Apple M4 (10 cores) vs Apple M3 Max 16-Core
Aggregate performance score
Apple M3 Max 16-Core outperforms Apple M4 (10 cores) by a moderate 17% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing Apple M3 Max 16-Core and Apple M4 (10 cores) processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in the ranking | 192 | 238 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Market segment | Laptop | Desktop processor |
| Series | Apple M3 | Apple Apple M4 |
| Power efficiency | 31.19 | 52.06 |
| Release date | 30 October 2023 (1 year ago) | 7 May 2024 (less than a year ago) |
Detailed specifications
Apple M3 Max 16-Core and Apple M4 (10 cores) 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 cores | 16 (Hexadeca-Core) | 10 (Deca-Core) |
| Threads | 16 | 10 |
| Base clock speed | 2.748 GHz | no data |
| Boost clock speed | 4.06 GHz | 4.4 GHz |
| L2 cache | no data | 4 MB |
| Chip lithography | 3 nm | 3 nm |
| Number of transistors | 92000 Million | 28 Million |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
Compatibility
Information on Apple M3 Max 16-Core and Apple M4 (10 cores) 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) | 78 Watt | 40 Watt |
Graphics specifications
General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.
| Integrated graphics card | Apple M3 Max 40-Core GPU | Apple M4 10-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.
CrossMark Overall
Geekbench 6.3 Multi-Core
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 25.84 | 22.12 |
| Recency | 30 October 2023 | 7 May 2024 |
| Physical cores | 16 | 10 |
| Threads | 16 | 10 |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 78 Watt | 40 Watt |
Apple M3 Max 16-Core has a 16.8% higher aggregate performance score, and 60% more physical cores and 60% more threads.
Apple M4 (10 cores), on the other hand, has an age advantage of 6 months, and 95% lower power consumption.
The Apple M3 Max 16-Core is our recommended choice as it beats the Apple M4 (10 cores) in performance tests.
Be aware that Apple M3 Max 16-Core is a notebook processor while Apple M4 (10 cores) is a desktop one.
Should you still have questions on choice between Apple M3 Max 16-Core and Apple M4 (10 cores), ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
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