Apple M4 Max
16C CPU · 40C GPU · 16-core Neural Engine
Core Ultra 7 265
20C/20T · 5.2 GHz · 65 W · PassMark #262
Apple M4 Max takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Apple M4 Max lands at 97 and Core Ultra 7 265 at 28. That puts Apple M4 Max ahead by 69 points — a decisive 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 Core Ultra 7 265 if…
- ✓PassMark CPU Mark of 49,724 — solid multi-thread numbers
- ✓Intel's latest architecture with on-chip NPU
- ✓Current PassMark-tracked street price around $326
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testValue for money
Core Ultra 7 265Specdex score per dollar at MSRP
Core Ultra 7 265 more score per dollar ($326 vs $1,299).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Apple M4 Max | Core Ultra 7 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 16 (12P+4E) | ▲ 20 (8P + 12E) |
| Threads | 16 | ▲ 20 |
| Memory bandwidth | 546 GB/s | — |
| Neural engine | 16-core, 38 TOPS | — |
| Process | TSMC N3E | — |
| Max memory | 128 GB unified | — |
| Base clock | — | 2.4 GHz |
| Boost clock | — | 5.2 GHz |
| L3 cache | — | 30 MB |
| TDP | — | 65 W base / 182 W turbo |
| Socket | — | LGA 1851 |
| Class | — | Desktop |
| PassMark rank | — | #262 of 5,901 |
| PassMark CPU Mark | — | 49,724 |
Apple M4 Max
- +Industry-best perf-per-watt
- +128 GB unified memory option
- +Hardware ray-tracing
- −Apple ecosystem lock-in
- −Not user-replaceable
- −Limited Windows gaming
Core Ultra 7 265
- +PassMark CPU Mark of 49,724 — solid multi-thread numbers
- +Intel's latest architecture with on-chip NPU
- +Current PassMark-tracked street price around $326
- −Requires recent-generation motherboard and DDR5 memory
- −Newer-generation parts pull ahead in current rankings
FAQ: Apple M4 Max vs Core Ultra 7 265
Which is better, Apple M4 Max or Core Ultra 7 265? +
Apple M4 Max scores 97 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 69. 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 Core Ultra 7 265 worth the price? +
At $326, Core Ultra 7 265 delivers a Specdex score of 28 — strongest in passmark.
Does Apple M4 Max or Core Ultra 7 265 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 the better value, Apple M4 Max or Core Ultra 7 265? +
Core Ultra 7 265 — more score per dollar ($326 vs $1,299). Specdex score per dollar at MSRP.