Core i9-14900HX vs M4 Max (16 cores)

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.

Core i9-14900HX vs M4 Max (16 cores) FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i9-14900HX vs M4 Max (16 cores): Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i9-14900HX

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +17.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Laptop Integrated), unlike M4 Max (16 cores).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (17,500 vs 26,675).
❌Launch MSRP is still $668 MSRP, while M4 Max (16 cores) mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌1275% higher power demand at 55W vs 4W.

M4 Max (16 cores)

2024

Why buy it

✅+52.4% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Draws 4W instead of 55W, a 51W reduction.
✅100% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-14900HX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i9-14900HX.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-14900HX better than M4 Max (16 cores)?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-14900HX is ahead with a 17.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, M4 Max (16 cores) pulls ahead with 52.4% better Geekbench multi-core.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, M4 Max (16 cores) is the stronger fit. You are getting 52.4% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 16 cores and 16 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i9-14900HX is the better buy right now. Core i9-14900HX comes in at an unclear MSRP at $668 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 17.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that M4 Max (16 cores) is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 52.4% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (66.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

M4 Max (16 cores) is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Core i9-14900HX vs M4 Max (16 cores) Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

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.

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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%

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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 — 50% 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	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	40+100%

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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