Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) Apple M5
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Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) vs Apple M5

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The Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) is a high-performance processor based on the M4 architecture, designed for professional users and demanding tasks.

The Apple M5, based on the M5 architecture, targets a broader audience and covers a spectrum from everyday to advanced workloads.

Both chips are manufactured using the modern 3nm fabrication process, which ensures high efficiency and transistor density. The Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) features 16 CPU cores and an Apple M4 Max (40 Core) GPU with 40 cores. The Apple M5 is equipped with 10 CPU cores and an Apple M5 (10 Core) GPU with 10 cores.

In single-core performance, both processors are comparable. For multi-core performance, the Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) offers significantly higher performance due to its core count. The maximum memory bandwidth of the Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) is 546 GB/s, which supports very good AI performance of the integrated graphics.

The Apple M5 achieves a memory bandwidth of 154 GB/s. For gaming scenarios, the Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) is clearly superior with its more powerful 40-core GPU and higher memory bandwidth, enabling smoother experiences at higher settings. The Apple M5 is suitable for casual gaming but does not reach this level.

In terms of power consumption, the Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) will require more energy under load, while the Apple M5 is designed for higher energy efficiency in typical applications. The Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) is found in premium devices, which generally makes it more expensive, whereas the Apple M5 is built into mainstream products.

Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)

  • 16 CPU cores, 40 GPU cores for maximum performance.
  • Very high multi-core performance for professional applications.
  • Superior graphics performance and AI capabilities.
  • High memory bandwidth of 546 GB/s.

Apple M5

  • 10 CPU cores, 10 GPU cores for balanced performance.
  • Comparable single-core performance to high-end models.
  • High energy efficiency for daily use.
  • Suitable for mainstream applications and casual gaming.

Performance Overview
Average performance across multiple benchmarks

Single-core performance
Rank 2 - 93 %
Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M5
Multi-core performance
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
Rank 2 - 63 %
Apple M5
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 M5
Apple M5 100 %
9C / 9T · 4.61 GHz
198 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 M5
Apple M5 100 %
9C / 9T · 4.61 GHz
4,133
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 M5
Apple M5 63 %
9C / 9T · 0.91 GHz
16,472
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 M5
Apple M5 30 %
Apple M5 (10 Core)
5,133

More benchmarks

At a glance

Wischen
Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)Apple M5
FamilyApple M series (38)Apple M series (38)
CPU groupApple M4 (7)Apple M5 (6)
ArchitectureM4M5
Technology3 nm3 nm
SegmentNotebookNotebook
Socket
PredecessorApple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)Apple M4
SuccessorApple M5 Max (18-CPU 40-GPU)

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

Wischen
Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)Apple M5
CPU Cores / Threads16 / 169 / 9
Hyperthreading / SMT
Core architecturehybrid (big.LITTLE)hybrid (big.LITTLE)
Core Cluster 1: 12x Donan P-Core
1.26 - 4.51 GHz
3x P-Core
0.91 - 4.61 GHz
Core Cluster 2: 4x Donan E-Core
1.02 - 2.59 GHz
6x E-Core
0.90 - 3.05 GHz
L2-Cache52.00 MB28.00 MB
L3-Cache
Overclocking

Integrated graphics (iGPU)

Wischen
Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)Apple M5
GPU nameApple M4 Max (40 Core)Apple M5 (10 Core)
GPU frequency0.39 - 1.58 GHz0.34 - 1.90 GHz
CUs / Shader640 / 5120160 / 1280
Raytracing
Max. displays33
Max. GPU Memory96 GB24 GB
Technology3 nm3 nm
Release dateQ4/2024Q4/2025

NPU AI performance

Wischen
Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)Apple M5
AI hardwareApple Neural EngineApple Neural Engine
AI specifications16 Neural cores @ 38 TOPS16 Neural cores @ 60 TOPS
NPU + CPU + iGPU

Memory & PCIe

Wischen
Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)Apple M5
MemoryLPDDR5X-8533 (546.0 GB/s)
LPDDR5X-9600 (153.6 GB/s)
Max. Memory128 GB16 GB
Memory channels82
ECCNoNo
PCIe5.04.0
PCIe Bandwidth

Thermal Management

Wischen
Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)Apple M5
TDP90 W17 W
TDP (PL2)
TDP up
TDP down15 W
T. junction max.100 °C100 °C

Technical details

Wischen
Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)Apple M5
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 dateQ4/2024Q4/2025
Release price
Documents

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 M5 has received 4.7 stars (398 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 M5
Apple M5
9C / 9T · 0.91 - 4.61 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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