M4 Max (14 cores) vs Xeon Gold 6426Y
M4 Max (14 cores)
Xeon Gold 6426Y
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 M4 Max (14 cores)
Performance Per Dollar Xeon Gold 6426Y
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | M4 Max (14 cores) | Xeon Gold 6426Y |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($2,145) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 3 nm) | ✨ Modern (Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | M4 Max (14 cores) | Xeon Gold 6426Y |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($2,145) |
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 M4 Max (14 cores) and Xeon Gold 6426Y
M4 Max (14 cores)
The M4 Max (14 cores) is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 30 November 2024 (1 year ago). It features 14 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 2.59 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: 38,558 points. Launch price was $499.
Xeon Gold 6426Y
The Xeon Gold 6426Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 37.5 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 185 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR5-4400. Passmark benchmark score: 37,944 points. Launch price was $1,517.
Processing Power
The M4 Max (14 cores) packs 14 cores / 14 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6426Y offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Xeon Gold 6426Y has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.51 GHz on the M4 Max (14 cores) versus 4.1 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6426Y — a 9.5% clock advantage for the M4 Max (14 cores) (base: 2.59 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6426Y is built on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. In PassMark, the M4 Max (14 cores) scores 38,558 against the Xeon Gold 6426Y's 37,944 — a 1.6% lead for the M4 Max (14 cores).
| Feature | M4 Max (14 cores) | Xeon Gold 6426Y |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 14 / 14 | 16 / 32+14% |
| Boost Clock | 4.51 GHz+10% | 4.1 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.59 GHz+4% | 2.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | — | 37.5 MB |
| L2 Cache | — | 2 MB (per core) |
| Process | 3 nm-57% | Intel 7 nm |
| Architecture | — | Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) |
| PassMark | 38,558+2% | 37,944 |
Memory & Platform
The M4 Max (14 cores) uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6426Y uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 8533 on the M4 Max (14 cores) versus 4800 on the Xeon Gold 6426Y — the M4 Max (14 cores) supports 56% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6426Y supports up to 4096 of RAM compared to 128 — 187.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 0 (M4 Max (14 cores)) vs 8 (Xeon Gold 6426Y). PCIe lanes: 0 (M4 Max (14 cores)) vs 80 (Xeon Gold 6426Y) — the Xeon Gold 6426Y offers 80 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Apple M4 (M4 Max (14 cores)) and LGA4677 (Xeon Gold 6426Y).
| Feature | M4 Max (14 cores) | Xeon Gold 6426Y |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | none | LGA4677 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 5.0+25% |
| Max RAM Speed | 8533+78% | 4800 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 | 4096+3100% |
| RAM Channels | 0 | 8 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 80 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Xeon Gold 6426Y supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (macOS) (M4 Max (14 cores)) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 6426Y). The M4 Max (14 cores) includes integrated graphics (Apple M4 Max GPU (32-core)), while the Xeon Gold 6426Y requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: M4 Max (14 cores) rivals Ryzen AI Max PRO 390; Xeon Gold 6426Y rivals EPYC 8124P.
| Feature | M4 Max (14 cores) | Xeon Gold 6426Y |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Apple M4 Max GPU (32-core) | None |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d (macOS) | VT-x, VT-d |
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