Apple M4 (10-CPU) Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
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Apple M4 (10-CPU) vs Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)

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The Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) is based on the M2 architecture and is manufactured using the 5 nm process. It is designed for professional users who require maximum graphics and computing performance.

Its 38-core GPU and a memory bandwidth of 410 GB/s (good for AI) make it powerful for video editing, 3D rendering, and demanding workloads. The Level-2 cache is 36 MB. The Apple M4 (10-CPU) uses the more advanced M4 architecture and is manufactured using the 3 nm process.

With 10 CPU cores, it offers a balance of performance and energy efficiency for productivity and modern software. Its memory bandwidth is 120 GB/s and the Level-2 cache is 20 MB. In benchmarks, the Apple M4 (10-CPU) shows significantly higher single-core performance. The Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) often delivers higher performance in multi-core scenarios.

For gaming, the Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) is clearly superior due to its 38-core GPU and high memory bandwidth. The M4 (10-CPU) benefits from the more efficient 3 nm manufacturing for lower power consumption and better energy efficiency. The M2 Max (38-GPU) consumes more power under load and is generally higher priced.

The M4 offers good value for money. In summary, the Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) is the choice for users who need the highest graphics and computing capacity for professional media production, 3D design, and AI development. The Apple M4 (10-CPU) is ideal for users who value first-class single-core performance, high energy efficiency, and excellent overall performance for productivity.

Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)

  • Strong graphics performance (38 GPU cores)
  • Very high memory bandwidth (410 GB/s)
  • Robust for professional applications

Apple M4 (10-CPU)

  • Excellent single-core performance
  • High energy efficiency due to 3 nm manufacturing
  • Good value for money

Performance Overview
Average performance across multiple benchmarks

Single-core performance
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M4 (10-CPU)
Rank 2 - 73 %
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
Multi-core performance
Rank 2 - 93 %
Apple M4 (10-CPU)
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
Cinebench 2024 Single-Core

Cinebench 2024 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M4 (10-CPU)
10C / 10T · 4.46 GHz
175 pts
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
121 pts
Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core

Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M4 (10-CPU)
10C / 10T · 4.46 GHz
962 pts
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
1,025 pts
Cinebench R23 Single-Core

Cinebench R23 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M4 (10-CPU)
10C / 10T · 4.46 GHz
2,161 pts
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
1,695 pts
Cinebench R23 Multi-Core

Cinebench R23 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M4 (10-CPU)
10C / 10T · 0.91 GHz
13,682 pts
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
14,855 pts
Geekbench 6 Single-Core

Geekbench 6 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M4 (10-CPU)
10C / 10T · 4.46 GHz
3,810
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
2,689
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core

Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M4 (10-CPU)
10C / 10T · 0.91 GHz
14,934
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
14,207
Geekbench 5, 64bit Single-Core

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

Apple M4 (10-CPU)
10C / 10T · 4.46 GHz
2,491
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
1,874
Geekbench 5, 64bit Multi-Core

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

Apple M4 (10-CPU)
10C / 10T · 0.91 GHz
12,509
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
15,506
iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

Apple M4 (10-CPU)
Apple M4 (10 Core)
4,260
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
Apple M2 Max (38 Core)
13,490
AI performance (NPU)

AI performance (NPU)

Apple M4 (10-CPU)
10C / 10T · 0.91 GHz
38.0 TOPS
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C / 12T · 0.66 GHz
15.8 TOPS

More benchmarks

At a glance

Wischen
Apple M4 (10-CPU)Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
FamilyApple M series (38)Apple M series (38)
CPU groupApple M4 (7)Apple M2 (8)
ArchitectureM4M2
Technology3 nm5 nm
SegmentNotebookNotebook
Socket
PredecessorApple M3Apple M1 Max (32-GPU)
SuccessorApple M5 (10-CPU)

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

Wischen
Apple M4 (10-CPU)Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
CPU Cores / Threads10 / 1012 / 12
Hyperthreading / SMT
Core architecturehybrid (big.LITTLE)hybrid (big.LITTLE)
Core Cluster 1: 4x Donan P-Core
0.91 - 4.46 GHz
8x Avalanche
0.66 - 3.50 GHz
Core Cluster 2: 6x Donan E-Core
0.90 - 2.89 GHz
4x Blizzard
0.60 - 2.42 GHz
L2-Cache20.00 MB36.00 MB
L3-Cache
Overclocking

Integrated graphics (iGPU)

Wischen
Apple M4 (10-CPU)Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
GPU nameApple M4 (10 Core)Apple M2 Max (38 Core)
GPU frequency0.34 - 1.58 GHz0.45 - 1.40 GHz
CUs / Shader160 / 1280608 / 4864
Raytracing
Max. displays35
Max. GPU Memory24 GB96 GB
Technology3 nm5 nm
Release dateQ2/2024Q1/2023

NPU AI performance

Wischen
Apple M4 (10-CPU)Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
AI hardwareApple Neural EngineApple Neural Engine
AI specifications16 Neural cores @ 38 TOPS16 Neural cores @ 15.8 TOPS
NPU + CPU + iGPU

Memory & PCIe

Wischen
Apple M4 (10-CPU)Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
MemoryLPDDR5X-7500 (120.0 GB/s)
LPDDR5-6400 (409.6 GB/s)
Max. Memory32 GB96 GB
Memory channels24
ECCNoNo
PCIe4.04.0 x 32
PCIe Bandwidth63.0 GB/s

Thermal Management

Wischen
Apple M4 (10-CPU)Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
TDP25 W40 W
TDP (PL2)
TDP up
TDP down
T. junction max.100 °C100 °C

Technical details

Wischen
Apple M4 (10-CPU)Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
Chip designMonolithicMonolithic
AES-NI
Operating systemsmacOS, iPadOSmacOS, iPadOS
Instruction setArmv9.2-A (64 bit)Armv8.5-A (64 bit)
ISA extensionsRosetta 2 x86-Emulation, AVX2, SMERosetta 2 x86-Emulation
Release dateQ2/2024Q1/2023
Release price
DocumentsTechnical data sheetTechnical data sheet

Your rating

Here you can rate one or both of the processors. The average rating of Apple M4 (10-CPU) is 4.7 stars (613 ratings), while Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) has received 4.8 stars (89 ratings).

Click on the stars to rate one or both processors.

Apple M4 (10-CPU)
Apple M4 (10-CPU)
10C / 10T · 0.91 - 4.46 GHz
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C / 12T · 0.66 - 3.50 GHz

Most popular CPUs in both categories

Apple M4 (10-CPU)
Apple M4 (10-CPU)
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