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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 2
Threadripper 7980X — Zen 4 · 64C/128T · sTR5
AMD

Threadripper 7980X

Zen 4 · 64C/128T · sTR5

95
/ 100
From $4,999
Specdex verdict

Apple M4 Max takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Apple M4 Max lands at 97 and Threadripper 7980X at 95. That puts Apple M4 Max ahead by 2 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 Threadripper 7980X if…

  • ✓Massive core counts
  • ✓ECC memory support
  • ✓Workstation/server-grade platform
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Winner by scenario

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

Gaming

Apple M4 Max

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

Apple M4 Max leads on single (98 vs 87).

Creators & productivity

Tie

Rendering, compilation, heavy multitasking — favours core count

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

Power efficiency

Apple M4 Max

Performance per watt — thermals, PSU headroom, electricity cost

Apple M4 Max leads on efficiency (100 vs 78).

Value for money

Apple M4 Max

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Apple M4 Max more score per dollar ($1,299 vs $4,999).

Apple M4 Max 97
vs
95 Threadripper 7980X

Score breakdown

Apple M4 Max
97
single 98
multi 96
gaming 82
efficiency 100
Threadripper 7980X
95
single 87
multi 95
gaming 75
efficiency 78

Specs side-by-side

Apple M4 Max versus Threadripper 7980X — full spec comparison
Spec Apple M4 Max Threadripper 7980X
Cores
16 (12P+4E)
▲ 64
Threads
16
▲ 128
Memory bandwidth
546 GB/s
—
Neural engine
16-core, 38 TOPS
—
Process
TSMC N3E
—
Max memory
128 GB unified
—
Architecture
—
Zen 4
Socket
—
sTR5
Release year
—
2023

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

Threadripper 7980X

Pros
  • +Massive core counts
  • +ECC memory support
  • +Workstation/server-grade platform
Cons
  • −Niche platform, limited motherboards
  • −High TDP requires serious cooling
  • −Premium price

FAQ: Apple M4 Max vs Threadripper 7980X

Which is better, Apple M4 Max or Threadripper 7980X? +

Apple M4 Max scores 97 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 2. 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 Threadripper 7980X worth the price? +

At $4,999, Threadripper 7980X delivers a Specdex score of 95 — strongest in multi.

Does Apple M4 Max or Threadripper 7980X 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 gaming, Apple M4 Max or Threadripper 7980X? +

Apple M4 Max — leads on single (98 vs 87). Frame-rate-bound workloads — favours cache and single-thread speed.

Which is better for power efficiency, Apple M4 Max or Threadripper 7980X? +

Apple M4 Max — leads on efficiency (100 vs 78). Performance per watt — thermals, PSU headroom, electricity cost.