Apple M5 Max vs Apple M4 (8 Core)

Updated Aug 2026 · Scored by the Let’s Compare Data Engine · How we score

For most buyers the Apple M5 Max is the better pick — it scores 67/100 to the Apple M4 (8 Core)'s 38, leading on Core Specifications and Integrated Graphics. Choose the Apple M4 (8 Core) instead if you want to spend less.

Verdict

Our overall take, at a glance

Apple M5 Max leads overall

Apple M5 Max

Apple M4 (8 Core)

Why it stands out

Benchmark PassMark CPU Mark: 57,655 (178% more)
Core Specifications Cores: 18
Core Specifications Threads: 18

Winner by category for Apple M5 Max vs Apple M4 (8 Core)
Category	Apple M5 Max	Apple M4 (8 Core)	Winner
Core Specifications	46	40	Apple M5 Max
Integrated Graphics	43	36	Apple M5 Max
Benchmark	91	38	Apple M5 Max

In-depth analysisAI

AI-generated from the cited sources — may be incomplete or inaccurate; verify important details before deciding · generated Aug 2026.

Apple M5 Max

The Apple M5 Max is a high-performance system-on-a-chip designed for intensive creative and technical tasks, built on a 3-nanometer process. Utilizing Apple's Fusion Architecture to link two dies, the chip features an 18-core CPU and supports up to a 40-core GPU along with up to 128 GB of unified LPDDR5X memory. It is engineered for demanding professional workstations and notebooks that require maximum computing power and massive memory bandwidth.

Best for Multi-stream ProRes video editing and high-end post-productionBest for On-device AI development and machine learning requiring large unified memory…Best for Heavyweight productivity and creator workloads on the go without sacrificing…

Pros

Exceptional memory bandwidth reaching up to 614 GB/s on the top-tier GPU configuration
Doubled media processing pipelines with two video encode and two ProRes encode/decode engines
Dedicated Neural Accelerator in each GPU core to significantly accelerate local AI tasks
Outstanding energy efficiency that enables top-tier performance alongside excellent battery life
Integrated Thunderbolt 5 controllers directly on the silicon for high-speed external connectivity

Cons

Devices housing this processor demand a significant price premium, making it a major financial investment
Potential limited retail availability at launch

Apple M4 (8 Core)

The Apple M4 is a specialized System-on-a-chip designed by Apple, forming the core processing unit for high-end devices, including modern iMacs and MacBook models. Featuring an advanced architecture that integrates CPU, GPU, and NPU components, it is primarily intended for professionals requiring strong performance in demanding creative and computational tasks.

Best for Professional Content CreationBest for AI/Machine Learning WorkloadsBest for High-Performance Computing (HPC)

Pros

Incorporates an advanced Neural Processing Unit (NPU) with a notable capability to accelerate AI workloads, compared to previous generations of the chip.
Supports hardware acceleration for modern functions like AV1 decoding, mesh shading, and ray tracing within its GPU architecture.
Employs high-speed LPDDR5X unified memory, offering substantial bandwidth to support multiprocessing applications.
The M4 series is built on a highly dense manufacturing process (3 nm), enabling the integration of numerous cores over 28 billion transistors.

Cons

Specific core configurations (CPU/GPU counts) vary greatly across its Pro and Max variants, which requires careful selection for targeted performance needs.
Memory bandwidth capacity is highly dependent on the specific model variant utilized, ranging from lower base limits to exceptionally high capacities.

Value for Money

Which is the better deal for the price

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Apple M5 Max

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Apple M4 (8 Core)

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Performance

Higher benchmark score = faster

Apple M5 Max57,655

Apple M4 (8 Core)20,702

See the raw benchmark values →

Benchmark score — a measured indicator of raw performance, not a guarantee of real-world speed.

Review Videos

Hand-picked expert reviews for each product

Detailed Specifications

The full spec sheet, side by side

Core Specifications

Feature	Apple M5 Max	Apple M4 (8 Core)
Cores	18	8
Threads	18	8
Base Frequency	N/A	N/A
Base Power Consumption	N/A	N/A
Maximum Frequency	N/A	N/A
Maximum Power Consumption	N/A	N/A
L1 Cache	N/A	N/A
L2 Cache	N/A	N/A
L3 Cache	N/A	N/A
Lithography Process	3 nm	3 nm
Is unlocked	No	No

Integrated Graphics

Feature	Apple M5 Max	Apple M4 (8 Core)
Model

Benchmark

Feature	Apple M5 Max	Apple M4 (8 Core)
PassMark CPU Mark	57,655178% more	20,702

Specification Note

Specifications are compiled from official manufacturer data and other reliable internet sources. Some features may vary by region or model configuration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Apple M5 Max vs Apple M4 (8 Core) comparison

Based on our overall comparison score, Apple M5 Max rates higher at 79/100 versus 55/100 for Apple M4 (8 Core) — a 24-point lead. Apple M5 Max is the stronger overall pick, though the right choice still depends on which specs matter most to you; the full spec table above breaks down every difference.

Apple M5 Max and Apple M4 (8 Core) are compared side by side above across every spec in the cpus category — including performance, features and design — each scored 0–100 so you can see exactly where one leads the other. Our overall scores are 79/100 for Apple M5 Max and 55/100 for Apple M4 (8 Core).

If you want the higher-rated cpus option overall, Apple M5 Max (79/100) edges out Apple M4 (8 Core) (55/100). But if Apple M4 (8 Core) is cheaper or stronger on the specific specs you care about, it can still be the better buy — use the spec table and strengths profile above to decide.