Core i9-14900HX vs M4 Max (16 cores)
Core i9-14900HX
M4 Max (16 cores)
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Per Dollar M4 Max (16 cores)
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i9-14900HX | M4 Max (16 cores) |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($149) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Raptor Lake-HX Refresh (2024) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 3 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i9-14900HX | M4 Max (16 cores) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($149) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i9-14900HX and M4 Max (16 cores)
Core i9-14900HX
The Core i9-14900HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-HX Refresh (2024) architecture. It features 24 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.7 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1964. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 44,685 points. Launch price was $499.
M4 Max (16 cores)
The M4 Max (16 cores) is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 30 October 2024 (1 year ago). It features 16 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.75 GHz, with boost up to 4.51 GHz. Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 4 MB. Memory support: LPDDR5X. Passmark benchmark score: 43,985 points. Launch price was $499.
Processing Power
The Core i9-14900HX packs 24 cores / 32 threads, while the M4 Max (16 cores) offers 16 cores / 16 threads — the Core i9-14900HX has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.7 GHz on the Core i9-14900HX versus 4.51 GHz on the M4 Max (16 cores) — a 23.3% clock advantage for the Core i9-14900HX (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.75 GHz). The Core i9-14900HX is built on the Raptor Lake-HX Refresh (2024) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i9-14900HX scores 44,685 against the M4 Max (16 cores)'s 43,985 — a 1.6% lead for the Core i9-14900HX. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 3,000 vs 4,060, a 30% lead for the M4 Max (16 cores) that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 17,500 vs 26,675 (41.5% advantage for the M4 Max (16 cores)).
| Feature | Core i9-14900HX | M4 Max (16 cores) |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 24 / 32+50% | 16 / 16 |
| Boost Clock | 5.7 GHz+26% | 4.51 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.2 GHz | 2.75 GHz+25% |
| L3 Cache | 36 MB (total) | — |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | — |
| Process | Intel 7 nm | 3 nm-57% |
| Architecture | Raptor Lake-HX Refresh (2024) | — |
| PassMark | 44,685+2% | 43,985 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 35,000 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 3,000 | 4,060+35% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 17,500 | 26,675+52% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i9-14900HX uses the FCBGA1964 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the M4 Max (16 cores) uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200 memory speed. The Core i9-14900HX supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 40% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i9-14900HX) vs 8 (M4 Max (16 cores)). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i9-14900HX) vs 40 (M4 Max (16 cores)) — the M4 Max (16 cores) offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM770,WM790 (Core i9-14900HX) and Apple Silicon (M4 Max (16 cores)).
| Feature | Core i9-14900HX | M4 Max (16 cores) |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1964 | none |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+25% | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200 | Unified Memory |
| Max RAM Capacity | 192 GB+50% | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 8+300% |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | 40+100% |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i9-14900HX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i9-14900HX) vs Apple Virtualization (M4 Max (16 cores)). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 770 (Core i9-14900HX) and Apple 40-core GPU (M4 Max (16 cores)) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-14900HX targets Flagship Gaming Laptop, M4 Max (16 cores) targets Professional Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i9-14900HX rivals Ryzen 9 7945HX; M4 Max (16 cores) rivals Ryzen AI Max PRO 390.
| Feature | Core i9-14900HX | M4 Max (16 cores) |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | UHD Graphics 770 | Apple 40-core GPU |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | Apple Virtualization |
| Target Use | Flagship Gaming Laptop | Professional Laptop |
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