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Apple M4 Max — 16C CPU · 40C GPU · 16-core Neural Engine
Apple

Apple M4 Max

16C CPU · 40C GPU · 16-core Neural Engine

97
/ 100
From $1,299
VS
Apple M4 Max wins by 3
Apple M5 — 10C CPU · 10C GPU · Next-gen NPU
Apple

Apple M5

10C CPU · 10C GPU · Next-gen NPU

94
/ 100
From $1,299
Specdex verdict

Apple M4 Max takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Apple M4 Max lands at 97 and Apple M5 at 94. That puts Apple M4 Max ahead by 3 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Apple M4 Max if…

  • ✓Industry-best perf-per-watt
  • ✓128 GB unified memory option
  • ✓Hardware ray-tracing

Pick Apple M5 if…

  • ✓Perf-per-watt improved ~18% vs M4
  • ✓Enhanced ray tracing
  • ✓16-core Neural Engine v5 (50 TOPS)
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Gaming

Tie

Frame-rate-bound workloads — favours cache and single-thread speed

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Creators & productivity

Apple M4 Max

Rendering, compilation, heavy multitasking — favours core count

Apple M4 Max leads on multi (96 vs 90).

Power efficiency

Tie

Performance per watt — thermals, PSU headroom, electricity cost

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Value for money

Tie

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Effectively tied — similar score-per-dollar at MSRP.

Apple M4 Max 97
vs
94 Apple M5

Score breakdown

Apple M4 Max
97
single 98
multi 96
gaming 82
efficiency 100
Apple M5
94
single 100
multi 90
gaming 78
efficiency 100

Specs side-by-side

Apple M4 Max versus Apple M5 — full spec comparison
Spec Apple M4 Max Apple M5
Cores
▲ 16 (12P+4E)
10 (4P+6E)
Threads
16
—
Memory bandwidth
▲ 546 GB/s
150 GB/s
Neural engine
16-core, 38 TOPS
16-core, 50 TOPS
Process
TSMC N3E
TSMC N3P
Max memory
128 GB unified
—

Apple M4 Max

Pros
  • +Industry-best perf-per-watt
  • +128 GB unified memory option
  • +Hardware ray-tracing
Cons
  • −Apple ecosystem lock-in
  • −Not user-replaceable
  • −Limited Windows gaming

Apple M5

Pros
  • +Perf-per-watt improved ~18% vs M4
  • +Enhanced ray tracing
  • +16-core Neural Engine v5 (50 TOPS)
Cons
  • −Apple-ecosystem only
  • −Limited to first-party products
  • −No Windows gaming story

FAQ: Apple M4 Max vs Apple M5

Which is better, Apple M4 Max or Apple M5? +

Apple M4 Max scores 97 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 3. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Apple M4 Max worth the price? +

At $1,299, Apple M4 Max delivers a Specdex score of 97 — strongest in efficiency.

Is Apple M5 worth the price? +

At $1,299, Apple M5 delivers a Specdex score of 94 — strongest in single.

Does Apple M4 Max or Apple M5 last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for creator and productivity work, Apple M4 Max or Apple M5? +

Apple M4 Max — leads on multi (96 vs 90). Rendering, compilation, heavy multitasking — favours core count.