EPYC 9124 vs M4 Max (16 cores)

EPYC 9124 vs M4 Max (16 cores) Performance Spectrum

EPYC 9124

16 / 32

43,638

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

M4 Max (16 cores)

16 / 16

43,985

+0.8%

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.

EPYC 9124 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.

EPYC 9124 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.

EPYC 9124

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 40.
✅220% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 40) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,770 vs 4,060).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (18,000 vs 26,675).
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,083 MSRP, while M4 Max (16 cores) mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌4900% higher power demand at 200W vs 4W.
❌No integrated graphics, while M4 Max (16 cores) can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

M4 Max (16 cores)

2024

Why buy it

✅+129.4% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 4W instead of 200W, a 196W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Apple 40-core GPU, while EPYC 9124 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 9124, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Quick Answers

So, is M4 Max (16 cores) better than EPYC 9124?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. EPYC 9124 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while M4 Max (16 cores) is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, M4 Max (16 cores) is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.3% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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 48.2% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 16 cores and 16 threads.

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

M4 Max (16 cores) is still the faster CPU overall, but EPYC 9124 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. M4 Max (16 cores) comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,083 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. EPYC 9124 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (40.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

M4 Max (16 cores) makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2022) and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 16 threads instead of 16/32. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

EPYC 9124 vs M4 Max (16 cores) Technical Specifications

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

EPYC 9124

The EPYC 9124 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 10 November 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Genoa (2022−2023) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm, 6 nm process technology. Socket: SP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 200 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 43,638 points. Launch price was $1,083.

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 EPYC 9124 packs 16 cores / 32 threads, matching the M4 Max (16 cores)'s 16 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the EPYC 9124 versus 4.51 GHz on the M4 Max (16 cores) — a 19.7% clock advantage for the M4 Max (16 cores) (base: 3 GHz vs 2.75 GHz). The EPYC 9124 is built on the Genoa (2022−2023) architecture. In PassMark, the EPYC 9124 scores 43,638 against the M4 Max (16 cores)'s 43,985 — a 0.8% lead for the M4 Max (16 cores). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,770 vs 4,060, a 78.6% lead for the M4 Max (16 cores) that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 18,000 vs 26,675 (38.8% advantage for the M4 Max (16 cores)).

Feature	EPYC 9124	M4 Max (16 cores)
Cores / Threads	16 / 32	16 / 16
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	4.51 GHz+22%
Base Clock	3 GHz+9%	2.75 GHz
L3 Cache	64 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	—
Process	5 nm, 6 nm	3 nm-40%
Architecture	Genoa (2022−2023)	—
PassMark	43,638	43,985
Geekbench 6 Single	1,770	4,060+129%
Geekbench 6 Multi	18,000	26,675+48%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 9124 uses the SP5 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 DDR5-4800 memory speed. The EPYC 9124 supports up to 6144 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 4700% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 12 (EPYC 9124) vs 8 (M4 Max (16 cores)). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 9124) vs 40 (M4 Max (16 cores)) — the EPYC 9124 offers 88 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP5 (EPYC 9124) and Apple Silicon (M4 Max (16 cores)).

Feature	EPYC 9124	M4 Max (16 cores)
Socket	SP5	none
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	Unified Memory
Max RAM Capacity	6144 GB+4700%	128 GB
RAM Channels	12+50%	8
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	128+220%	40

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the EPYC 9124 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: AMD-V (EPYC 9124) vs Apple Virtualization (M4 Max (16 cores)). The M4 Max (16 cores) includes integrated graphics (Apple 40-core GPU), while the EPYC 9124 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: EPYC 9124 targets Server, M4 Max (16 cores) targets Professional Laptop. Direct competitor: EPYC 9124 rivals Xeon Gold 6426Y; M4 Max (16 cores) rivals Ryzen AI Max PRO 390.