Apple M4 is the latest chip series for MacBook and Mac Mini. The M4 is an already powerful chip, however, it’s a base variant.
There is an even more powerful chip, M4 Pro, with more cores. Here, we have compared both chip variants in-depth with benchmarks and performance to determine which gives you better value for money.
Main Differences
- M4 Pro has a 4.52 GHz CPU Clock speed, while M4 has a 4.41 GHz CPU Clock speed.
- M4 is 6 months newer compared to the M4 Pro
- M4 Pro has 16 GPU Cores compared to M4 has 10 GPU Cores.
Specs Comparison
Before we take a look at benchmarks, let’s compare some specifications for both the CPUs.
| Apple M4 Pro | Apple M4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 12 | 10 |
| Performance Cores | 8 | 4 |
| Efficiency Cores | 4 | 6 |
| Threads | 12 | 10 |
| Performance Threads | 8 | 4 |
| Efficiency Threads | 4 | 6 |
| Base Clock Speed (Performance Core) | 4.52 GHz | 4.41 GHz |
| Base Clock Speed (Efficiency Core) | 2.59 GHz | 2.59 GHz |
| Instruction Set | ARMv9 | ARMv9 |
| Socket | Apple M-Socket | Apple M-Socket |
| L1 Cache | 192K/core | 192K/core |
| L2 Cache | 16MB(shared) | 16 MB(shared) |
| Multiplier | 44x | 44x |
| Fabrication Process | 3nm | 3nm |
| Transistors | – | 28 billion |
| TDP | 38 W | 22 W |
| Max Temperature | 100°C | 100°C |
| Integrated Graphics | Apple M4 Pro GPU | Apple M4 GPU |
| GPU Core | 16 | 10 |
| GPU Base Clock Speed | 500 MHz | 500 MHz |
| GPU Boost Clock Speed | 1800 MHz | 1800 MHz |
| Memory | LPDDR5X-8533 | LPDDR5X-7500 |
| Memory Size | 64 GB | 32 GB |
| Memory Channels | 4 | 4 |
| ECC Support | No | No |
| Release date | 29, October 2024 | 07, May 2024 |
Benchmarks
Now that we have compared basic specs, let’s compare some popular benchmark standards between these two CPUs to find out which one comes out on top in performance.
Passmark Single Core (Higher is Better)
- M4 Pro- 4640(+1%)
- M4 – 4601
PassMark Multi-Core (Higher is Better)
- M4 Pro – 33187(+36%)
- M4 – 24386
Geekbench 6 Single Core (Higher is Better)
- M4 Pro – 3815
- M4 – 3869(+1%)
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core (Higher is Better)
- M4 Pro – 20082(49%)
- M4 – 13460
Cinebench 2024 Single Core (Higher is Better)
- M4 Pro – 177(+59%)
- M4 – 111
Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core (Higher is Better)
- M4 Pro – 1628(+104%)
- M4 – 797
Productivity benchmark tests
If you are wondering how these chips compare to each other for productivity and content creation, like 3D design and video editing. Here, we are also sharing some productivity benchmarks with you.
Adobe After Effects (Higher is Better)
- M4 Pro – 1352(+43%)
- M4 – 943
Adobe Photoshop (Higher is Better)
- M4 Pro – 12303(+40%)
- M4 – 8755
Adobe Premiere Pro (Higher is Better)
- M4 Pro – 8877(83%)
- M4 – 4843
Price
The brand new Apple MacBook Pro(2024) with M4 Pro(12-Core) costs $1999, and the Lowest Price For Apple MacBook Pro(2024) with M4(10-Core) is $1400. So, the New Apple MacBook Pro 2023 is about 42% more expensive right now.
Note: Prices are at the time of creation of this comparison. It may not have been updated to the latest price when you are looking at this comparison.
Conclusion – Which one should you buy?
Now, it’s time to look at all the data and figure out which one is the best option for you. First up, the Apple MacBook Pro(2024) with M4 Pro(12-Core) is 42% more expensive. Regarding the traditional benchmarks, both chips’ performance is identical in single-core. However, for some reason, M4 Pro is 59% better in single-core performance of Cinebench 2024.
When it comes to multicore benchmarks. The M4 Pro(12-Core) significantly outperforms the M4 in every benchmark. On average, it performs around 40% better in multicore, and in Cinebench 2024, it performs almost 2X better than the M4(10-Core).
Now, speaking about productivity and content creation benchmarks, the same trend continues. The M4 Pro(12-Core) performs around 40% better compared to the M4(10-Core) in Photoshop and After Effects. For Premier Pro difference goes all the way up to 83%. If you are looking to edit videos, then, without a doubt, the Apple M4 Pro is a better choice.
In conclusion, the Apple M4 Pro(12-Core) may be more expensive compared to the M4(10-Core,) but it is very well worth it because of the performance gains and its better value for money. With that being said, the M4 isn’t exactly a weak chip, it just looks dull against the M4 Pro. If you are looking for something on a budget, then M4 isn’t a bad choice either. It has more than enough performance for all tasks.
