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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesIn a November 1, 2024 comparison of Geekbench 6 Metal results, the M4 Pro scored about 40% higher than the M3 Pro, while the M4 Max scored about 23% higher than the M3 Max. MacRumors described the gains as “up to around 40% and 25%,” respectively. The M4 Max figure is especially tentative: it was based on just two submitted results, and the comparison was not a controlled test of identical computers.
Geekbench 6 Metal results: M4 Pro vs. M3 Pro and M4 Max vs. M3 Max
MacRumors reported the following average Geekbench 6 Metal scores on November 1, 2024. Metal is Apple’s graphics API, and Geekbench Browser scores are drawn from submitted benchmark results.
| Comparison | GPU configuration | Reported average score | Results in the comparison | Difference between reported averages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M4 Pro vs. M3 Pro | M4 Pro: 20-core GPU; M3 Pro: 18-core GPU | M4 Pro: 110,556; M3 Pro: 78,681 | M4 Pro: 10; M3 Pro: more than 4,000 | M4 Pro scored about 40.5% higher |
| M4 Max vs. M3 Max | Both: 40-core GPU | M4 Max: 190,329; M3 Max: 154,860 | M4 Max: 2; M3 Max: more than 6,000 | M4 Max scored about 22.9% higher |
These figures are MacRumors’ reported averages, not scores from a single standardized lab run. The M4 Pro result came from a Mac mini, while the comparison M3 Pro result came from a MacBook Pro, so even that tier comparison does not hold the computer chassis constant. The sample sizes also differ sharply. The two-result M4 Max figure is too small to treat as a stable estimate of typical performance.
What the percentage gains do—and do not—tell you
The score differences indicate how these sets of Geekbench 6 Metal submissions compared at the time of MacRumors’ report. They do not mean that every game, 3D renderer, video effect, or other graphics task will run 40% faster on M4 Pro or 23% faster on M4 Max. Application performance depends on the software, workload, computer configuration, and other system factors. The cited results do not provide controlled, same-application tests across all four chips.
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#1 Best Overall
- SUPERCHARGED BY M4 PRO OR M4 MAX — The 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M4 Pro or M4 Max chip gives you outrageous performance in a powerhouse laptop built for Apple Intelligence.* With all-day battery life and a breathtaking Liquid Retina XDR display with up to 1600 nits peak brightness, it’s pro in every way.*
- CHAMPION CHIPS — The M4 Pro chip blazes through demanding tasks like compiling millions of lines of code. M4 Max can handle the most challenging workflows, like rendering intricate 3D content.
- BUILT FOR APPLE INTELLIGENCE—Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data—not even Apple.*
- ALL-DAY BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Pro delivers the same exceptional performance whether it’s running on battery or plugged in.
- APPS FLY WITH APPLE SILICON — All your favorites, including Microsoft 365 and Adobe Creative Cloud, run lightning fast in macOS.*
Geekbench Browser results are user-submitted, and the database can change as new results are added. Use the November 2024 comparison as a dated benchmark snapshot, not as a current all-app ranking.
How Apple describes the M4 graphics changes
Apple’s October 30, 2024 M4 Pro and M4 Max announcement says the M4 family GPU builds on the previous generation’s graphics architecture, with faster cores and a ray-tracing engine Apple describes as twice as fast. Apple executive Johny Srouji, senior vice president of Hardware Technologies, said: “The GPUs build on the breakthrough graphics architecture introduced in the previous generation, with faster cores and a 2x faster ray-tracing engine.” This is Apple’s characterization of its architecture, not an independent measurement of performance in particular applications.
Rank #2
- Apple M4 Max chip delivers exceptional performance for advanced workflows, including AI development, 3D rendering, video production, software engineering, and professional content creation.
- 48GB unified memory enables seamless multitasking and efficient handling of large datasets, complex projects, virtual machines, and resource-intensive applications.
- 1TB SSD storage provides ultra-fast boot times, rapid file access, and ample space for professional software, media libraries, and large project files.
- 16-inch Liquid Retina XDR display features exceptional brightness, deep contrast, P3 wide color, and remarkable detail for color-critical creative and professional work.
- Advanced camera, studio-quality microphones, and immersive six-speaker audio system enhance video conferencing, content creation, and entertainment experiences.
Apple lists M4 Pro configurations with up to 20 GPU cores and up to 273 GB/s memory bandwidth, and M4 Max configurations with up to 40 GPU cores and up to 546 GB/s. For the 2023 14-inch MacBook Pro, Apple lists M3 Pro configurations with up to 18 GPU cores. Its M3 Max options include a 30-core GPU with 300 GB/s bandwidth and a 40-core GPU with 400 GB/s. The reported comparisons are specifically between 20-core and 18-core Pro GPUs, and between 40-core Max GPUs; “Pro versus Pro” and “Max versus Max” are more informative than comparing the tiers as if they were interchangeable.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to take away if you are choosing a MacBook Pro
The historical benchmark comparison points to a substantial M4 Pro advantage in Geekbench 6 Metal, while its M4 Max result suggests a smaller lead but rests on only two M4 Max submissions. Neither percentage alone establishes how much faster a specific app or game will be. For a decision based on a particular workload, look for benchmarks of that application on the exact configurations you are considering.
Rank #3
- SUPERCHARGED BY M4 PRO OR M4 MAX — The 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M4 Pro or M4 Max chip gives you outrageous performance in a powerhouse laptop built for Apple Intelligence.* With all-day battery life and a breathtaking Liquid Retina XDR display with up to 1600 nits peak brightness, it’s pro in every way.*
- CHAMPION CHIPS — The M4 Pro chip blazes through demanding tasks like compiling millions of lines of code. M4 Max can handle the most challenging workflows, like rendering intricate 3D content.
- BUILT FOR APPLE INTELLIGENCE—Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data—not even Apple.*
- ALL-DAY BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Pro delivers the same exceptional performance whether it’s running on battery or plugged in.
- APPS FLY WITH APPLE SILICON — All your favorites, including Microsoft 365 and Adobe Creative Cloud, run lightning fast in macOS.*
Apple’s technical specifications identify MacBook Pro configurations with these chips, but do not establish current pricing or availability. The benchmark comparison itself was published in 2024 and should not be read as a fresh ranking of every current Mac configuration.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- SUPERCHARGED BY M4 PRO OR M4 MAX — The 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M4 Pro or M4 Max chip gives you outrageous performance in a powerhouse laptop built for Apple Intelligence.* With all-day battery life and a breathtaking Liquid Retina XDR display with up to 1600 nits peak brightness, it’s pro in every way.*
- CHAMPION CHIPS — The M4 Pro chip blazes through demanding tasks like compiling millions of lines of code. M4 Max can handle the most challenging workflows, like rendering intricate 3D content.
- BUILT FOR APPLE INTELLIGENCE—Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data—not even Apple.*
- ALL-DAY BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Pro delivers the same exceptional performance whether it’s running on battery or plugged in.
- APPS FLY WITH APPLE SILICON — All your favorites, including Microsoft 365 and Adobe Creative Cloud, run lightning fast in macOS.*
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