Apple M2 (8-core) vs Apple M2 Max (12-core)
58.1Single-core60.4
38.7Multi-core51.9
80Efficiencyspec-based80
35Platformspec-based52.8
0 spec wins — Apple M2 (8-core)11 spec wins — Apple M2 Max (12-core)
InnoReviews verdict
Apple M2 Max (12-core) wins this laptop processor face-off, 59.1 to 50.4, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+13) and single-core (+2). Apple M2 (8-core) still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Apple M2 (8-core)
No decisive spec advantages — this side competes on price and preference.
Reasons to pick the Apple M2 Max (12-core)
- Stronger multi-core score: 52 vs 39
- 300% higher Max memory: 96 GB vs 24 GB
- 100% higher Performance cores: 8 vs 4
- 71% higher PassMark: 26,834 vs 15,648
- 68% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 14,600 vs 8,700
General
| Spec | Apple M2 (8-core) | Apple M2 Max (12-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022 | 2023 |
| Process | 5 nm | 5 nm |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M2 (8-core) | Apple M2 Max (12-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 8 | 12+50% |
| Performance cores | 4 | 8+100% |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 4 |
| Threads | 8 | 12+50% |
| Boost clock | 3.5 GHz | 3.7 GHz+5% |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M2 (8-core) | Apple M2 Max (12-core) |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 10-core GPU | Apple 38-core GPU |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M2 (8-core) | Apple M2 Max (12-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5-6400 | LPDDR5-6400 |
| Max memory | 24 GB | 96 GB+300% |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M2 (8-core) | Apple M2 Max (12-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 2,600Top 44% | 2,760+6%Top 30% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 9,750Bottom 38% | 14,500+49%Top 25% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,580Bottom 34% | 1,600+1%Bottom 35% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 8,700Bottom 29% | 14,600+68%Top 39% |
| PassMark | 15,648Bottom 33% | 26,834+71%Top 29% |
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