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Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) vs Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU)
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Summary
The Apple M2 Max (38-GPU), based on the 5 nm M2 architecture, targets professional users who need peak performance in MacBooks Pro and Mac Studio.
It offers an internal graphics unit with 38 cores and a maximum memory bandwidth of 410 GB/s, making it ideal for graphics-intensive applications and AI workloads. Although its single-core performance is lower than that of the Apple M4 Pro, it shows significantly higher multi-core performance in Cinebench R23.
It is advantageous for gaming with high GPU requirements. Its energy efficiency is good, but the 5 nm process is less advanced than the 3 nm process of the Apple M4 Pro. Devices with this chip are potentially more affordably priced. The Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU), manufactured using the advanced 3 nm process of the M4 architecture, is designed for demanding users of devices such as the iPad Pro.
It integrates 12 CPU cores and a graphics unit with 16 cores. Its single-core and multi-core performance in Geekbench 6 and Cinebench 2024 are significantly higher than that of the Apple M2 Max, which means a noticeable increase in general applications. In gaming, it benefits from the newer CPU architecture, but has fewer GPU cores than the Apple M2 Max.
The 3 nm manufacturing process enables superior energy efficiency and lower power consumption. Systems with this chip belong to the latest, higher-priced generation of devices.
It offers an internal graphics unit with 38 cores and a maximum memory bandwidth of 410 GB/s, making it ideal for graphics-intensive applications and AI workloads. Although its single-core performance is lower than that of the Apple M4 Pro, it shows significantly higher multi-core performance in Cinebench R23.
It is advantageous for gaming with high GPU requirements. Its energy efficiency is good, but the 5 nm process is less advanced than the 3 nm process of the Apple M4 Pro. Devices with this chip are potentially more affordably priced. The Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU), manufactured using the advanced 3 nm process of the M4 architecture, is designed for demanding users of devices such as the iPad Pro.
It integrates 12 CPU cores and a graphics unit with 16 cores. Its single-core and multi-core performance in Geekbench 6 and Cinebench 2024 are significantly higher than that of the Apple M2 Max, which means a noticeable increase in general applications. In gaming, it benefits from the newer CPU architecture, but has fewer GPU cores than the Apple M2 Max.
The 3 nm manufacturing process enables superior energy efficiency and lower power consumption. Systems with this chip belong to the latest, higher-priced generation of devices.
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
- Very high graphics performance due to 38 GPU cores
- Maximum memory bandwidth of 410 GB/s, advantageous for AI
- Strong multi-core performance in Cinebench R23
- Suitable for professional, graphics-intensive workflows
Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU)
- Significantly higher single-core and multi-core performance in newer benchmarks
- Excellent energy efficiency thanks to 3 nm manufacturing
- State-of-the-art M4 architecture for general computing tasks
- Optimal for users seeking the latest technology and efficiency
Benchmarks
Performance Overview
Average performance across multiple benchmarks
Single-core performance
Multi-core performance
Cinebench 2024 Single-Core
Single-core performance
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
12C / 12T · 4.51 GHz
Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
12C / 12T · 4.51 GHz
Cinebench R23 Single-Core
Single-core performance
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
12C / 12T · 4.51 GHz
Cinebench R23 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
12C / 12T · 3.60 GHz
Geekbench 6 Single-Core
Single-core performance
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
12C / 12T · 4.51 GHz
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
12C / 12T · 3.60 GHz
iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
100 %
Apple M2 Max (38 Core)
Apple M4 Pro (16 Core)
AI performance (NPU)
12C / 12T · 0.66 GHz
12C / 12T · 1.26 GHz
More benchmarks
Cinebench 2026 (ST)
218 entries
218 entries
Cinebench 2026 (MC)
219 entries
219 entries
Cinebench 2024 (SC)
427 entries
427 entries
Cinebench 2024 (MC)
422 entries
422 entries
Cinebench R23 (SC)
690 entries
690 entries
Cinebench R23 (MC)
665 entries
665 entries
Geekbench 6 (SC)
1,989 entries
1,989 entries
Geekbench 6 (MC)
1,927 entries
1,927 entries
Geekbench 5 (SC)
2,512 entries
2,512 entries
Geekbench 5 (MC)
2,483 entries
2,483 entries
FP32 SP (iGPU)
2,219 entries
2,219 entries
PassMark CPU-Mark
2,504 entries
2,504 entries
CPU performance per watt (efficiency)
140 entries
140 entries
AI performance (NPU)
218 entries
218 entries
Specifications
At a glance
|
Wischen
|
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) | Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) |
|---|---|---|
| Family | Apple M series (38) | Apple M series (38) |
| CPU group | Apple M2 (8) | Apple M4 (7) |
| Architecture | M2 | M4 |
| Technology | 5 nm | 3 nm |
| Segment | Notebook | Notebook |
| Socket | ||
| Predecessor | Apple M1 Max (32-GPU) | Apple M3 Pro (11-CPU 14-GPU) |
| Successor | Apple M5 Pro (15-CPU 16-GPU) |
CPU Cores and Base Frequency
|
Wischen
|
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) | Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) |
|---|---|---|
| CPU Cores / Threads | 12 / 12 | 12 / 12 |
| Hyperthreading / SMT | ✗ | ✗ |
| Core architecture | hybrid (big.LITTLE) | hybrid (big.LITTLE) |
| Core Cluster 1: | 8x Avalanche 0.66 - 3.50 GHz |
8x Donan P-Core 1.26 - 4.51 GHz |
| Core Cluster 2: | 4x Blizzard 0.60 - 2.42 GHz |
4x Donan E-Core 1.02 - 2.59 GHz |
| L2-Cache | 36.00 MB | 36.00 MB |
| L3-Cache | ||
| Overclocking | ✗ | ✗ |
Integrated graphics (iGPU)
|
Wischen
|
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) | Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) |
|---|---|---|
| GPU name | Apple M2 Max (38 Core) | Apple M4 Pro (16 Core) |
| GPU frequency | 0.45 - 1.40 GHz | 0.39 - 1.58 GHz |
| CUs / Shader | 608 / 4864 | 256 / 2048 |
| Raytracing | ✗ | ✓ |
| Max. displays | 5 | 3 |
| Max. GPU Memory | 96 GB | 32 GB |
| Technology | 5 nm | 3 nm |
| Release date | Q1/2023 | Q4/2024 |
NPU AI performance
|
Wischen
|
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) | Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) |
|---|---|---|
| AI hardware | Apple Neural Engine | Apple Neural Engine |
| AI specifications | 16 Neural cores @ 15.8 TOPS | 16 Neural cores @ 38 TOPS |
| NPU + CPU + iGPU |
Memory & PCIe
|
Wischen
|
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) | Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) |
|---|---|---|
| Memory | LPDDR5-6400 (409.6 GB/s) | LPDDR5X-8533 (273.0 GB/s) |
| Max. Memory | 96 GB | 64 GB |
| Memory channels | 4 | 4 |
| ECC | No | No |
| PCIe | 4.0 x 32 | 5.0 |
| PCIe Bandwidth | 63.0 GB/s |
Thermal Management
|
Wischen
|
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) | Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 40 W | 45 W |
| TDP (PL2) | ||
| TDP up | ||
| TDP down | ||
| T. junction max. | 100 °C | 100 °C |
Technical details
|
Wischen
|
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) | Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) |
|---|---|---|
| Chip design | Monolithic | Monolithic |
| AES-NI | ✓ | ✓ |
| Operating systems | macOS, iPadOS | macOS, iPadOS |
| Instruction set | Armv8.5-A (64 bit) | Armv9.2-A (64 bit) |
| ISA extensions | Rosetta 2 x86-Emulation | Rosetta 2 x86-Emulation, AVX2, SME |
| Release date | Q1/2023 | Q4/2024 |
| Release price | ||
| Documents | Technical data sheet |
User Reviews
Your rating
Here you can rate one or both of the processors. The average rating of Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) is 4.8 stars (90 ratings), while Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) has received 4.8 stars (370 ratings).
Click on the stars to rate one or both processors.
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