Xeon E5-2699A v4 vs M2 Max

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.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2699A v4

#41

Xeon W-2195

MSRP: $150|Avg: $5

112%

#45

Xeon E5-2699A v4

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#50

Xeon Gold 6238R

MSRP: $2612|Avg: N/A

87%

#54

EPYC 4465P

MSRP: $399|Avg: $399

75%

#55

Ryzen 5 PRO 7645

MSRP: $229|Avg: $192

72%

#56

Xeon E5-4667 v3

MSRP: $128|Avg: $128

72%

#59

Ryzen 9 PRO 7945

MSRP: $409|Avg: $450

68%

#60

Xeon Platinum 8571N

MSRP: $599|Avg: $418

68%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar M2 Max

#187

Core Ultra 9 288V

MSRP: $600|Avg: $600

126%

#188

Core i7-10870H

MSRP: $417|Avg: N/A

126%

#201

M2 Max

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The M2 Max (2023) utilizes 5 nm technology and LPDDR5, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Xeon E5-2699A v4	M2 Max
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-EP (2016) / 14 nm)	✨ Modern (Legacy / 5 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon E5-2699A v4 (2016) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Xeon E5-2699A v4	M2 Max
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Xeon E5-2699A v4 Benchmark Check

M2 Max Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E5-2699A v4 and M2 Max

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.

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.

⚡

Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2699A v4 packs 22 cores / 44 threads, while the M2 Max offers 12 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2699A v4 has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2699A v4 versus 3.7 GHz on the M2 Max — a 2.7% clock advantage for the M2 Max (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.424 GHz). The Xeon E5-2699A v4 is built on the Broadwell-EP (2016) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2699A v4 scores 26,759 against the M2 Max's 26,824 — a 0.2% lead for the M2 Max. L3 cache: 55 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2699A v4 vs 48 MB on the M2 Max.

Feature	Xeon E5-2699A v4	M2 Max
Cores / Threads	22 / 44+83%	12 / 12
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	3.7 GHz+3%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	2.424 GHz+1%
L3 Cache	55 MB (total)+15%	48 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	36 MB+14300%
Process	14 nm	5 nm-64%
Architecture	Broadwell-EP (2016)	—
PassMark	26,759	26,824

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2699A v4 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the M2 Max uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E5-2699A v4	M2 Max
Socket	LGA2011	none
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	—	LPDDR5-6400
Max RAM Capacity	—	96 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E5-2699A v4) / Virtualization (M2 Max). 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.