CPU
GPU
M2 Max
EPYC 7451
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 M2 Max
Performance Per Dollar EPYC 7451
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | M2 Max | EPYC 7451 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 5 nm) | ✨ Modern (Naples (2017−2018) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | M2 Max | EPYC 7451 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 M2 Max and EPYC 7451
M2 Max
The M2 Max is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 17 January 2023 (2 years ago). It features 12 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.424 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 48 MB. L2 cache: 36 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 36 MB + 48 MB. Memory support: LPDDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 26,824 points. Launch price was $299.
EPYC 7451
The EPYC 7451 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 29 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Naples (2017−2018) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: TR4. Thermal design power (TDP): 180 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Eight-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 26,639 points. Launch price was $2,400.
Processing Power
The M2 Max packs 12 cores / 12 threads, while the EPYC 7451 offers 24 cores / 48 threads — the EPYC 7451 has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the M2 Max versus 3.2 GHz on the EPYC 7451 — a 14.5% clock advantage for the M2 Max (base: 2.424 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The EPYC 7451 is built on the Naples (2017−2018) architecture. In PassMark, the M2 Max scores 26,824 against the EPYC 7451's 26,639 — a 0.7% lead for the M2 Max. L3 cache: 48 MB on the M2 Max vs 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 7451.
| Feature | M2 Max | EPYC 7451 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 12 / 12 | 24 / 48+100% |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz+16% | 3.2 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.424 GHz+5% | 2.3 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 48 MB | 64 MB (total)+33% |
| L2 Cache | 36 MB+7100% | 512K (per core) |
| Process | 5 nm-64% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | — | Naples (2017−2018) |
| PassMark | 26,824 | 26,639 |
Memory & Platform
The M2 Max uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the EPYC 7451 uses TR4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | M2 Max | EPYC 7451 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | none | TR4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | LPDDR5-6400 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 96 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 4 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: Virtualization (M2 Max) / not specified (EPYC 7451). The M2 Max includes integrated graphics (Apple M2 Max GPU), while the EPYC 7451 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: M2 Max targets Mobile.
| Feature | M2 Max | EPYC 7451 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Apple M2 Max GPU | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | Virtualization | — |
| Target Use | Mobile | — |
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