Apple M4 Max (48GB) vs Apple M3 Max (48GB)
Side-by-side local AI comparison: VRAM, memory bandwidth, model compatibility, and estimated tokens per second across 110 open-weight models.
Quick verdict
Apple M4 Max (48GB) is faster for local AI inference, but only on memory bandwidth (36.5% more). Both GPUs have 48 GB VRAM and run the exact same 64 models natively; neither fits anything the other can't.
Specs comparison
| Spec | Apple M4 Max (48GB) | Apple M3 Max (48GB) |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM | 48 GB unified | 48 GB unified |
| Memory type | LPDDR5X | LPDDR5 |
| Bandwidth | 546 GB/s(+37%) | 400 GB/s |
| CPU cores | 16 (12P + 4E) | 16 (12P + 4E) |
| Architecture | Apple M4 Max | Apple M3 Max |
| Backend | METAL | METAL |
| Tier | Laptop | Laptop |
| Released | 2024 | 2023 |
| Models (native) | 64 | 64 |
Estimated tokens per second
Computed from memory bandwidth and model active-parameter weight. Assumes model fits natively in VRAM.
| Model | Apple M4 Max (48GB) | Apple M3 Max (48GB) | Delta |
|---|---|---|---|
| Llama 3.3 70B Instruct(70B) | 14.9 t/s(Q2_K) | 10.9 t/s(Q2_K) | +37% |
| Qwen 3.6 27B(27B) | 14.9 t/s(Q8_0) | 10.9 t/s(Q8_0) | +37% |
| Llama 3.1 8B Instruct(8B) | 25.6 t/s(BF16) | 18.7 t/s(BF16) | +37% |
| Qwen 2.5 7B Instruct(7.6B) | 27.9 t/s(BF16) | 20.4 t/s(BF16) | +37% |
Delta is Apple M4 Max (48GB) relative to Apple M3 Max (48GB), compared at the highest quantization that fits natively on both cards.
Only Apple M4 Max (48GB) can run(0)
No exclusive models: Apple M3 Max (48GB) can run everything Apple M4 Max (48GB) can.
Only Apple M3 Max (48GB) can run(0)
No exclusive models: Apple M4 Max (48GB) can run everything Apple M3 Max (48GB) can.
Both run natively(64)
These models fit in VRAM on both GPUs. Bandwidth determines which runs them faster.
- Qwen 2.5 72B Instruct14.5 t/svs10.6 t/s
- Llama 3.3 70B Instruct14.9 t/svs10.9 t/s
- DeepSeek R1 Distill Llama 70B14.9 t/svs10.9 t/s
- Llama 3.1 70B Instruct14.9 t/svs10.9 t/s
- Mixtral 8x7B Instruct v0.132.8 t/svs25.6 t/s
- Flint 40B (MoE)62.1 t/svs55.4 t/s
- Command-R 35B12.2 t/svs9 t/s
- Qwen 3.5 35B-A3B (MoE)67.5 t/svs58.8 t/s
- Qwen 3.6 35B-A3B (MoE)67.5 t/svs58.8 t/s
- Ornith 1.5 35B-A3B (MoE)67.5 t/svs58.8 t/s
- Yi 1.5 34B Chat14.4 t/svs10.6 t/s
- Nanbeige4.3 33B14.2 t/svs10.4 t/s
- Qwen3 32B15.5 t/svs11.3 t/s
- Qwen 2.5 32B Instruct15.2 t/svs11.1 t/s
- Qwen 2.5 Coder 32B Instruct15.2 t/svs11.1 t/s
- DeepSeek R1 Distill Qwen 32B15.2 t/svs11.1 t/s
- +48 more on both
Which should you choose?
- • Faster token generation is the priority
- • You want the newer architecture and longer driver support lifecycle
- • Price or availability decides it: Apple M3 Max (48GB) has no VRAM, bandwidth or backend advantage over Apple M4 Max (48GB)
Frequently asked questions
- Which is better for local AI, the Apple M4 Max (48GB) or Apple M3 Max (48GB)?
- For local AI inference, the Apple M4 Max (48GB) has the edge. It offers 48 GB VRAM (vs 48 GB) and 546 GB/s bandwidth (vs 400 GB/s), letting it run 64 models natively in VRAM vs 64 for its rival.
- How much VRAM does the Apple M4 Max (48GB) have vs the Apple M3 Max (48GB)?
- The Apple M4 Max (48GB) has 48 GB of LPDDR5X at 546 GB/s. The Apple M3 Max (48GB) has 48 GB of LPDDR5 at 400 GB/s. Both GPUs have the same VRAM amount; bandwidth determines which generates tokens faster.
- Can the Apple M4 Max (48GB) run Llama 3.3 70B?
- Yes. The Apple M4 Max (48GB) runs Llama 3.3 70B natively at Q2_K quantization at approximately 14.9 tokens per second.
- Can the Apple M3 Max (48GB) run Llama 3.3 70B?
- Yes. The Apple M3 Max (48GB) runs Llama 3.3 70B natively at Q2_K quantization at approximately 10.9 tokens per second.
- What is the difference between the Apple M4 Max (48GB) and Apple M3 Max (48GB) for AI?
- The key difference for AI inference is VRAM and memory bandwidth. The Apple M4 Max (48GB) has 48 GB VRAM at 546 GB/s (METAL backend). The Apple M3 Max (48GB) has 48 GB VRAM at 400 GB/s (METAL backend). VRAM determines which models fit; bandwidth determines tokens per second. The Apple M4 Max (48GB) runs 64 models natively vs 64 for the Apple M3 Max (48GB).