Is Apple M4 Max the Fastest Chip Yet? Benchmarks Reveal the Truth

Benchmarks of the newly unveiled Apple M4 Max chip have started making waves online. Based on leaked Geekbench scores, the M4 Max single-handedly outperforms the latest processors from Intel and AMD—all while using noticeably less power.

Notably, the Apple M4 Max, benchmarked on the new 16-inch MacBook Pro, scores 4,060 points in the single-core test and 26,675 points in the multi-core test. In comparison, last year’s M3 Max scored 3,070 in single-core and 21,405 in multi-core tests, according to the Geekbench database.

This means the M4 Max offers about a 32% boost in single-core performance and roughly a 25% increase in multi-core performance over the M3 Max.

M4 Max’s Geekbench CPU and GPU Scores

Not only does Apple’s new chip outperforms its predecessor by a solid margin, but it also edges out Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285K and AMD’s Ryzen 9 9950X processors. Here’s how the benchmarks compare:

Based on benchmarks, the M4 Max outperforms the Ryzen 9 9950X by 20.8% in single-core and 29.8% in multi-core tests. It also scores 17.7% higher in single-core and 15.9% higher in multi-core than the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K.

Even when AMD’s Ryzen 9 9950X ‘Zen 5’ is overclocked to 6.0GHz, achieving a multi-core score of 26,047, the M4 Max still holds the single-core performance crown.

In terms of specifications, the M4 Max features a 16-core CPU with 12 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores. Built with advanced 3nm technology, the Apple chip is also highly power-efficient—a key factor behind the new MacBooks’ claimed 24-hour battery life, the longest ever on a Mac.

In short, the M4 Max sets a new standard for those pushing their workflow limits, making it ideal for complex tasks like video editing, 3D animation, and graphic design. Apple has also doubled down on AI, with a Neural Engine twice as powerful as the previous generation and upgraded machine learning (ML) accelerators in the CPU.

Ritik Singh

With over 7 years of experience in tech, Ritik currently heads content at Techwiser.com. His journey began by sharing his knowledge and helping other people in online communities. This passion led him to a career in tech journalism, fueled by a formal education in Electronic Media. He then went on to roles at GadgetsToUse and PC-Tablet, where he honed his skills as an editor. He's also contributed to popular publications like HowToGeek and TheWindowsClub. With a portfolio of over 2,000 how-tos, reviews, and in-depth guides, Ritik has helped millions of readers navigate their tech, from smartphones to smart homes.