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Apple - M4 Max (16-core) vs Apple - M4 Ultra

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%
M4 UltraAPPLERENDER
Probe B
Apple
M4 Ultra
63.1/ 100C
Cores54· 40%
Benchmarks72· 40%
Platform—· 20%
Quick verdict

Between the M4 Max (16-core) and M4 Ultra, the M4 Max (16-core) comes out ahead in tdp, while the M4 Ultra wins on cores and l3 cache. Overall, the M4 Max (16-core) scores 50.7 and the M4 Ultra scores 63.1 on our Mars Score.

Buying advice

Which should you buy?

The M4 Ultra is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 12.4 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 M4 Ultra 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, l3 cache, cinebench r23 (multi).

Both ship with comparable boost clock, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.

Bottom line: the M4 Ultra 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 — 75.00 W less. 45 vs 120.

Why Apple - M4 Ultra wins

  • ▲Cores — 128.57% more. 32 vs 14.
  • ▲L3 cache — 128.57% more. 64 MB vs 28 MB.
  • ▲Cinebench R23 (multi) — 98.49% more. 52600 vs 26500.
Full readout

Spec comparison

Cores

SpecApple - M4 Max (16-core)Apple - M4 Ultra
Coresⓘ1432lead
Threadsⓘ1432lead
Base clockⓘ0 GHz0 GHz
Boost clockⓘ4.5 GHz4.5 GHz
L3 cacheⓘ28 MB64 MBlead

Platform

SpecApple - M4 Max (16-core)Apple - M4 Ultra
SocketⓘSolderedSoldered
TDPⓘ45 Wlead120 W
Integrated graphicsⓘtruetrue
DDR5ⓘtruetrue

Benchmarks

SpecApple - M4 Max (16-core)Apple - M4 Ultra
Cinebench R23 (multi)ⓘ2650052600lead
Cinebench R23 (single)ⓘ22752290lead
Reader questions

Frequently asked

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)→
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