M2 Max 38-Core Benchmarks

[scottrichardson]

My 14 inch just arrived. M2 Max 38 core, 64GB, 2TB.

Looks like 3.49 Ghz. But Metal benchmarks seem excellent.

(Repeat of message above with screenshots instead of link.)

View attachment 2150563 View attachment 2150564

thank you! This is exactly what I was waiting to see. That metal score has confirmed that it's up over 80k which is what I wanted to see from this device as I wanted a genuine improvement over my 27" 2020 iMac with 5700XT GPU. Next pay cheque, I'm ordering mine - and it will be the EXACT same config as yours... 38GPU/64GB/2TB.

Let us know if you get much fan noise?

 

[ultralightM2]

thank you! This is exactly what I was waiting to see. That metal score has confirmed that it's up over 80k which is what I wanted to see from this device as I wanted a genuine improvement over my 27" 2020 iMac with 5700XT GPU. Next pay cheque, I'm ordering mine - and it will be the EXACT same config as yours... 38GPU/64GB/2TB.

Let us know if you get much fan noise?

Haven't heard the fans once yet, although I haven't done much in the way of heavy workloads. Just the benchmarks.

 

[iMacDragon]

Just finished migrating, so far it does indeed seem 16" smaller max has same cpu limiter as 14", despite high power mode being available. This does feel.. odd.

Though I've yet to get 15k in multicore either, but that could be due to indexing etc.. will run later once system settles.

 

[iMacDragon]

Yep, another data point to confirm the apparent 30 core gpu being limited to 3.5ghz cpu max, even in high performance mode.

Single core 1969 multi 15289

Metal was something 75xxx

Mac14,6 - Geekbench

Benchmark results for a Mac14,6 with an Apple M2 Max processor.

browser.geekbench.com

 

[l0stl0rd]

Yep, another data point to confirm the apparent 30 core gpu being limited to 3.5ghz cpu max, even in high performance mode.

Single core 1969 multi 15289

Metal was something 75xxx

Mac14,6 - Geekbench

Benchmark results for a Mac14,6 with an Apple M2 Max processor.

browser.geekbench.com

I get pretty much the same on my 30 core (on battery).
Just got it today so nut sure if it was still indexing or not.
No change on battery with high power mode.

 

[mashinhead]

Best config then...?

 

[Beau10]

"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.

I don't think this advice really works out... if you're someone who *needs* power or can make the case that your experience will be materially improved in the here and now, you will be upgrading more often anyway.

If you're someone who doesn't but wants to be 'future-proofed', you're much better served by base models and refreshing 2-3x as often rather than blowing your load and selling early enough that your current machine has some reasonable resale value. You'll have a far more consistently great experience over time because you're get all sorts of tech advancements - whether it's processor power, screen technology, SSD speed, battery life, wifi/hdmi, etc, etc.

Most upgrades simply are terrible value unless you *need* them - ie. their cost is less than the dollars and cents having them earns you.

The notion of upgrading a machine to the hilt so it can last like 8+ years is some super weird tech pyrrhic victory of sorts.

 

[Appletoni]

if you have an existing M1 Max and really need more performance then the Studio Ultra is the best choice.

And that's the problem.
Apple forgot to offer the M1 Ultra in the MacBook Pro.

 

[MacDevil7334]

And that's the problem.
Apple forgot to offer the M1 Ultra in the MacBook Pro.

I can’t even begin to imagine all the posts about thermal throttling that would fill this forum if the Ultra chip was an option on the MacBook Pro. There’s a reason it needs a more robust heat sink even in the larger chassis of the Studio.

 

[mashinhead]

And that's the problem.
Apple forgot to offer the M1 Ultra in the MacBook Pro.

Because of heat?

 

[Crispe]

Is the difference in clock speed between the Max in the 16 vs 14 noticeable day to day do you think?
My most demanding program is Adobe After Effects. Cinema 4D/Blender I use sometimes.
I currently have an M1 Max Studio 24c 32gb of ram but considering switching to a MBP M2 Max with 64+ gb ram and larger SSD.

 

[iMacDragon]

Is the difference in clock speed between the Max in the 16 vs 14 noticeable day to day do you think?
My most demanding program is Adobe After Effects. Cinema 4D/Blender I use sometimes.
I currently have an M1 Max Studio 24c 32gb of ram but considering switching to a MBP M2 Max with 64+ gb ram and larger SSD.

Honestly doubt it, from what I can gather so far, it only even seems to show up in a few benchmarks clearly, and only in single core usage. Multicore seems to be about equal.

 

[Crispe]

Honestly doubt it, from what I can gather so far, it only even seems to show up in a few benchmarks clearly, and only in single core usage. Multicore seems to be about equal.

Thanks. Even at a lower speed it's still higher than the M1 Max I suppose.

 

[Appletoni]

I can’t even begin to imagine all the posts about thermal throttling that would fill this forum if the Ultra chip was an option on the MacBook Pro. There’s a reason it needs a more robust heat sink even in the larger chassis of the Studio.

There is no problem with the heat.
How many games do you know that absolutely need all GPU cores?
How many games do you know that need all 20 CPU cores at the same time? Most of them need 1-2 CPU cores.
How many games do you know that use 128 GB RAM at the limit?
How many games do you know that cause massive SSD accesses?
...
How many games do you know that do all this at the same time?
There will be no heat issues with games.

Only scientists and chess players (and a handful of exceptions) could run these devices at the limit.

That being said, if needed, heat is lowered by increasing fan speed.
Or by slower clocking cores.
Or by a mixture of everything.
And even then, the MacBook with M1 ULTRA will still be significantly faster than an M1 MAX.

For most buyers of an Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M1 ULTRA, there will never be anything even close to heat issues.

Additionally, Apple can easily:
-use a high-end thermal compound (easy).
-install better heatsinks (easy)
-improve the rotation speed of the fans (easy for Apple)
-improve fan noise (easy for Apple)
-improve the airflow of the fans (easy for Apple)
-use a better MacBook Pro case (medium difficulty for Apple)
-offer larger MacBook Pro enclosures in 18-inch and in 20-inch (easy for Apple)

 

[Appletoni]

Because of heat?

Even the Apple fanboys proved months ago that it can handle the best high-end Threadripper CPU.

 

[Crispe]

Is the difference in clock speed between the Max in the 16 vs 14 noticeable day to day do you think?
My most demanding program is Adobe After Effects. Cinema 4D/Blender I use sometimes.
I currently have an M1 Max Studio 24c 32gb of ram but considering switching to a MBP M2 Max with 64+ gb ram and larger SSD.

Ended up getting a 16" 38c / 96gb ram anyway. RIP my credit card. After Effects is an absolute prick so figured I'd better be safe than sorry.

 

[Mac3Duser]

Got the 14" M2 Max 38c/96 gb ram and battery life is around 14h maximum

 

[scottrichardson]

Got the 14" M2 Max 38c/96 gb ram and battery life is around 14h maximum

You happy with it? I’m about to buy one too. With 64GB RAM tho.

 

[Mac3Duser]

it's ok. I think battery life with intensive tasks is between 4h and 6h. It's pretty good. If you compare with PC. I took 96gb of ram because I am often around 88 gb with not too much apps open. Don't forget it is unified memory and not only ram, so the more you take, the better it is.

 

[dmccloud]

My 14" MBP (M2 Max 30 core, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) results (on battery):

1934/14884 (CPU)

75550 (Metal)

I still haven't gone through the system and made any optimizations yet (killing extraneous processes, turning off services I don't need running, etc.), so that might bump up my results by a bit.

 

[jshear]

My 14" MBP (M2 Max 30 core, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) results (on battery):

1934/14884 (CPU)

75550 (Metal)

I still haven't gone through the system and made any optimizations yet (killing extraneous processes, turning off services I don't need running, etc.), so that might bump up my results by a bit.

Similar to mine. We have same configuration

 

[Macalway]

I need to hear some fan stories about the new 14" Max before I buy one. My M1 14" could get loud. So either they have tweaked the whole thing (possible), or there might be some noise.

30 core gpu, sounds noisy on paper, but I'm sure it turns on what's needed. But then again, I'm not assuming anything.

 

[Beau10]

I need to hear some fan stories about the new 14" Max before I buy one. My M1 14" could get loud. So either they have tweaked the whole thing (possible), or there might be some noise.

30 core gpu, sounds noisy on paper, but I'm sure it turns on what's needed. But then again, I'm not assuming anything.

It's speculated the M2 Max has a beefed up cooling system. The spec weight is .1 lbs more which seems to indicate this, but there don't appear to be any teardowns yet.

 

[jshear]

It's speculated the M2 Max has a beefed up cooling system. The spec weight is .1 lbs more which seems to indicate this, but there don't appear to be any teardowns

Since I received mine I haven't heard any fan

 

[3Rock]

It's speculated the M2 Max has a beefed up cooling system. The spec weight is .1 lbs more which seems to indicate this, but there don't appear to be any teardowns yet.

These Youtubers opened it up and saw that the cooling system was not beefed up at all in the 14 inch and later on there’s another video of the 16 inch also was not beefed up.