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Here's How Much Faster M4 Pro/Max Are for Graphics vs. M3 Pro/Max

Apple's new M4 Pro and M4 Max chips are impressively fast in terms of CPU performance, topping the M2 Ultra, but what about graphics performance?

M3 Pro Max vs M4 Pro Max Feature
The first Geekbench 6 results for GPU performance are now available for the M4 Pro and M4 Max, and the Metal scores reveal some impressive year-over-year gains. Based on the Metal scores that are available so far, the M4 Pro and M4 Max are up to around 40% and 25% faster for graphics than the M3 Pro and M3 Max chips, respectively.

The new 16-inch MacBook Pro with the highest-end M4 Max with a 40-core GPU has up to 85% as fast graphics as the Mac Studio with the highest-end M2 Ultra chip with a 76-core GPU, despite having 36 fewer GPU cores, according to the results.

Here is a comparison of the average Metal scores:

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Top Rated Comments

21 months ago
I just ordered a 14" MacBook Pro M4 Max for browsing Macrumors and Reddit.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
EugW Avatar
21 months ago
M4 Ultra is gonna be an absolute monster.

I'll be overjoyed with "just" M4 though, as someone who does not have heavy GPU needs.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
21 months ago

Does the CPU or GPU affect the Media Engine? Are there any benchmarks on the differences comparing that amongst the models? FCPx I guess.
I expect CPU/GPU does matter during the rendering or creation of proxy files and actual editing process, but a big no for the end export. Based on ArtIsRight comparisons, the export time is basically the same across M1 through M3 Pro chips regardless of RAM/SSD because they all have the same video encoder/decoder. Only the Max and Ultra chips show an appreciable decrease in export time because of the extra encoder/decoder engines.



Attachment Image
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
21 months ago
That’s so impressive. Almost the performance of an M2 Ultra with far fewer cores. Can’t wait to see what the M4 ultra brings.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
21 months ago
Very tempted by these new MBPs but then I realize that over the past three years I have had my M1 Max MBP I can't recall a single time where I felt it's processing power was slowing down my workflow. I'm an architect who mostly uses AutoCAD and Sketchup but even with the most complex 3D model I work with I've never noticed any lag on orbiting it. Maybe I'll start using on device AI more and notice some difference but unless a new computer can gain me a few minutes of productivity every day it's not worth the expense.

The build quality on these MBPs is also superb, mine still looks and functions like brand new. Before my M1 Max MBP I used PC laptops and even so called "professional grade" ones like the Lenovo ThinkPad needing replacing about every two years just due to poor build quality.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
21 months ago
Throwing my M3 Pro Macbook Pro to the trash can now. j/k. As impressive as these upgrades are, I got mine for almost 500 off from what it typically goes in my country, and does everything I need instantly. Should serve me well for a few years
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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