CPU
GPU
M2 Max
Xeon E5-2699A v4
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 Xeon E5-2699A v4
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | M2 Max | Xeon E5-2699A v4 |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-EP (2016) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | M2 Max | Xeon E5-2699A v4 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Xeon E5-2699A v4
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.
Xeon E5-2699A v4
The Xeon E5-2699A v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 25 October 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-EP (2016) architecture. It features 22 cores and 44 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 55 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 145 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 26,759 points. Launch price was $4,938.
Processing Power
The M2 Max packs 12 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-2699A v4 offers 22 cores / 44 threads — the Xeon E5-2699A v4 has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the M2 Max versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2699A v4 — a 2.7% clock advantage for the M2 Max (base: 2.424 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Xeon E5-2699A v4 is built on the Broadwell-EP (2016) architecture. In PassMark, the M2 Max scores 26,824 against the Xeon E5-2699A v4's 26,759 — a 0.2% lead for the M2 Max. L3 cache: 48 MB on the M2 Max vs 55 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2699A v4.
| Feature | M2 Max | Xeon E5-2699A v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 12 / 12 | 22 / 44+83% |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz+3% | 3.6 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.424 GHz+1% | 2.4 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 48 MB | 55 MB (total)+15% |
| L2 Cache | 36 MB+14300% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 5 nm-64% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | — | Broadwell-EP (2016) |
| PassMark | 26,824 | 26,759 |
Memory & Platform
The M2 Max uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-2699A v4 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | M2 Max | Xeon E5-2699A v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | none | LGA2011 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0+33% | PCIe 3.0 |
| 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 (Xeon E5-2699A v4). The M2 Max includes integrated graphics (Apple M2 Max GPU), while the Xeon E5-2699A v4 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: M2 Max targets Mobile.
| Feature | M2 Max | Xeon E5-2699A v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Apple M2 Max GPU | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | Virtualization | — |
| Target Use | Mobile | — |
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