Apple M4 Max (16-core CPU) vs Core Ultra 7 265K: specs and benchmark comparison
BIntel · Arrow Lake
Intel Core Ultra 7 265K
- 20 cores / 20 threads
- up to 5.5 GHz
- LGA1851
October 24, 2024 · $394 at launch
Short verdict
Apple M4 Max (16-core CPU) leads in every scenario with comparable benchmarks: multi-thread performance. This does not imply an advantage in tasks without benchmarks.
Compare with AIMulti-thread performance
A +6.3%Apple M4 Max (16-core CPU) leads in this scenario (up to 6.3% in comparable benchmarks).
No comparable benchmarks yet: single-thread performance, gaming (cpu-bound scenarios), power efficiency.
Advantages
Only measured and rated values: a noticeable benchmark gap and specs where more is better.
Where Apple M4 Max (16-core CPU) is better0
No advantages found in our data.
Where Core Ultra 7 265K is better1
Cores 4 more20 (8P + 12E) vs 16 (12P + 4E)
Benchmarks
Results are compared within one benchmark, one version and the same conditions.
- 2.5% difference, within the threshold
Blender Benchmark 4.5.0
CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom · samples/min, higher is better
Apple M4 Max (16-core CPU)489.9 samples/minCore Ultra 7 265K478.1 samples/minPosition among tested models (89)
B · 478A · 4900200400600800Each dot is one model’s median in this benchmark. The scale starts at zero, samples/min. The 2.5% difference is below the noticeable threshold (5%).
About the measurement and source
- A · Apple M4 Max (16-core CPU)
489.9 samples/min · community measurement, sample 77 · November 14, 2026
Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation)
Median of 77 submissions (7 outliers excluded), interquartile range 481.09–494.79; submissions 2025-07-19 to 2026-03-09; CPU backend. Snapshot 2026-11-14.
- B · Intel Core Ultra 7 265K
478.1 samples/min · community measurement, sample 259 · November 14, 2026
Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation)
Median of 259 submissions (20 outliers excluded), interquartile range 461.67–491.45; submissions 2025-07-17 to 2026-06-08; CPU backend. Snapshot 2026-11-14.
difference = |A − B| ÷ the smaller value × 100%. The 5% noticeable threshold is a UX heuristic, not statistical significance.
Cycles render in Blender Benchmark. Median of the sum of samples per minute over three scenes after removing outliers.
Other comparable benchmarks (3)
| Benchmark | A | B | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blender Benchmark 4.2.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 482.3 | 465.4 | A +3.6% |
| Blender Benchmark 4.3.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 489.2 | 460 | A +6.3% |
| Blender Benchmark 4.4.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 486.3 | 468.3 | A +3.9% |
Each benchmark version has its own scale: numbers are compared only within a row.
Reference results (6)
| Benchmark | A | B | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blender Benchmark 5.1.1CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 470.2 | 520.7 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.2.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 463.9 | 482.1 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 4.0.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 479.4 | 537.2 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.0.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 486.4 | 449.8 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.1.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 456.1 | 537.4 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.3.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 422.4 | 514.6 | reference |
Each benchmark version has its own scale: numbers are compared only within a row.
Specifications
| Specification | A · Apple M4 Max (16-core CPU) | B · Core Ultra 7 265K | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cores and clocks | |||
| CoresCores of different types may differ in performance. | 16 (12P + 4E) | 20 (8P + 12E) | B: 4 more |
| Threads | no data | 20 | no data for A |
| Base clockFor hybrid Intel CPUs, the P-core base clock is shown. | no data | 3.9 GHz | no data for A |
| Max clock (Boost/Turbo) | no data | 5.5 GHz | no data for A |
| Cache | |||
| L2 cache | no data | 36 MB | no data for A |
| L3 cache | no data | 30 MB | no data for A |
| Platform | |||
| Socket | no data | LGA1851 | no data for A |
| Process node | 3 nm | no data | no data for B |
| Memory and interfaces | |||
| Memory type | Unified memory | DDR5 | differs |
| Memory channels | no data | 2 | no data for A |
| Official memory speedFor controllers that support two generations, the speed for the newer memory type is shown. | no data | 6,400 MT/s | no data for A |
| Max memory capacity | no data | 256 GB | no data for A |
| PCI Express | no data | PCIe 5.0 and 4.0, 24 lanes | no data for A |
| Integrated graphics | Apple M4 Max (32 / 40-core GPU) | Intel Graphics (4 Xe cores) | differs |
| Power | |||
| Processor Base Power (Intel) | no data | 125 W | no data for A |
| Maximum Turbo Power (Intel) | no data | 250 W | no data for A |
Cores and clocks
Cores
A16 (12P + 4E)
B20 (8P + 12E)
B: 4 moreCores of different types may differ in performance.
Threads
Ano data
B20
no data for ABase clock
Ano data
B3.9 GHz
no data for AFor hybrid Intel CPUs, the P-core base clock is shown.
Max clock (Boost/Turbo)
Ano data
B5.5 GHz
no data for A
Cache
L2 cache
Ano data
B36 MB
no data for AL3 cache
Ano data
B30 MB
no data for A
Platform
Socket
Ano data
BLGA1851
no data for AProcess node
A3 nm
Bno data
no data for B
Memory and interfaces
Memory type
AUnified memory
BDDR5
differsMemory channels
Ano data
B2
no data for AOfficial memory speed
Ano data
B6,400 MT/s
no data for AFor controllers that support two generations, the speed for the newer memory type is shown.
Max memory capacity
Ano data
B256 GB
no data for APCI Express
Ano data
BPCIe 5.0 and 4.0, 24 lanes
no data for AIntegrated graphics
AApple M4 Max (32 / 40-core GPU)
BIntel Graphics (4 Xe cores)
differs
Power
Processor Base Power (Intel)
Ano data
B125 W
no data for AMaximum Turbo Power (Intel)
Ano data
B250 W
no data for A
“More” does not always mean “better”: higher power draw or size is a system requirement, not an advantage (such bars are dimmed).
Compare with AI
An AI model reviews the specs and benchmarks of this pair and gives a plain-language verdict on who each model suits.
Questions and answers
Do these CPUs have integrated graphics?
Apple M4 Max (16-core CPU): Apple M4 Max (32 / 40-core GPU). Intel Core Ultra 7 265K: Intel Graphics (4 Xe cores).
Which is faster: Apple M4 Max (16-core CPU) or Intel Core Ultra 7 265K?
Apple M4 Max (16-core CPU) leads in every scenario with comparable benchmarks: multi-thread performance. This does not imply an advantage in tasks without benchmarks.
See also
Data sources (4)
- Apple — specifications of Apple M4 Max (16-core CPU)checked November 14, 2026
- Intel — specifications of Intel Core Ultra 7 265Kchecked November 7, 2026
- Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation) — benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.5.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.1.1, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.0.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.3.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.4.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.0.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.1.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.3.0checked November 14, 2026
- Wikipedia (English) — release date and launch pricechecked November 14, 2026
How we compare: methodology. Where the data comes from: sources.