Apple M4 Max (16-core) vs Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
86.9Single-core74.6
80.8Multi-core61.3
93.3Efficiencyspec-based81.4
—iGPU88.3
60Platformspec-based56.4
7 spec wins — Apple M4 Max (16-core)4 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
InnoReviews verdict
Apple M4 Max (16-core) wins this laptop processor face-off, 81.1 to 69.6, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+20) and single-core (+12). Intel Core Ultra X9 388H still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Apple M4 Max (16-core)
- Stronger single-core score: 87 vs 75
- Stronger multi-core score: 81 vs 61
- 200% higher Performance cores: 12 vs 4
- 51% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 26,300 vs 17,395
- 49% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 28,100 vs 18,911
Reasons to pick the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- 200% higher Efficiency cores: 12 vs 4
- 33% lower process: 2 nm vs 3 nm
- 13% higher Boost clock: 5.1 GHz vs 4.5 GHz
General
| Spec | Apple M4 Max (16-core) | Intel Core Ultra X9 388H |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024 | 2026 |
| Process | 3 nm | 2 nm+33% |
| Base TDP | — | 25 W |
| Max TDP | — | 80 W |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M4 Max (16-core) | Intel Core Ultra X9 388H |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 16 | 16 |
| Performance cores | 12+200% | 4 |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 12+200% |
| Threads | 16 | 16 |
| Base clock | — | 2.1 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.5 GHz | 5.1 GHz+13% |
| L3 cache | — | 18 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M4 Max (16-core) | Intel Core Ultra X9 388H |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 40-core GPU | Intel Arc B390 |
| iGPU clock | — | 2,500 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M4 Max (16-core) | Intel Core Ultra X9 388H |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5X-8533 | LPDDR5X |
| Max memory | 128 GB+33% | 96 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M4 Max (16-core) | Intel Core Ultra X9 388H |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 4,020+32%Top 7% | 3,038Top 19% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 26,300+51%Top 4% | 17,395Top 16% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,230+1%Top 5% | 2,201Top 7% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 28,100+49%Top 10% | 18,911Top 19% |
| PassMark | 43,917+21%Top 11% | 36,409Top 16% |
| 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU) | — | 6,501Top 3% |
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