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Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) vs Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)

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CPU comparison with benchmarks


Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) CPU1 vs CPU2 Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)

CPU comparison

Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) or Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) - which processor is faster? In this comparison we look at the differences and analyze which of these two CPUs is better. We compare the technical data and benchmark results.

The Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) has 12 cores with 12 threads and clocks with a maximum frequency of 4.50 GHz. Up to 64 GB of memory is supported in 4 memory channels. The Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) was released in Q4/2024.

The Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) has 12 cores with 12 threads and clocks with a maximum frequency of 3.50 GHz. The CPU supports up to 96 GB of memory in 4 memory channels. The Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) was released in Q1/2023.
Apple M series (30) Family Apple M series (30)
Apple M4 (7) CPU group Apple M2 (8)
4 Generation 2
M4 Architecture M2
Notebook Segment Notebook
Apple M3 Pro (11-CPU 14-GPU) Predecessor Apple M1 Max (32-GPU)
-- Successor --

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) is a 12 core processor with a clock frequency of 0.70 GHz (4.50 GHz). The Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) has 12 CPU cores with a clock frequency of 0.66 GHz (3.50 GHz).
Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) Characteristic Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12 Cores 12
12 Threads 12
hybrid (big.LITTLE) Core architecture hybrid (big.LITTLE)
No Hyperthreading No
No Overclocking ? No
0.70 GHz (4.50 GHz)
8x Donan P-Core		 A-Core 0.66 GHz (3.50 GHz)
8x Avalanche
0.74 GHz (2.85 GHz)
4x Donan E-Core		 B-Core 0.60 GHz (2.42 GHz)
4x Blizzard

NPU AI performance

The performance values of the processor's AI unit. The isolated NPU performance is specified here, the total AI performance (NPU+CPU+iGPU) can be higher. Processors with support for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can process many calculations, especially audio, image and video processing, much faster than classic processors.
Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) Characteristic Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
Apple Neural Engine AI hardware Apple Neural Engine
16 Neural cores @ 38 TOPS AI specifications 16 Neural cores @ 15.8 TOPS
-- NPU + CPU + iGPU --

Integrated graphics (iGPU)

The integrated graphics unit of a processor is not only responsible for the pure image output on the system, but can also significantly increase the efficiency of the system with the support of modern video codecs.
Apple M4 Pro (16 Core) GPU Apple M2 Max (38 Core)
0.39 GHz GPU frequency 0.45 GHz
1.68 GHz GPU (Turbo) 1.40 GHz
-- GPU Generation 2
3 nm Technology 5 nm
2 Max. displays 5
256 Compute units 608
2048 Shader 4864
Yes Hardware Raytracing No
No Frame Generation No
32 GB Max. GPU Memory 96 GB
-- DirectX Version --

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
Apple M4 Pro (16 Core) GPU Apple M2 Max (38 Core)
Decode / Encode Codec h265 / HEVC (8 bit) Decode / Encode
Decode / Encode Codec h265 / HEVC (10 bit) Decode / Encode
Decode / Encode Codec h264 Decode / Encode
Decode / Encode Codec VP9 Decode / Encode
Decode Codec VP8 Decode
Decode Codec AV1 No
Decode Codec AVC Decode
Decode Codec VC-1 Decode
Decode / Encode Codec JPEG Decode / Encode

Memory & PCIe

The Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) supports a maximum of 64 GB of memory in 4 memory channels. The Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) can connect up to 96 GB of memory in 4 memory channels.
Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) Characteristic Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
LPDDR5X-8533 Memory LPDDR5-6400
64 GB Max. Memory 96 GB
4 (Quad Channel) Memory channels 4 (Quad Channel)
273.0 GB/s Max. Bandwidth 409.6 GB/s
No ECC No
36.00 MB L2 Cache 36.00 MB
-- L3 Cache --
4.0 PCIe version 4.0
-- PCIe lanes 32
-- PCIe Bandwidth 63.0 GB/s

Thermal Management

The TDP (Thermal Design Power) of a processor specifies the required cooling solution. The Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) has a TDP of 35 W, that of the Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) is 40 W.
Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) Characteristic Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
35 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 40 W
40 W TDP (PL2) --
-- TDP up --
-- TDP down --
100 °C Tjunction max. 100 °C

Technical details

The Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) has a 36.00 MB cache, while the Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) cache has a total of 36.00 MB.
Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) Characteristic Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
3 nm Technology 5 nm
Chiplet Chip design Chiplet
Armv9-A (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) Armv8.5-A (64 bit)
Rosetta 2 x86-Emulation, AVX2, SME ISA extensions Rosetta 2 x86-Emulation
-- Socket --
Apple Virtualization Framework Virtualization Apple Virtualization Framework
Yes AES-NI Yes
macOS, iPadOS Operating systems macOS, iPadOS
Q4/2024 Release date Q1/2023
-- Release price --
show more data show more data


Rate these processors

Here you can rate the Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) to help other visitors make their purchasing decisions. The average rating is 4.9 stars (203 ratings). Rate now:
Here you can rate the Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) to help other visitors make their purchasing decisions. The average rating is 4.8 stars (71 ratings). Rate now:

Average performance in benchmarks

⌀ Single core performance in 4 CPU benchmarks
Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) (100%)
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) (72%)
⌀ Multi core performance in 4 CPU benchmarks
Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) (100%)
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) (71%)

Cinebench 2024 (Single-Core)

The Cinebench 2024 benchmark is based on the Redshift rendering engine, which is also used in Maxon's 3D program Cinema 4D. The benchmark runs are each 10 minutes long to test whether the processor is limited by its heat generation.
Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU)
12C 12T @ 4.50 GHz
176 (100%)
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz
121 (69%)

Cinebench 2024 (Multi-Core)

The Multi-Core test of the Cinebench 2024 benchmark uses all cpu cores to render using the Redshift rendering engine, which is also used in Maxons Cinema 4D. The benchmark run is 10 minutes long to test whether the processor is limited by its heat generation.
Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU)
12C 12T @ 4.50 GHz
1630 (100%)
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz
1025 (63%)

Cinebench R23 (Single-Core)

Cinebench R23 is the successor of Cinebench R20 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The single-core test only uses one CPU core, the amount of cores or hyperthreading ability doesn't count.
Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU)
12C 12T @ 4.50 GHz
2288 (100%)
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz
1695 (74%)

Cinebench R23 (Multi-Core)

Cinebench R23 is the successor of Cinebench R20 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The multi-core test involves all CPU cores and taks a big advantage of hyperthreading.
Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU)
12C 12T @ 0.70 GHz
21929 (100%)
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz
14855 (68%)

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Geekbench 6 is a partial load benchmark for modern computers, notebooks and smartphones. In the single-core test, only the fastest CPU core is measured. The test run simulates the performance in practice.
Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU)
12C 12T @ 4.50 GHz
3940 (100%)
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz
2689 (68%)

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

The practical Geekbench 6 multi-core benchmark tests the system's performance under partial load. The processor's maximum power consumption is far from being used up.
Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU)
12C 12T @ 0.70 GHz
20124 (100%)
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz
14207 (71%)

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

Geekbench 5 is a cross plattform benchmark that heavily uses the systems memory. A fast memory will push the result a lot. The single-core test only uses one CPU core, the amount of cores or hyperthreading ability doesn't count.
Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU)
12C 12T @ 4.50 GHz
2491 (100%)
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz
1874 (75%)

iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

The theoretical computing performance of the internal graphics unit of the processor with simple accuracy (32 bit) in GFLOPS. GFLOPS indicates how many billion floating point operations the iGPU can perform per second.
Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU)
Apple M4 Pro (16 Core) @ 1.68 GHz
6816 (51%)
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
Apple M2 Max (38 Core) @ 1.40 GHz
13490 (100%)

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

Some of the CPUs listed below have been benchmarked by CPU-monkey. However the majority of CPUs have not been tested and the results have been estimated by a CPU-monkey’s secret proprietary formula. As such they do not accurately reflect the actual Passmark CPU mark values and are not endorsed by PassMark Software Pty Ltd.
Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU)
12C 12T @ 0.70 GHz
32671 (100%)
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz
26310 (81%)

CPU performance per watt (efficiency)

Efficiency of the processor under full load in the Cinebench R23 (multi-core) benchmark. The benchmark result is divided by the average energy required (CPU package power in watts). The higher the value, the more efficient the CPU is under full load.
Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU)
21,929 CB R23 MC @ 40 W
548 (100%)
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
14,855 CB R23 MC @ 40 W
371 (68%)

AI performance (NPU)

The performance values of the processor's AI unit. The isolated NPU performance is given here, the total AI performance (NPU+CPU+iGPU) can be higher.

Processors with the support of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can process many calculations, especially audio, image and video processing, much faster than classic processors. The performance is given in the number (trillions) of arithmetic operations per second (TOPS).
Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU)
12C 12T @ 0.70 GHz
38 (100%)
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C 12T @ 0.66 GHz
15.8 (42%)

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Geekbench 5 is a cross plattform benchmark that heavily uses the systems memory. A fast memory will push the result a lot. The multi-core test involves all CPU cores and taks a big advantage of hyperthreading.
Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU)
12C 12T @ 0.70 GHz
0 (0%)
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz
15506 (100%)

Devices using this processor
Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
Unknown Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023)

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