M4 Max GPU vs RTX 4090
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | M4 Max GPU | RTX 4090 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3DMark Time Spy | 14,200 | 33,032 | -57.0% |
| Avg FPS @ 1080p | 115 | 240 | -52.1% |
| Avg FPS @ 1440p | 82 | 153 | -46.4% |
| Avg FPS @ 4K | 42 | 87 | -51.7% |
| VRAM | 128 GB Shared | 24 GB GDDR6X | — |
| Memory bandwidth (GB/s) | 546 | 1,008 | -45.8% |
| TDP (W) | 60 | 450 | — |
| Stable Diffusion (it/s) | 6.2 | 33.0 | -81.2% |
| LLM inference (tokens/s) | 34 | 80 | -57.5% |
- RTX 4090 averages 153 fps at 1440p versus 82 fps — about 46% faster.
- M4 Max GPU draws less power (60W vs 450W).
Verdict: M4 Max GPU or RTX 4090?
M4 Max GPU advantages
- Video memory (+81%)
- Power efficiency (+87%)
RTX 4090 advantages
- 1440p gaming (+46%)
- 4K gaming (+52%)
- Synthetic benchmark performance (+57%)
- Memory bandwidth (+46%)
- AI image generation (+81%)
- Local LLM inference (+58%)
Which should you choose?
- Choose the M4 Max GPU if you play the latest titles at high textures or do GPU-accelerated work.
- Choose the RTX 4090 if you game at 1440p.
- Choose the M4 Max GPU if you want lower power draw, heat and noise.
M4 Max GPU vs RTX 4090: which should you choose?
M4 Max GPU — Apple integrated graphics processor (2024, Brava Max) with 128 GB of Shared, averaging 82 fps at 1440p.
RTX 4090 — NVIDIA desktop graphics card (2022, Ada Lovelace) with 24 GB of GDDR6X, averaging 153 fps at 1440p; launched at $1,599.
M4 Max GPU vs RTX 4090: RTX 4090 is faster for gaming. RTX 4090 averages 153 fps at 1440p versus 82 fps — about 46% faster. M4 Max GPU draws less power (60W vs 450W).
1080p, 1440p and 4K
At 1440p — the most common enthusiast resolution — the RTX 4090 averages 153 fps against 82. At 4K (42 vs 87 fps) VRAM (128GB vs 24GB) and memory bandwidth matter more.
AI and creator workloads
Beyond gaming, the RTX 4090 is quicker for AI image generation (33.0 vs 6.2 it/s in Stable Diffusion) and local LLM inference (80 vs 34 tokens/s), which increasingly matters for creators and developers.
Power and value
Board power is 60 W versus 450 W, which affects PSU headroom, case cooling and noise.
The verdict
Both are credible choices in the graphics card comparison space; the specification table above lays out every metric so you can weigh the trade-offs that matter to you. Pick the one whose strengths line up with how you will actually use it.
Frequently asked questions
Is the M4 Max GPU better than the RTX 4090?
RTX 4090 takes the overall edge, though M4 Max GPU wins in specific areas worth weighing. RTX 4090 averages 153 fps at 1440p versus 82 fps — about 46% faster.
What is the main difference between the M4 Max GPU and the RTX 4090?
RTX 4090 averages 153 fps at 1440p versus 82 fps — about 46% faster. M4 Max GPU draws less power (60W vs 450W).
Which should I choose?
Choose the M4 Max GPU if you play the latest titles at high textures or do GPU-accelerated work. Choose the RTX 4090 if you game at 1440p.
Methodology
Graphics cards are compared on 3DMark Time Spy scores, average gaming frame rates at 1080p/1440p/4K, FP32 compute throughput, VRAM capacity and type, memory bandwidth, board power (TDP) and launch MSRP — plus AI workload throughput (Stable Diffusion iterations/s and local LLM tokens/s) where measured. Vintage and server GPUs without modern benchmark results are compared on specifications only, clearly labelled. Frame rates are averages across a game suite at high settings; specific titles vary.