Apple M2 Max 12 Core vs Category Average

Verdict

Our overall take, at a glance

Apple M2 Max 12 Core leads overall

Why it stands out

Core Specifications Base Frequency: 3.7 GHz
Core Specifications L1 Cache: 3,300 KB
Core Specifications Lithography Process: 5 nm

In-depth analysisAI

AI-generated from the cited sources — may be incomplete or inaccurate; verify important details before deciding · generated Jun 2026.

Apple M2 Max 12 Core

The Apple M2 Max is a high-performance System-on-a-chip designed for professional users and creative professionals. It functions as the central processing unit for demanding computing tasks, providing significant computational power across CPU, GPU, and NPU domains. This chip is intended for advanced applications that require intensive resource usage.

Best for video editingBest for 3D renderingBest for intensive design work

Pros

It features multiple core types, including high-performance and efficiency cores, allowing optimized task execution (1).
The M2 Max includes a substantial 38-core GPU, providing robust graphical processing capabilities (1).
It supports extremely fast LPDDR5 memory bandwidth of up to 200 GB/s (1).
The processor is designed for professional devices, supporting advanced codecs like 8K H.265 and ProRes (1).
Its larger level cache (48 MB) contributes to better data handling efficiency compared to lower-tier variants (1).

Cons

Functioning as an older generation chip relative to newer Apple silicon releases limits its peak performance ceiling compared to the latest models (1).
The complexity of its core structure, combining various high and low-power cores, may require specific software optimization for best performance (1).

Performance

Higher benchmark score = faster

Apple M2 Max 12 Core26,073

Category Average27,522

See the raw benchmark values →

Benchmark score — a measured indicator of raw performance, not a guarantee of real-world speed.

Detailed Specifications

The full spec sheet, side by side

Core Specifications

Feature	Apple M2 Max 12 Core	Category Average
Cores	12	14
Threads	12	25
Base Frequency	3.7 GHz	2.7 GHz
Base Power Consumption	79 W	86 W
Maximum Frequency	3.7 GHz	4.4 GHz
Maximum Power Consumption	79 W	108 W
L1 Cache	3,300 KB	911.5 KB
L2 Cache	36 MB	397.2 MB
L3 Cache	48 MB	1,190.2 MB
Lithography Process	5 nm	9 nm
Is unlocked	No	No

Integrated Graphics

Feature	Apple M2 Max 12 Core	Category Average
Model	N/A	N/A

Benchmark

Feature	Apple M2 Max 12 Core	Category Average
PassMark CPU Mark	26,073	27,522

Specification Note

Specifications are compiled from official manufacturer data and other reliable internet sources. Some features may vary by region or model configuration.

Feature

Apple M2 Max 12 Core

Category Average

Cores

Threads

Base Frequency

3.7 GHz

2.7 GHz

Base Power Consumption

79 W

86 W

Maximum Frequency

3.7 GHz

4.4 GHz

Maximum Power Consumption

79 W

108 W

L1 Cache

3,300 KB

911.5 KB

L2 Cache

36 MB

397.2 MB

L3 Cache

48 MB

1,190.2 MB

Lithography Process

5 nm

9 nm

Is unlocked

Feature

Apple M2 Max 12 Core

Category Average

Model

N/A

Feature

Apple M2 Max 12 Core

Category Average

PassMark CPU Mark

26,073

27,522

Apple M2 Max 12 Core vs Category Average

Verdict

Key takeaways

In-depth analysisAI

Apple M2 Max 12 Core

Performance

Detailed Specifications

Apple M2 Max 12 Core vs Category Average

Verdict

Key takeaways

In-depth analysisAI

Apple M2 Max 12 Core

Performance

Detailed Specifications