Apple M4 Max (14-core CPU / 32-core GPU)

Name: Apple M4 Max (14-core CPU / 32-core GPU)
Brand: Apple
SKU: 7918

Manufacturer: Apple

The Apple M4 Max (14-core CPU / 32-core GPU) is a processor designed for both laptop and desktop use, built on a 3-nanometer semiconductor process and packing 28 billion transistors into its silicon. It operates as a 14-thread chip using big.LITTLE technology, combining ten higher-performance cores running at 4.05 GHz with four efficiency cores at 2.75 GHz, alongside a 32-core integrated GPU capable of driving up to three external displays.

On the memory side, the M4 Max supports up to 128GB of DDR5 RAM at speeds reaching 6400 MHz, with a maximum memory bandwidth of 410 GB/s. The chip carries a 80W TDP rating and includes hardware security features such as TrustZone and NX bit support. In benchmarks, it scores 38870 in PassMark multi-core and 23455 in Geekbench 6 multi-core, with single-core results of 4531 and 4007 respectively.

Pros

Supports up to 128GB of DDR5 RAM, allowing for large memory configurations in demanding workloads
Maximum memory bandwidth of 410 GB/s enables high-throughput data transfer between the processor and memory
Built on a 3nm process with 28 billion transistors, reflecting a high degree of silicon density for its generation
big.LITTLE technology with HMP support allows all 14 threads to be utilized simultaneously across both core types
Integrated graphics can drive up to three external displays without requiring a discrete GPU
Compatible with both laptop and desktop form factors, offering deployment flexibility

Cons

ECC memory is not supported, which limits reliability in error-sensitive or mission-critical environments
With a TDP of 80W, thermal and power management requirements may be demanding in compact or passively cooled enclosures
Limited to 14 threads, which may restrict throughput in heavily multi-threaded workloads that scale with higher thread counts

Who is this for?

This chip is well-suited to users who need to handle memory-intensive workloads, given its support for up to 128GB of DDR5 RAM and a memory bandwidth of 410 GB/s. The combination of big.LITTLE architecture with HMP support makes it a practical fit for environments where tasks vary in intensity and benefit from efficient thread distribution. Users working across multi-display setups will also find value in the integrated GPU's ability to drive three external monitors without requiring additional hardware, while those deploying systems in both laptop and desktop configurations can benefit from the chip's compatibility across both form factors.

Who is this NOT for?

Users operating in error-sensitive or mission-critical environments — such as scientific computing, financial data processing, or server-side applications — may find this chip unsuitable due to its lack of ECC memory support, which is typically required where data integrity is non-negotiable. The 80W TDP also makes it a poor match for compact, passively cooled, or thermally constrained builds where sustained power draw would be difficult to manage. Additionally, workloads that rely heavily on high thread counts scaling beyond 14 threads may encounter throughput limitations, making this chip less appropriate for users whose applications are optimized to saturate large numbers of concurrent threads.

General info:

Type	Laptop, Desktop
Has integrated graphics	✓
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	80W
semiconductor size	3 nm
number of transistors	28000 million
Supports 64-bit	✓

The Apple M4 Max (14-core CPU / 32-core GPU) is designed for use in both laptop and desktop systems, and includes integrated graphics alongside full 64-bit support. It is fabricated on a 3nm semiconductor process and incorporates 28,000 million transistors, reflecting a high level of silicon density. The chip carries a Thermal Design Power rating of 80W, which governs its heat output across supported configurations.

Performance:

CPU speed	10 x 4.05 & 4 x 2.75 GHz
CPU threads	14 threads
Uses big.LITTLE technology	✓
Uses HMP	✓

The chip features a 14-thread configuration spread across two groups of cores: ten cores clocked at 4.05 GHz and four cores running at 2.75 GHz. This arrangement is made possible by big.LITTLE technology, which allows different core types to operate at distinct clock speeds within the same processor. Heterogeneous Multi-Processing (HMP) is also supported, enabling the chip to assign tasks across all available cores simultaneously rather than restricting workloads to one core type at a time.

Benchmarks:

PassMark result	38870
PassMark result (single)	4531
Geekbench 6 result (multi)	23455
Geekbench 6 result (single)	4007

In PassMark testing, the chip achieves a multi-core score of 38,870 alongside a single-core result of 4,531. Geekbench 6 results follow a similar pattern, with a multi-core score of 23,455 and a single-core score of 4,007, reflecting how the processor performs when workloads are distributed across all cores versus confined to a single thread.

Integrated graphics:

supported displays	3

The integrated graphics solution supports connectivity to up to 3 external displays simultaneously, allowing for a multi-monitor setup without the need for a discrete GPU.

Memory:

RAM speed (max)	6400 MHz
maximum memory bandwidth	410 GB/s
DDR memory version	5
maximum memory amount	128GB
Supports ECC memory	✕

The chip uses DDR5 memory and supports a maximum capacity of 128GB, with RAM speeds reaching up to 6400 MHz. A standout figure is the maximum memory bandwidth of 410 GB/s, which reflects the throughput available between the processor and its memory. ECC memory is not supported on this chip.

Features:

Has TrustZone	✓
Has NX bit	✓

The chip includes two hardware security features: TrustZone, which enables the creation of a secure execution environment at the hardware level, and the NX bit, which helps prevent certain classes of malicious code from executing in memory regions designated as non-executable.

Final Verdict

The Apple M4 Max (14-core CPU / 32-core GPU) is a well-specified processor built around a 3nm architecture that brings together a high-capacity memory subsystem, flexible multi-core threading, and integrated multi-display support in a single chip. Its 410 GB/s memory bandwidth paired with up to 128GB of DDR5 RAM makes it a strong fit for users running memory-intensive applications across both laptop and desktop deployments. Certain constraints — namely the absence of ECC memory support and the 80W thermal footprint — define the boundaries of where it performs best, steering it toward creative and professional workstation use rather than server or mission-critical environments. For users whose workflows align with those parameters, the M4 Max presents a technically cohesive and well-rounded set of specifications.