Skip to main content
Apple M4 Max 16 Core
Apple · CPU

Apple M4 Max 16 Core — Benchmarks & Specs

Short answer: the Apple M4 Max 16 Core generates a median 83.1 tokens/sec on 7-9B dense models at 4-bit (Q4) under llama.cpp, across 3 cited runs from Markaicode and llama.cpp GitHub Discussion #4167.

Bottom line: how fast is the Apple M4 Max 16 Core?

SpecPicks median: 83.1 tokens/sec across 3 cited single-user runs of 7-9B dense models at 4-bit (Q4) under llama.cpp (range 51.2–83.1 tok/s), from Markaicode (2 runs), llama.cpp GitHub Discussion #4167. For local LLM inference it generates 12.5 tokens/sec running llama3.1:70b at q4_K_M under llama.cpp, per Markaicode. In PassMark CPU Mark it scores 43,901–43,966 points, across two PassMark results (PassMark CPU benchmark listing, PassMark CPU benchmark listing). Across all its cores it scores 27,108–29,064 points in Cinebench R23 multi, across three published results (cpu-monkey.com CPU benchmark listing, Notebookcheck CPU benchmark listing, 16 inch macbook pro m4 max review).

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; the SpecPicks median is computed here from the runs it names, each a row in the AI table. SpecPicks aggregates published measurements; it does not report first-party benchmark runs.

The Apple M4 Max 16 Core is a processor from Apple. Data on this page draws on 18 synthetic benchmark results (top 10 shown), 14 community AI inference reports (top 13 shown), 5 game frame-rate results, compiled from Notebookcheck, Markaicode, llama.cpp GitHub Discussion #4167, LLMCheck, PassMark, AppleInsider, Kunal Ganglani LLM Benchmarks, cpu-monkey.com, MacGamingDB, Tom's Hardware, yage.ai; each table row links to its source. Read this page when shopping the Apple M4 Max 16 Core, 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 (reported FPS)

Average and 1% low frame rates by game, resolution, and quality preset. Bars are scaled against the fastest result on this page.

Gaming frame rates for the Apple M4 Max 16 Core by game, resolution, and quality preset. Rows from aggregator sites are estimates, not measured runs, dated by when SpecPicks fetched them. “1% low” is the frame-time floor that determines perceived smoothness. A CPU’s frame rate depends on the graphics card it was tested with, named in the Test GPU column when the source records it. Each row links to its original review or benchmark database.
Game Resolution Settings Relative Avg FPS 1% low Test GPU Source
Cyberpunk 2077 1080p Low 136 fps — Not recorded Notebookcheck 2025-11-20
Cyberpunk 2077 1080p Medium 109 fps — Not recorded Notebookcheck 2025-11-20
Cyberpunk 2077 1080p High 96 fps — Not recorded Notebookcheck 2025-11-20
Cyberpunk 2077 1080p Ultra 84 fps — Not recorded Notebookcheck 2025-11-20
Baldur's Gate 3 1080p High 80 fps — Not recorded MacGamingDB 2026-08-04

AI Inference Performance

Tokens per second under each model + quantization. Higher = faster generation. Bars compare runs across the same model.

Local LLM inference throughput on the Apple M4 Max 16 Core, in generated tokens per second for a single request (one user's generation speed). Higher is better; each row links to the community report or benchmark database it came from.
Model Quantization Relative Tokens/sec VRAM used Source
qwen3.5:35b-a3b — mlx 130.0 tok/s — yage.ai 2026-03-31
phi4-mini:3.8b q4_K_M mlx 125.0 tok/s — LLMCheck retrieved 2026-08-04
llama2:7b q4_0 llama.cpp 83.1 tok/s — Markaicode 2026-07-09
llama:7b q4_0 llama.cpp 83.1 tok/s — llama.cpp GitHub Discussion #4167 2024-11
qwen4.1:32b q4_K_M ollama 64.0 tok/s — LLMCheck retrieved 2026-08-04
qwen4:32b q4_K_M ollama 62.0 tok/s — LLMCheck retrieved 2026-08-04
llama3.1:8b q4_K_M mlx 58.0 tok/s — Kunal Ganglani LLM Benchmarks 2026-01
llama:7b q8_0 llama.cpp 54.0 tok/s — llama.cpp GitHub Discussion #4167 2024-11
llama3.1:8b q4_K_M llama.cpp 51.2 tok/s — Markaicode 2026-05-25
qwen3:30b-a3b q4_K_M ollama 42.0 tok/s — LLMCheck retrieved 2026-08-04
llama:7b FP16 llama.cpp 31.6 tok/s — llama.cpp GitHub Discussion #4167 2024-11
qwen2.5:32b q4_K_M ollama 22.0 tok/s — Kunal Ganglani LLM Benchmarks 2026-01
llama3.1:70b q4_K_M llama.cpp 12.5 tok/s — Markaicode 2026-05-25

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.

Synthetic benchmark scores for the Apple M4 Max 16 Core — higher is better. Each row links to the public database the number was taken from. A benchmark listed more than once is separate published results, shown as published rather than averaged.
Benchmark Relative Score Source
PassMark CPU Mark 43,966 points PassMark Software retrieved 2026-06-02
PassMark CPU Mark 43,901 points PassMark retrieved 2026-08-04
Cinebench R23 multi 29,064 points cpu-monkey.com retrieved 2026-09-04
Cinebench R23 multi 27,595 points Notebookcheck retrieved 2026-06-02
Cinebench R23 multi16 inch macbook pro m4 max review 27,108 points AppleInsider 2024-11-22
Geekbench 6 multi 26,675 points Tom's Hardware 2024-11-02Same result reported by 9to5Mac (Geekbench Browser)
Geekbench 6 multi16 inch macbook pro m4 max review 26,629 points AppleInsider 2024-11-22
Geekbench 6 multiApple MacBook Pro 16 M4 Max review 25,760 points Notebookcheck 2024-11-08
PassMark CPU Mark single thread 4,592 points PassMark Software retrieved 2026-06-02
PassMark CPU Mark single thread 4,589 points PassMark Software retrieved 2026-10-05

Apple M4 Max 16 Core — Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Apple M4 Max 16 Core best used for?
Apple M4 Max 16 Core is a processor. Mainstream desktops and gaming builds are the typical workloads.
Where do the Apple M4 Max 16 Core benchmark numbers come from?
Each benchmark row on this page names its source (public benchmark databases such as TechPowerUp, PassMark, Geekbench and Cinebench, and community reports such as r/LocalLLaMA threads) and links to it, so every number can be checked against the original.
How many cores does the Apple M4 Max 16 Core have, and how does it benchmark?
Core and thread counts for Apple M4 Max 16 Core aren't on file. Synthetic benchmark results (PassMark CPU Mark, Cinebench, Geekbench) are in the Synthetic Benchmarks section.
Where can I buy the Apple M4 Max 16 Core?
No verified listing for this exact part is on file yet. The Compare tool and the /benchmarks index cover adjacent parts that are in stock.

Buying guides that rank the Apple M4 Max 16 Core's class

This page is the raw performance data. The guides below turn it into a ranked pick for a specific build.

Related CPUs

Editorial guides covering the Apple M4 Max 16 Core

In-depth SpecPicks reviews, build guides, and head-to-heads referencing this processor.

More guides & deep dives from the SpecPicks archive

Browse all articles & guides →

More reviews from the SpecPicks archive

Browse all reviews →

More buying guides from SpecPicks

Browse all buying guides →

Hardware benchmark data on SpecPicks

All benchmarks →