M4 Max (16 cores) vs Ryzen 9 7845HX

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.

M4 Max (16 cores) vs Ryzen 9 7845HX 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.

M4 Max (16 cores) vs Ryzen 9 7845HX: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

M4 Max (16 cores)

2024

Why buy it

✅+77.4% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Draws 4W instead of 55W, a 51W reduction.
✅42.9% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 28) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 7845HX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 9 7845HX.

Ryzen 9 7845HX

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +27.3% 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 (15,039 vs 26,675).
❌1275% higher power demand at 55W vs 4W.

Quick Answers

So, is M4 Max (16 cores) better than Ryzen 9 7845HX?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 9 7845HX is ahead with a 27.3% 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 77.4% 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 77.4% 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) still makes the most sense overall. M4 Max (16 cores) comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 77.4% better Geekbench multi-core.

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 2023) and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 16 threads instead of 12/24. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

M4 Max (16 cores) vs Ryzen 9 7845HX Technical Specifications

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

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.

Ryzen 9 7845HX

The Ryzen 9 7845HX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Dragon Range-HX (Zen 4) (2023−2024) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on CCD = 5 nm, I/O = 6 nm process technology. Socket: FL1. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 44,940 points. Launch price was $499.

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Processing Power

The M4 Max (16 cores) packs 16 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen 9 7845HX offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the M4 Max (16 cores) has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.51 GHz on the M4 Max (16 cores) versus 5.2 GHz on the Ryzen 9 7845HX — a 14.2% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 7845HX (base: 2.75 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Ryzen 9 7845HX is built on the Dragon Range-HX (Zen 4) (2023−2024) architecture. In PassMark, the M4 Max (16 cores) scores 43,985 against the Ryzen 9 7845HX's 44,940 — a 2.1% lead for the Ryzen 9 7845HX. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 4,060 vs 2,697, a 40.3% lead for the M4 Max (16 cores) that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 26,675 vs 15,039 (55.8% advantage for the M4 Max (16 cores)).

Feature	M4 Max (16 cores)	Ryzen 9 7845HX
Cores / Threads	16 / 16+33%	12 / 24
Boost Clock	4.51 GHz	5.2 GHz+15%
Base Clock	2.75 GHz	3 GHz+9%
L3 Cache	—	64 MB (total)
L2 Cache	—	1 MB (per core)
Process	3 nm-40%	CCD = 5 nm, I/O = 6 nm
Architecture	—	Dragon Range-HX (Zen 4) (2023−2024)
PassMark	43,985	44,940+2%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	26,654
Geekbench 6 Single	4,060+51%	2,697
Geekbench 6 Multi	26,675+77%	15,039

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Memory & Platform

The M4 Max (16 cores) uses the none socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 9 7845HX uses FL1 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to Unified Memory memory speed. The M4 Max (16 cores) supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (M4 Max (16 cores)) vs 2 (Ryzen 9 7845HX). PCIe lanes: 40 (M4 Max (16 cores)) vs 28 (Ryzen 9 7845HX) — the M4 Max (16 cores) offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Apple Silicon (M4 Max (16 cores)) and FL1 (Ryzen 9 7845HX).

Feature	M4 Max (16 cores)	Ryzen 9 7845HX
Socket	none	FL1
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	Unified Memory	DDR5-5200
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	8+300%	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	40+43%	28

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Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 9 7845HX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Ryzen 9 7845HX supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: Apple Virtualization (M4 Max (16 cores)) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 9 7845HX). Both include integrated graphics — Apple 40-core GPU (M4 Max (16 cores)) and Radeon 610M (Ryzen 9 7845HX) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: M4 Max (16 cores) targets Professional Laptop, Ryzen 9 7845HX targets High-end Gaming / Content Creation. Direct competitor: M4 Max (16 cores) rivals Ryzen AI Max PRO 390; Ryzen 9 7845HX rivals Core i9-13900HX.

Feature	M4 Max (16 cores)	Ryzen 9 7845HX
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Apple 40-core GPU	Radeon 610M
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	Apple Virtualization	AMD-V
Target Use	Professional Laptop	High-end Gaming / Content Creation