECCNoNo
PCIe4.0 x 324.0
PCIe Bandwidth63.0 GB/s

Thermal Management

Wischen
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)Apple M4
TDP45 W20 W
TDP (PL2)
TDP up
TDP down15 W
T. junction max.100 °C100 °C

Technical details

Wischen
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)Apple M4
Chip designMonolithicMonolithic
AES-NI
Operating systemsmacOS, iPadOSmacOS, iPadOS
Instruction setArmv8.5-A (64 bit)Armv9.2-A (64 bit)
ISA extensionsRosetta 2 x86-EmulationRosetta 2 x86-Emulation, AVX2, SME
Release dateQ1/2023Q2/2024
Release price
DocumentsTechnical data sheetTechnical data sheet

Your rating

Here you can rate one or both of the processors. The average rating of Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) is 4.6 stars (57 ratings), while Apple M4 has received 4.2 stars (1059 ratings).

Click on the stars to rate one or both processors.

Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
12C / 12T · 0.66 - 3.50 GHz
Apple M4
Apple M4
9C / 9T · 0.91 - 4.46 GHz

Most popular CPUs in both categories

Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
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