Apple 16-inch M1 Max MacBook Pro test: exceptional graphics performance

Apart from a few elements related to its SoC, the 16-inch MacBook Pro equipped with the M1 Max chip is identical to the 16-inch MacBook Pro M1 Pro that we tested recently. We have therefore carried out our usual performance tests to analyze the differences and we refer you to the M1 Pro test for all other aspects of the computer (construction, screen, audio and autonomy)

The M1 Max passed in our lab integrates 10 CPU cores (like the M1 Pro), but 32 GPU cores (double the M1 Pro therefore), which should ensure much better performance in certain applications. In addition to this, our test model is equipped with 64 GB of RAM, which will only have an impact during really heavy photo or video processing in professional use, 32 GB being sufficient for most users.

In fact – and despite a memory bandwidth doubled compared to that of the M1 Pro – the results of our synthetic and application tests are extremely similar to those of the M1 Pro at the processor level. Impossible to really stand out on that side therefore, and the 32 GPU cores of the M1 Max will only be felt on software where hardware acceleration is available.

The CPU + GPU ratings of the M1 Pro and M1 Max are also very close, but this is due to the choice of designer software that we use in our test protocol. Indeed, for 3D rendering, Blender is not yet optimized to work with the GPU cores of the M1 and their rating suffers. The version 3.1 of the software, which should be released by early 2022, will however correct this problem. It is in video processing on Adobe Premiere that the M1 Max shows its qualities: it was extremely fast, much faster than the M1 Pro or the PCs equipped with Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 graphics cards that we tested. Video processing time with the M1 Max was almost halved (decreased by 44% to be exact); a great feat.

For science, we also launched the benchmark integrated into the game Shadow of the Tomb Raider in 1920 x 1200, graphics set to “very high”. When the M1 Pro averaged 47 fps, the M1 Max came in at 85 fps. An impressive result for a computer that does not have a dedicated graphics card. On the same test carried out with a Dell computer equipped with a GeForce RTX 3060 (70 W), we noted 89 fps. Obviously, MacBooks are not intended for gaming, and Nvidia’s RTX allows raytracing and DLSS technologies to be used, but the raw performance is still comparable.

The MacBook Pro M1 Max is ultimately not for everyone. Only users of graphics, video or photo software that integrate hardware acceleration will be able to take advantage of the extra GPU cores that the chip has compared to the M1 Pro. In this case, our tests show performance that is nearly 80% higher; results which could vary from one software to another of course, but which offer significant gains for professionals.