Apple M2 Max 12 Core 3680 MHz — Benchmarks & Specs
Short answer: the Apple M2 Max 12 Core 3680 MHz generates 6.2 tokens/sec on llama3.1:70b (q4_K_M) under ollama in a single cited run, per Local AI Master; there are too few comparable runs on file for a median.
Bottom line: how fast is the Apple M2 Max 12 Core 3680 MHz?
For local LLM inference it generates 6.2 tokens/sec running llama3.1:70b at q4_K_M under ollama, per Local AI Master. In PassMark CPU Mark it scores 26,850–26,861 points, across two PassMark results (PassMark CPU benchmark listing, PassMark CPU benchmark listing). Across all its cores it scores 14,767–14,808 points in Cinebench R23 multi, across two published results (16 inch macbook pro with m2 max review, Notebookcheck).
Every figure above is a row in the tables below, and each row links out to the review or public benchmark database the number was taken from. SpecPicks aggregates published measurements; it does not report first-party benchmark runs.
The Apple M2 Max 12 Core 3680 MHz is a processor from Apple. Data on this page draws on 16 synthetic benchmark results (top 10 shown), 11 community AI inference reports, 1 measured game frame-rate result, compiled from Local AI Master, AppleInsider, llama.cpp GitHub Discussion #4167, ModelPiper, Notebookcheck, PassMark, Geekbench Browser, MutePC; each table row links to its source. Read this page when shopping the Apple M2 Max 12 Core 3680 MHz, comparing it against other processors in your build, or sizing it for a specific workload (gaming at 1080p/1440p/4K, synthetic benchmark scores, or local LLM inference).
Gaming Performance (measured FPS)
Average and 1% low frame rates by game, resolution, and quality preset. Bars are scaled against the fastest result on this page.
| Game | Resolution | Settings | Relative | Avg FPS | 1% low | Test GPU | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baldur's Gate 3 | 1080p | Ultra | 51 fps | — | Not recorded | MutePC 2023-10-07 |
AI Inference Performance
Tokens per second under each model + quantization. Higher = faster generation. Bars compare runs across the same model.
| Model | Quantization | Relative | Tokens/sec | VRAM used | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| llama-7b | q4_0 llama.cpp | 66.0 tok/s | — | llama.cpp GitHub — Apple Silicon M-series perf thread 2023-08 | |
| llama3.2:3b | q4_K_M ollama | 48.0 tok/s | — | ModelPiper 2026-07-29 | |
| llama3.2:7b | q4_K_M ollama | 44.0 tok/s | — | Local AI Master 2026-04-10 | |
| llama-7b | q8_0 llama.cpp | 41.8 tok/s | — | llama.cpp GitHub — Apple Silicon M-series perf thread 2023-08 | |
| llama3.1:13b | q4_K_M ollama | 28.0 tok/s | — | Local AI Master 2026-04-10 | |
| llama3.1:8b | q4_K_M ollama | 28.0 tok/s | — | ModelPiper 2026-07-29 | |
| qwen2.5:14b | q4_K_M ollama | 16.0 tok/s | — | ModelPiper 2026-07-29 | |
| llama3.1:70b | q4_K_M ollama | 6.2 tok/s | — | Local AI Master 2026-04-10 |
Batched serving throughput
| Model | Quantization | Relative | Tokens/sec (aggregate) | VRAM used | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| llama2:7b | q4_0 llama.cpp 512 concurrent requests | 66.0 tok/s aggregate | — | llama.cpp GitHub Discussion #4167 2023-09 | |
| llama2:7b | q8_0 llama.cpp 512 concurrent requests | 41.8 tok/s aggregate | — | llama.cpp GitHub Discussion #4167 2023-09 | |
| llama2:7b | FP16 llama.cpp 512 concurrent requests | 24.6 tok/s aggregate | — | llama.cpp GitHub Discussion #4167 2023-09 |
Synthetic Benchmarks
Higher is better. Bars are scaled within each benchmark family (multi-thread, single-thread, etc.) so you can compare like-with-like at a glance.
| Benchmark | Relative | Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| PassMark CPU Mark | 26,861 points | PassMark retrieved 2026-06-02 | |
| PassMark CPU Mark | 26,850 points | PassMark Software retrieved 2026-07-02 | |
| Geekbench 5 multi | 15,434 points | AppleInsider 2023-02-02 | |
| Geekbench 6 multi | 14,863 points | Notebookcheck retrieved 2026-07-02 | |
| Cinebench R23 multi16 inch macbook pro with m2 max review | 14,808 points | AppleInsider 2023-02-02 | |
| Cinebench R23 multi | 14,767 points | Notebookcheck 2023-03-06 | |
| Geekbench 6 multi | 14,754 points | Geekbench Browser retrieved 2026-06-02 | |
| Geekbench 6 multi16 inch macbook pro with m2 max review | 13,321 points | AppleInsider 2023-02-15 | |
| PassMark CPU Mark single thread | 4,140 points | PassMark retrieved 2026-06-02 | |
| PassMark CPU Mark single thread | 4,138 points | PassMark Software retrieved 2026-07-02 |
Apple M2 Max 12 Core 3680 MHz — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Apple M2 Max 12 Core 3680 MHz best used for?
Where do the Apple M2 Max 12 Core 3680 MHz benchmark numbers come from?
How many cores does the Apple M2 Max 12 Core 3680 MHz have, and how does it benchmark?
Where can I buy the Apple M2 Max 12 Core 3680 MHz?
Buying guides that rank the Apple M2 Max 12 Core 3680 MHz's class
This page is the raw performance data. The guides below turn it into a ranked pick for a specific build.
Editorial guides covering the Apple M2 Max 12 Core 3680 MHz
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