Apple M2 Max vs Apple M1 Pro 8-Core

VS

Aggregate performance score

Apple M1 Pro 8-Core
2021
8 cores / 8 threads
10.83
Apple M2 Max
2023
12 cores / 12 threads, 79 Watt
16.81
+55.2%

Apple M2 Max outperforms Apple M1 Pro 8-Core by an impressive 55% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing M1 Pro 8-Core and M2 Max processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking722393
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Market segmentLaptopLaptop
SeriesApple M-SeriesApple M-Series
Power efficiencyno data20.14
Release date18 October 2021 (3 years ago)17 January 2023 (1 year ago)

Detailed specifications

M1 Pro 8-Core and M2 Max basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores8 (Octa-Core)12 (Dodeca-Core)
Threads812
Base clock speed2.06 GHz2.424 GHz
Boost clock speed3.22 GHz3.7 GHz
L1 cache2.3 MB3.3 MB
L2 cache28 MB36 MB
L3 cache16 MB48 MB
Chip lithography5 nm5 nm
Number of transistors33700 Million67000 Million
64 bit support++

Compatibility

Information on M1 Pro 8-Core and M2 Max compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Power consumption (TDP)no data79 Watt

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card
Compare
Apple M1 Pro 14-Core GPU ( - 1296 MHz)Apple M2 Max 38-Core GPU

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

Apple M1 Pro 8-Core 10.83
Apple M2 Max 16.81
+55.2%

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

Apple M1 Pro 8-Core 17201
Apple M2 Max 26694
+55.2%

Cinebench 15 64-bit multi-core

Cinebench Release 15 Multi Core is a variant of Cinebench R15 which uses all the processor threads.

Apple M1 Pro 8-Core 1320
Apple M2 Max 2084
+57.9%

Cinebench 15 64-bit single-core

Cinebench R15 (standing for Release 15) is a benchmark made by Maxon, authors of Cinema 4D. It was superseded by later versions of Cinebench, which use more modern variants of Cinema 4D engine. The Single Core version (sometimes called Single-Thread) only uses a single processor thread to render a room full of reflective spheres and light sources.

Apple M1 Pro 8-Core 210
Apple M2 Max 236
+12.4%

Geekbench 5.5 Multi-Core

Apple M1 Pro 8-Core 9942
Apple M2 Max 15373
+54.6%

WebXPRT 3

Apple M1 Pro 8-Core 343
Apple M2 Max 405
+17.9%

CrossMark Overall

Apple M1 Pro 8-Core 1490
Apple M2 Max 1835
+23.1%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 10.83 16.81
Recency 18 October 2021 17 January 2023
Physical cores 8 12
Threads 8 12

Apple M2 Max has a 55.2% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 1 year, and 50% more physical cores and 50% more threads.

The M2 Max is our recommended choice as it beats the M1 Pro 8-Core in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Apple M1 Pro 8-Core and Apple M2 Max, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Apple M1 Pro 8-Core
M1 Pro 8-Core
Apple M2 Max
M2 Max

Similar processor comparisons

We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.

Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


3.8 104 votes

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3 236 votes

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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about M1 Pro 8-Core or M2 Max, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.