AMD Strix Halo (64GB) vs Apple M4 Max (64GB)
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 (64GB) is faster for local AI inference, but only on memory bandwidth (113.3% more). Both GPUs have 64 GB VRAM and run the exact same 70 models natively; neither fits anything the other can't. Note: AMD Strix Halo (64GB) uses VULKAN while Apple M4 Max (64GB) uses METAL; software ecosystem matters for your framework.
Specs comparison
| Spec | AMD Strix Halo (64GB) | Apple M4 Max (64GB) |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM | 64 GB unified | 64 GB unified |
| Memory type | LPDDR5X | LPDDR5X |
| Bandwidth | 256 GB/s | 546 GB/s(+113%) |
| CPU cores | 16-core Zen 5 (Ryzen AI Max+ 395), Radeon 8060S iGPU (40 CUs) | 16 (12P + 4E) |
| Architecture | RDNA 3.5 | Apple M4 Max |
| Backend | VULKAN | METAL |
| Tier | Laptop | Laptop |
| Released | 2025 | 2024 |
| Models (native) | 70 | 70 |
Estimated tokens per second
Computed from memory bandwidth and model active-parameter weight. Assumes model fits natively in VRAM.
| Model | AMD Strix Halo (64GB) | Apple M4 Max (64GB) | Delta |
|---|---|---|---|
| Llama 3.3 70B Instruct(70B) | 4.9 t/s(Q4_K_M) | 9.6 t/s(Q4_K_M) | -49% |
| Qwen 3.6 27B(27B) | 7.5 t/s(Q8_0) | 14.9 t/s(Q8_0) | -50% |
| Llama 3.1 8B Instruct(8B) | 12.9 t/s(BF16) | 25.6 t/s(BF16) | -50% |
| Qwen 2.5 7B Instruct(7.6B) | 14 t/s(BF16) | 27.9 t/s(BF16) | -50% |
Delta is AMD Strix Halo (64GB) relative to Apple M4 Max (64GB), compared at the highest quantization that fits natively on both cards.
Only AMD Strix Halo (64GB) can run(0)
No exclusive models: Apple M4 Max (64GB) can run everything AMD Strix Halo (64GB) can.
Only Apple M4 Max (64GB) can run(0)
No exclusive models: AMD Strix Halo (64GB) can run everything Apple M4 Max (64GB) can.
Both run natively(70)
These models fit in VRAM on both GPUs. Bandwidth determines which runs them faster.
- Ornith 1.5 122B (MoE)37.8 t/svs50.6 t/s
- Qwen 3.5 122B-A10B (MoE)37.8 t/svs50.6 t/s
- Nemotron 3.5 Super VL 120B-A12B27.4 t/svs33.4 t/s
- Llama 4 Scout 109B18.2 t/svs25.9 t/s
- GLM-4.5 Air 106B28.2 t/svs41.5 t/s
- GLM-4.6V 106B28.2 t/svs41.5 t/s
- Qwen 2.5 72B Instruct4.7 t/svs9.4 t/s
- Llama 3.3 70B Instruct4.9 t/svs9.6 t/s
- DeepSeek R1 Distill Llama 70B4.9 t/svs9.6 t/s
- Llama 3.1 70B Instruct4.9 t/svs9.6 t/s
- Mixtral 8x7B Instruct v0.117.4 t/svs29.6 t/s
- Flint 40B (MoE)45.8 t/svs57.2 t/s
- Command-R 35B4.6 t/svs9.1 t/s
- Qwen 3.5 35B-A3B (MoE)45.2 t/svs60.7 t/s
- Qwen 3.6 35B-A3B (MoE)45.2 t/svs60.7 t/s
- Ornith 1.5 35B-A3B (MoE)45.2 t/svs60.7 t/s
- +54 more on both
Which should you choose?
- • You want the newer architecture and longer driver support lifecycle
- • Faster token generation is the priority
- • You're on macOS and want native Metal acceleration (MLX, llama.cpp)
Frequently asked questions
- Which is better for local AI, the AMD Strix Halo (64GB) or Apple M4 Max (64GB)?
- For local AI inference, the Apple M4 Max (64GB) has the edge. It offers 64 GB VRAM (vs 64 GB) and 546 GB/s bandwidth (vs 256 GB/s), letting it run 70 models natively in VRAM vs 70 for its rival.
- How much VRAM does the AMD Strix Halo (64GB) have vs the Apple M4 Max (64GB)?
- The AMD Strix Halo (64GB) has 64 GB of LPDDR5X at 256 GB/s. The Apple M4 Max (64GB) has 64 GB of LPDDR5X at 546 GB/s. Both GPUs have the same VRAM amount; bandwidth determines which generates tokens faster.
- Can the AMD Strix Halo (64GB) run Llama 3.3 70B?
- Yes. The AMD Strix Halo (64GB) runs Llama 3.3 70B natively at Q4_K_M quantization at approximately 4.9 tokens per second.
- Can the Apple M4 Max (64GB) run Llama 3.3 70B?
- Yes. The Apple M4 Max (64GB) runs Llama 3.3 70B natively at Q4_K_M quantization at approximately 9.6 tokens per second.
- What is the difference between the AMD Strix Halo (64GB) and Apple M4 Max (64GB) for AI?
- The key difference for AI inference is VRAM and memory bandwidth. The AMD Strix Halo (64GB) has 64 GB VRAM at 256 GB/s (VULKAN backend). The Apple M4 Max (64GB) has 64 GB VRAM at 546 GB/s (METAL backend). VRAM determines which models fit; bandwidth determines tokens per second. The AMD Strix Halo (64GB) runs 70 models natively vs 70 for the Apple M4 Max (64GB).