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Apple - M4 Max (16-core) vs Intel - Core Ultra 9 285K

Last updated · How Mars Score works
M4 Max (16-core)APPLERENDER
Probe A
Apple
M4 Max (16-core)
50.7/ 100D
Cores48· 40%
Benchmarks54· 40%
Platform—· 20%
Core Ultra 9 285KINTELRENDER
Probe B
Intel
Core Ultra 9 285K
60.9/ 100C
Cores57· 40%
Benchmarks65· 40%
Platform—· 20%
Quick verdict

Between the M4 Max (16-core) and Core Ultra 9 285K, the M4 Max (16-core) comes out ahead in tdp, while the Core Ultra 9 285K wins on cores and cinebench r23 (multi). Overall, the M4 Max (16-core) scores 50.7 and the Core Ultra 9 285K scores 60.9 on our Mars Score.

Buying advice

Which should you buy?

The Core Ultra 9 285K is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 10.2 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.

Pick the M4 Max (16-core) if you care most about tdp. The biggest gaps in its favor are tdp.

Pick the Core Ultra 9 285K if you push the hardware — gaming, on-device AI, heavy multitasking — and the extra compute headroom is worth the trade-offs. Its strongest claims are cores, cinebench r23 (multi), l3 cache, among others.

There are no meaningful ties on the headline specs — every popular-comparison metric has a winner.

Bottom line: the Core Ultra 9 285K is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.

Why Apple - M4 Max (16-core) wins

  • ▲TDP — 80.00 W less. 45 vs 125.

Why Intel - Core Ultra 9 285K wins

  • ▲Cores — 71.43% more. 24 vs 14.
  • ▲Cinebench R23 (multi) — 61.51% more. 42800 vs 26500.
  • ▲L3 cache — 28.57% more. 36 MB vs 28 MB.
  • ▲Boost clock — 26.67% more. 5.7 GHz vs 4.5 GHz.
Full readout

Spec comparison

Cores

SpecApple - M4 Max (16-core)Intel - Core Ultra 9 285K
Coresⓘ1424lead
Threadsⓘ1424lead
Base clockⓘ0 GHz3.7 GHzlead
Boost clockⓘ4.5 GHz5.7 GHzlead
L3 cacheⓘ28 MB36 MBlead

Platform

SpecApple - M4 Max (16-core)Intel - Core Ultra 9 285K
SocketⓘSolderedLGA1851
TDPⓘ45 Wlead125 W
Integrated graphicsⓘtruetrue
DDR5ⓘtruetrue

Benchmarks

SpecApple - M4 Max (16-core)Intel - Core Ultra 9 285K
Cinebench R23 (multi)ⓘ2650042800lead
Cinebench R23 (single)ⓘ2275lead2230
Drill down

Spec-level deep dives

Cores→Threads→Base clock→Boost clock→L3 cache→Socket→TDP→Integrated graphics→DDR5→Cinebench R23 (multi)→Cinebench R23 (single)→
By manufacturer

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