Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
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Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) vs Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)

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The Apple M2 Max (30-GPU), based on the M2 architecture, is designed for demanding professional tasks such as video editing and 3D rendering.

Manufactured using a 5 nm process, it integrates a graphics unit with 30 GPU cores. The Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) is the newer generation for the same target group.

It is produced using a more advanced 3 nm process, features 16 CPU cores, and a more robust graphics unit with 40 GPU cores. In terms of performance, the Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) significantly outperforms the Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) in both single-core and multi-core operations, enabling faster execution times for complex applications.

For gaming scenarios, the M4 Max offers clearly improved performance thanks to more GPU cores and a higher memory bandwidth of 546 GB/s (M2 Max: 410 GB/s). Both processors support good AI performance due to their high memory bandwidth. The 3 nm manufacturing process of the Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) ensures higher energy efficiency.

Although market prices are unavailable, the M4 Max, as a newer generation, is generally more expensive. In summary, the Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) offers superior overall performance and efficiency for the most demanding professional workflows and gaming. The Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) remains a very capable option for users with high requirements seeking good value for money.

Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)

  • M2 architecture
  • 5 nm manufacturing process
  • 30 GPU cores
  • 410 GB/s memory bandwidth

Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)

  • M4 architecture
  • 3 nm manufacturing process
  • 16 CPU cores, 40 GPU cores
  • 546 GB/s memory bandwidth

Performance Overview
Average performance across multiple benchmarks

Single-core performance
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
Rank 2 - 71 %
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
Multi-core performance
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
Rank 2 - 53 %
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
Cinebench 2024 Single-Core

Cinebench 2024 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C / 16T · 4.51 GHz
177 pts
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
121 pts
Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core

Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C / 16T · 4.51 GHz
2,072 pts
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
1,025 pts
Cinebench R23 Single-Core

Cinebench R23 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C / 16T · 4.51 GHz
2,217 pts
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
1,695 pts
Cinebench R23 Multi-Core

Cinebench R23 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C / 16T · 1.26 GHz
27,340 pts
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
14,855 pts
Geekbench 6 Single-Core

Geekbench 6 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C / 16T · 4.51 GHz
4,021
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
2,689
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core

Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C / 16T · 1.26 GHz
26,263
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
14,207
iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
Apple M4 Max (40 Core)
17,040
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
Apple M2 Max (30 Core)
10,650
AI performance (NPU)

AI performance (NPU)

Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C / 16T · 1.26 GHz
38.0 TOPS
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
12C / 12T · 0.66 GHz
15.8 TOPS

More benchmarks

At a glance

Wischen
Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
FamilyApple M series (38)Apple M series (38)
CPU groupApple M4 (7)Apple M2 (8)
ArchitectureM4M2
Technology3 nm5 nm
SegmentNotebookNotebook
Socket
PredecessorApple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)Apple M1 Max (24-GPU)
SuccessorApple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU)

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

Wischen
Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
CPU Cores / Threads16 / 1612 / 12
Hyperthreading / SMT
Core architecturehybrid (big.LITTLE)hybrid (big.LITTLE)
Core Cluster 1: 12x Donan P-Core
1.26 - 4.51 GHz
8x Avalanche
0.66 - 3.50 GHz
Core Cluster 2: 4x Donan E-Core
1.02 - 2.59 GHz
4x Blizzard
0.60 - 2.42 GHz
L2-Cache52.00 MB36.00 MB
L3-Cache
Overclocking

Integrated graphics (iGPU)

Wischen
Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
GPU nameApple M4 Max (40 Core)Apple M2 Max (30 Core)
GPU frequency0.39 - 1.58 GHz0.45 - 1.40 GHz
CUs / Shader640 / 5120480 / 3840
Raytracing
Max. displays35
Max. GPU Memory96 GB96 GB
Technology3 nm5 nm
Release dateQ4/2024Q1/2023

NPU AI performance

Wischen
Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)Apple M2 Max (30-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 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
MemoryLPDDR5X-8533 (546.0 GB/s)
LPDDR5-6400 (409.6 GB/s)
Max. Memory128 GB96 GB
Memory channels84
ECCNoNo
PCIe5.04.0 x 32
PCIe Bandwidth63.0 GB/s

Thermal Management

Wischen
Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
TDP90 W45 W
TDP (PL2)
TDP up
TDP down
T. junction max.100 °C100 °C

Technical details

Wischen
Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)Apple M2 Max (30-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 dateQ4/2024Q1/2023
Release price
DocumentsTechnical data sheet

Your rating

Here you can rate one or both of the processors. The average rating of Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) is 4.8 stars (737 ratings), while Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) has received 4.6 stars (56 ratings).

Click on the stars to rate one or both processors.

Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C / 16T · 1.26 - 4.51 GHz
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
12C / 12T · 0.66 - 3.50 GHz

Most popular CPUs in both categories

Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
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