Apple M4 Max
16C CPU · 40C GPU · 16-core Neural Engine
Core Ultra 9 285
24C/24T · 5.4 GHz · 65 W · PassMark #193
Apple M4 Max takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Apple M4 Max lands at 97 and Core Ultra 9 285 at 32. That puts Apple M4 Max ahead by 65 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 9 285 if…
- ✓PassMark #193 of 5,901 — capable workhorse
- ✓Intel's latest architecture with on-chip NPU
- ✓Current PassMark-tracked street price around $579
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testValue for money
Apple M4 MaxSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Apple M4 Max more score per dollar ($1,299 vs $579).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Apple M4 Max | Core Ultra 9 285 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 16 (12P+4E) | ▲ 24 (8P + 16E) |
| Threads | 16 | ▲ 24 |
| Memory bandwidth | 546 GB/s | — |
| Neural engine | 16-core, 38 TOPS | — |
| Process | TSMC N3E | — |
| Max memory | 128 GB unified | — |
| Base clock | — | 2.5 GHz |
| Boost clock | — | 5.4 GHz |
| L3 cache | — | 36 MB |
| TDP | — | 65 W base / 182 W turbo |
| Socket | — | LGA 1851 |
| Class | — | Desktop |
| PassMark rank | — | #193 of 5,901 |
| PassMark CPU Mark | — | 57,575 |
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 9 285
- +PassMark #193 of 5,901 — capable workhorse
- +Intel's latest architecture with on-chip NPU
- +Current PassMark-tracked street price around $579
- −Requires recent-generation motherboard and DDR5 memory
- −Newer-generation parts pull ahead in current rankings
FAQ: Apple M4 Max vs Core Ultra 9 285
Which is better, Apple M4 Max or Core Ultra 9 285? +
Apple M4 Max scores 97 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 65. 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 9 285 worth the price? +
At $579, Core Ultra 9 285 delivers a Specdex score of 32 — strongest in passmark.
Does Apple M4 Max or Core Ultra 9 285 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 9 285? +
Apple M4 Max — more score per dollar ($1,299 vs $579). Specdex score per dollar at MSRP.