The MacBook Pro M4 Max, equipped with a 16-core CPU and a 40-core GPU, demonstrates impressive performance in Blender, particularly when compared to high-end Nvidia GPUs like the RTX 4080 Super. In various tests, the M4 Max has shown it can render Blender projects faster than the RTX 3080 and even comes close to matching the performance of the RTX 4080 Super, which is a significant achievement considering the size and power consumption differences between these systems[2][3].
For instance, in a comparison involving the "Monster Under the Bed" scene, the RTX 4080 Super rendered it in about 22 seconds, while the M4 Max took around 34 seconds, beating the RTX 3080[3]. In another scene, "Lone Monk," the RTX 4080 Super rendered it in 1 minute and 58 seconds, with the M4 Max taking about 2 minutes and 27 seconds, again outperforming the RTX 3080[3].
The M4 Max's performance is also highlighted in real-world projects. A user reported a significant efficiency boost when using the M4 Max compared to a rig with an Nvidia 2080 Ti, achieving a 700% increase in efficiency on a specific project[1]. This level of performance is remarkable given that the M4 Max operates at a much lower power consumption compared to the RTX 4080 Super, which can draw up to 320 watts, whereas the M4 Max's power usage is significantly lower[2].
However, it's important to note that while the M4 Max is incredibly powerful for a laptop GPU, it still falls short of the top-tier desktop GPUs like the RTX 4090. The M4 Max is positioned between the RTX 4070 Super and the RTX 4090 in terms of performance, making it an excellent choice for those needing high-end graphics capabilities in a portable form factor[9].
Overall, the MacBook Pro M4 Max offers exceptional performance for 3D rendering tasks in Blender, making it a strong contender against high-end Nvidia GPUs, albeit at a premium price point[2][5].
Citations:[1] https://blenderartists.org/t/2024-macbook-pro-m4max-16-core-40-core-gpu-benchmarks-and-rendering-questions/1562711
[2] https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/m4-max-chip-beats-nvidia-gpu/
[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bZO1gbAc6Y
[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfvIgdzImt4
[5] https://www.theverge.com/24319419/apple-macbook-pro-m4-max-pro-review-price-specs
[6] https://linustechtips.com/topic/1595927-i-dont-understand-the-rtx-50-series-hype/
[7] https://9to5mac.com/2024/11/17/m4-max-blender-benchmark/
[8] https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/what-to-expect-from-apples-m4-ultra-chip-next-year.2441894/page-6
[9] https://www.reddit.com/r/blender/comments/1gnb5k9/blenders_benchmarks_rank_apples_m4_max/
[10] https://www.justjosh.tech/articles/m4-macbook-pros-ultimate-review-graphics-creative-tasks