M2 Max 38-Core Benchmarks

[Adult80HD]

For those who are interested, my 16" 38-core M2 Max 96GB/4TB arrived on Friday and I've been running a few benchmarks to compare it to a 16" M1 Max 32-core 64GB/4TB. As one might expect, they are very similar in overall performance. This is a work expense for me so both will get used, I just needed a new one so I got the M2 Max.

 

[mashinhead]

confused. Where’s the comparison? These are all from the m2? Curious if you’re noticing any practical differences

 

[Adult80HD]

Same benchmarks for last year's M1 Max

 

[Adult80HD]

confused. Where’s the comparison? These are all from the m2? Curious if you’re noticing any practical differences

Took me a bit to get the second batch uploaded, I'll post a brief summary shortly

 

[lomahs]

For information only: Geekbench 5 Score for AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT Metal 188772

MacPro 2019, macOS 13.2 (Build 22D49)

 

[Adult80HD]

Right now I'm running a suite of tests in Adobe Lightroom 12.1; in general the results are about in line with what you would except based on Apple's claims and the bump in core count and core frequency. Across the board the performance bump ranges from 9% to 37% depending on the tasks and how much they use all of the cores, both CPU and GPU.

In actual usage, it basically feels the same; maybe a tiny bit snappier when browsing the library in Lightroom. That's also what I expected. I didn't buy this expecting a bump in performance; I needed an additional laptop and the M1 Max is going to be used by someone else. I'd suggest that if you've held off on getting Apple Silicon then go for it on this one; if you have an existing M1 Max and really need more performance then the Studio Ultra is the best choice.

Obviously if you want hard-core GPU performance than a MacPro remains the best choice by far, or just use a PC with an Nvidia card (we have both at work right now and the PC as annoying as it is to use is ideal for 3D rendering with the top of the line Nvidia cards).

 

[David1986H]

Can someone confirm if the 30 core and 38 core m2 max runs at different frequencies?

My m2 max with 30 cores runs at 3.49ghz, but I though the max chip was supposed to be 3.68ghz.

Im only getting 1900 sc and 14000 mc.

 

[SpitUK]

My 16” M2 Max 38 core GPU runs at 3.67GHz

 

[David1986H]

My 16” M2 Max 38 core GPU runs at 3.67GHz

well that sucks. That's another difference between the 30 and 38 core even though their both the max chips

 

[Adult80HD]

well that sucks. That's another difference between the 30 and 38 core even though their both the max chips

The published specs indicate that they can flex up and down between 3.3 and 3.7Ghz depending on the task. There's no difference between the 30 and 38-core models in that regard.

 

[SpitUK]

Have you tried running GB5 on power with the MagSafe?

 

[David1986H]

Have you tried running GB5 on power with the MagSafe?

Yes, its mostly plugged in most the time, although I do use aldente to keep it from sitting at 100%

Iv also try it in high power mode but still runs at 3.49. I guess it might keep it a bit cooler lol, jk.

 

[jshear]

My 14" M2 Max 30 cores runs @3.39GHZ

 

[David1986H]

My 14" M2 Max 30 cores runs @3.39GHZ

maybe that's due to the 14" having smaller fans etc.

 

[SpitUK]

I think the 14" is clocked lower this time. When I load GB5 my 16" shows 3.67GHz...

 

[SpitUK]

Has a 14" got above 2000 on the GB5 single score benchmark? Not sure I have seen one.

 

[David1986H]

This is the best I've got so far... 16" M2 max with 30 core

 

[mashinhead]

I'm having a hard time picking a machine config.

I'm leaning max for the memory bandwidth being larger. My current machine is 2TB and I've had it for 6 years. Prior to that though I was an upgrader every 1-2 years or so. I think I'm leaning 4TB but memory and processor I'm a little unsure about. Also looking at M1 refurb, hence the quesitons.

 

[daneoni]

I'm having a hard time picking a machine config.

I'm leaning max for the memory bandwidth being larger. My current machine is 2TB and I've had it for 6 years. Prior to that though I was an upgrader every 1-2 years or so. I think I'm leaning 4TB but memory and processor I'm a little unsure about. Also looking at M1 refurb, hence the quesitons.

"Always buy the most computer you can, when you can, with what you can."

That said, if you're coming from a 2013 MBP based on your signature. The M1 refurb is already a massive upgrade whilst saving you money. Even if you keep it for another 6yrs.

 

[SpitUK]

This is the best I've got so far... 16" M2 max with 30 core
View attachment 2149712View attachment 2149713

So looks like the 30 core is clocked lower as well.

 

[mashinhead]

"Always buy the most computer you can, when you can."

That said, if you're coming from a 2013 MBP based on your signature. The M1 refurb is already a massive upgrade whilst saving you money. Even if you keep it for another 6yrs.

My sigs a little old I have a 3.1ghz i7 from 2017. And to your quote. I maxxed that out at the time.

 

[SpitUK]

This is mine on battery power....

 

[daneoni]

My sigs a little old I have a 3.1ghz i7 from 2017. And to your quote. I maxxed that out at the time.

Ah i see.

I just got an M1 refurb, and i'm coming from a 2018 i7.

I'm super happy and satisfied with it. Whilst i could've pushed my budget for the M2 variant, i didn't think it was a sensible move to make. The M1 is already plenty for me, and the recent discounts post-M2 release made it a no-brainer.

 

[iMacDragon]

Definitely curious to see how this shakes out right now, it looks like

So looks like the 30 core is clocked lower as well.

Which would be rather underhanded of Apple on a product of this price.. it's possible at this stage it could be something firmware set that will get evened out in a patch, but I guess will start getting a better picture over next few days as a lot more people start getting their BTO machines.

I can understand doing it between 14" and 16" if they have, due to the different thermal management, but between the different 16"'s, that would be just crappy really.

 

[jshear]

I'm having a hard time picking a machine config.

I'm leaning max for the memory bandwidth being larger. My current machine is 2TB and I've had it for 6 years. Prior to that though I was an upgrader every 1-2 years or so. I think I'm leaning 4TB but memory and processor I'm a little unsure about. Also looking at M1 refurb, hence the quesitons.

I just went from a 2017 iMac Pro to a 14 Inch Macbook Pro with M2 Max 30 Cores with 32GB of Ram and 2 Apple Studio Displays and I couldn't be happier. This laptop seems faster than my old iMac Pro Intel W