Apple M4 Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
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Apple M4 vs Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)

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The Apple M4 is designed for compact computers as well as the entry-level segment and is manufactured using a 3 nm process.

It features a 10-core architecture and 20 MB of L2 cache. In single-core performance, this processor provides a solid foundation for everyday tasks. For multi-core applications, the Apple M4 shows stable computing power for moderate workloads. The integrated Apple M4 (10-core) graphics unit is primarily optimized for standard applications and light graphics requirements.

With a memory bandwidth of 120 GB/s, the system remains responsive in common scenarios. Energy efficiency is a key feature, which keeps the thermal load low. This model is aimed at users looking for a balance between cost and daily use. The Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU) addresses professional users who need high computing power for complex projects.

Also manufactured in 3 nm, this chip offers 18 CPU cores and 22 MB of L2 cache. In benchmarks, it outperforms the Apple M4 both in single-core performance and significantly in multi-core performance. The Apple M5 Max (40-core) graphics unit enables demanding graphics calculations and smooth gaming scenarios at high settings.

Thanks to a memory bandwidth of 614 GB/s, this processor offers high AI performance for specialized workflows. Despite the high raw performance, efficiency is maintained, although the energy demand under full load is higher than that of the smaller model. The Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU) is ideal for computationally intensive workflows in the professional high-end sector.

Apple M4

  • 3 nm manufacturing process with 10 cores
  • Integrated Apple M4 (10-core) graphics unit
  • Memory bandwidth of 120 GB/s for responsive processes
  • High energy efficiency for low thermal load

Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)

  • 18 CPU cores and 40 GPU cores for maximum load
  • High memory bandwidth of 614 GB/s for AI applications
  • Superior multi-core performance in demanding benchmarks
  • Specialized graphics unit for professional video editing

Performance Overview
Average performance across multiple benchmarks

Single-core performance
Rank 2 - 88 %
Apple M4
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
Multi-core performance
Rank 2 - 41 %
Apple M4
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
Cinebench 2024 Single-Core

Cinebench 2024 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M4
Apple M4 88 %
9C / 9T · 4.46 GHz
175 pts
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
18C / 18T · 4.61 GHz
199 pts
Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core

Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M4
Apple M4 36 %
9C / 9T · 4.46 GHz
860 pts
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
18C / 18T · 4.61 GHz
2,377 pts
Geekbench 6 Single-Core

Geekbench 6 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M4
Apple M4 89 %
9C / 9T · 4.46 GHz
3,767
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
18C / 18T · 4.61 GHz
4,250
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core

Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M4
Apple M4 46 %
9C / 9T · 0.91 GHz
13,295
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
18C / 18T · 0.91 GHz
29,200
iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

Apple M4
Apple M4 21 %
Apple M4 (10 Core)
4,260
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
Apple M5 Max (40 Core)
20,532

More benchmarks

At a glance

Wischen
Apple M4Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
FamilyApple M series (38)Apple M series (38)
CPU groupApple M4 (7)Apple M5 (6)
ArchitectureM4M5
Technology3 nm3 nm
SegmentNotebookNotebook
Socket
PredecessorApple M3Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
SuccessorApple M5

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

Wischen
Apple M4Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
CPU Cores / Threads9 / 918 / 18
Hyperthreading / SMT
Core architecturehybrid (big.LITTLE)hybrid (big.LITTLE)
Core Cluster 1: 3x Donan P-Core
0.91 - 4.46 GHz
6x Super-Core
0.91 - 4.61 GHz
Core Cluster 2: 6x Donan E-Core
0.90 - 2.85 GHz
12x Performance-Core
0.90 - 3.05 GHz
L2-Cache20.00 MB22.00 MB
L3-Cache
Overclocking

Integrated graphics (iGPU)

Wischen
Apple M4Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
GPU nameApple M4 (10 Core)Apple M5 Max (40 Core)
GPU frequency0.34 - 1.58 GHz0.34 - 1.90 GHz
CUs / Shader160 / 1280640 / 5120
Raytracing
Max. displays33
Max. GPU Memory24 GB128 GB
Technology3 nm3 nm
Release dateQ2/2024Q1/2026

NPU AI performance

Wischen
Apple M4Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
AI hardwareApple Neural EngineApple Neural Engine
AI specifications16 Neural cores @ 38 TOPS16 Neural cores @ 60 TOPS
NPU + CPU + iGPU

Memory & PCIe

Wischen
Apple M4Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
MemoryLPDDR5X-7500 (120.0 GB/s)
LPDDR5X-9600 (614.4 GB/s)
Max. Memory8 GB128 GB
Memory channels28
ECCNoNo
PCIe4.05.0 x 8
PCIe Bandwidth31.5 GB/s

Thermal Management

Wischen
Apple M4Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
TDP20 W60 W
TDP (PL2)
TDP up
TDP down15 W
T. junction max.100 °C100 °C

Technical details

Wischen
Apple M4Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
Chip designMonolithicMonolithic
AES-NI
Operating systemsmacOS, iPadOSmacOS, iPadOS
Instruction setArmv9.2-A (64 bit)Armv9.2-A (64 bit)
ISA extensionsRosetta 2 x86-Emulation, AVX2, SMERosetta 2 x86-Emulation, AVX2, SME
Release dateQ2/2024Q1/2026
Release price
DocumentsTechnical data sheet

Your rating

Here you can rate one or both of the processors. The average rating of Apple M4 is 4.2 stars (1070 ratings), while Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU) has received 4.9 stars (130 ratings).

Click on the stars to rate one or both processors.

Apple M4
Apple M4
9C / 9T · 0.91 - 4.46 GHz
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)
18C / 18T · 0.91 - 4.61 GHz

Most popular CPUs in both categories

Apple M4
Apple M4
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