M4 Max GPU vs L40S
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | M4 Max GPU | L40S | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3DMark Time Spy | 14,200 | 32,060 | -55.7% |
| Avg FPS @ 1080p | 115 | 234 | -50.9% |
| Avg FPS @ 1440p | 82 | 148 | -44.6% |
| Avg FPS @ 4K | 42 | 84 | -50.0% |
| VRAM | 128 GB Shared | 48 GB GDDR6 | — |
| Memory bandwidth (GB/s) | 546 | 864 | -36.8% |
| TDP (W) | 60 | 350 | — |
| Stable Diffusion (it/s) | 6.2 | 36.6 | -83.1% |
| LLM inference (tokens/s) | 34 | 53 | -35.8% |
- L40S averages 148 fps at 1440p versus 82 fps — about 45% faster.
- M4 Max GPU draws less power (60W vs 350W).
Verdict: M4 Max GPU or L40S?
M4 Max GPU advantages
- Video memory (+63%)
- Power efficiency (+83%)
L40S advantages
- 1440p gaming (+45%)
- 4K gaming (+50%)
- Synthetic benchmark performance (+56%)
- Memory bandwidth (+37%)
- AI image generation (+83%)
- Local LLM inference (+36%)
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 L40S if you game at 1440p.
- Choose the M4 Max GPU if you want lower power draw, heat and noise.
M4 Max GPU vs L40S: which should you choose?
M4 Max GPU — Apple integrated graphics processor (2024, Brava Max) with 128 GB of Shared, averaging 82 fps at 1440p.
L40S — NVIDIA desktop graphics card (2023, Ada Lovelace) with 48 GB of GDDR6, averaging 148 fps at 1440p.
M4 Max GPU vs L40S: L40S is faster for gaming. L40S averages 148 fps at 1440p versus 82 fps — about 45% faster. M4 Max GPU draws less power (60W vs 350W).
1080p, 1440p and 4K
At 1440p — the most common enthusiast resolution — the L40S averages 148 fps against 82. At 4K (42 vs 84 fps) VRAM (128GB vs 48GB) and memory bandwidth matter more.
AI and creator workloads
Beyond gaming, the L40S is quicker for AI image generation (36.6 vs 6.2 it/s in Stable Diffusion) and local LLM inference (53 vs 34 tokens/s), which increasingly matters for creators and developers.
Power and value
Board power is 60 W versus 350 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 L40S?
L40S takes the overall edge, though M4 Max GPU wins in specific areas worth weighing. L40S averages 148 fps at 1440p versus 82 fps — about 45% faster.
What is the main difference between the M4 Max GPU and the L40S?
L40S averages 148 fps at 1440p versus 82 fps — about 45% faster. M4 Max GPU draws less power (60W vs 350W).
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 L40S 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.