M4 Max (16 cores)

The M4 Max (16 cores) is a 16-core / 16-thread processor, manufactured on a 3 nm process node. It reaches a maximum boost clock of 4.51 GHz from a base frequency of 2.75 GHz— higher boost clocks directly translate to better single-threaded performance and responsiveness in gaming. In the PassMark benchmark (a comprehensive multi-threaded test), it scores 43,985, placing it in the Enthusiast performance tier as a Recent generation product. Geekbench 6 single-core (the most relevant metric for gaming FPS) records 4,060, while multi-core reaches 26,675.

The M4 Max (16 cores) fits into the none socket and supports PCIe 4.0 with 40 total PCIe lanes for expansion cards and storage. It supports LPDDR5X memory at speeds up to Unified Memory (faster RAM improves bandwidth-sensitive workloads), with a maximum capacity of 128 GB across 8 channels (dual-channel doubles bandwidth). It supports ECC memory, providing error-correcting capabilities — essential for mission-critical workloads and servers. Integrated graphics: Apple 40-core GPU — allows display output without a dedicated GPU, useful for troubleshooting and light tasks.

The M4 Max (16 cores) is primarily designed for Professional Laptop. Virtualization: Apple Virtualization — enables running virtual machines efficiently (important for development and server workloads). Its primary market competitor is the Ryzen AI Max PRO 390.

The M4 Max (16 cores) has a rated TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 4 MB — this indicates the amount of heat generated under sustained load and determines what cooling solution is needed. No stock cooler is included — you will need to purchase an aftermarket cooler separately. Recommended cooling: Active Cooling.

Performance ranking position: #254 out of all indexed processors.