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AMD Instinct MI210 vs Apple M1 Max 32-Core GPU: Comparison
AMD Instinct MI210 vs Apple M1 Max 32-Core GPU memory bandwidth compared
Memory bandwidth is where these two genuinely part company, AMD Instinct MI210 1600 GB/s against Apple M1 Max 32-Core GPU 400 GB/s, a 75% lead for AMD Instinct MI210.
AMD Instinct MI210 vs Apple M1 Max 32-Core GPU: which one fits your build
The AMD Instinct MI210 suits double-precision workloads that don't need MI250X-level throughput, though it is not the pick for any desktop or workstation build - compute-only, no display output and maximum-throughput HPC nodes (use MI250X instead). It also earns its place with HPC and AI deployments in standard PCIe-slot servers without OAM sled support. it is not built for native Windows gaming or any CUDA-dependent software. It is equally the pick for professional video editors still on a 2021-era MacBook Pro doing Final Cut Pro or DaVinci Resolve work. It is not the one for workloads that need hardware-accelerated ray tracing, which Apple didn't add to its GPUs until the M3 generation. Our rating of the AMD Instinct MI210 (7.3/10): A practical, PCIe-slot-friendly way to get CDNA 2 compute into a standard server, useful for smaller HPC and AI deployments, but clearly the entry point of its generation next to the dual-die MI250X and now well behind the MI300 series. Our rating of the Apple M1 Max 32-Core GPU (7.2/10): the GPU that established Apple's professional laptop graphics credibility; still capable for Metal-native creative work today, but lacking the ray tracing and AI acceleration Apple added starting with M3.
Frequently asked questions
Do the AMD Instinct MI210 and Apple M1 Max 32-Core GPU differ on gpu brand?
Yes. GPU Brand reads AMD on the AMD Instinct MI210 versus Apple on the Apple M1 Max 32-Core GPU.
Is the Ray Tracing Support the same on the AMD Instinct MI210 and Apple M1 Max 32-Core GPU?
It is. Both are listed at No, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
GPU Brand
- AMD Instinct MI210
- AMD
- Apple M1 Max 32-Core GPU
- Apple
Series
- AMD Instinct MI210
- Instinct MI200
- Apple M1 Max 32-Core GPU
- Apple Silicon
Tier
- AMD Instinct MI210
- Datacenter / AI Accelerator
- Apple M1 Max 32-Core GPU
- High End
Memory Type
- AMD Instinct MI210
- HBM2E
- Apple M1 Max 32-Core GPU
- Unified LPDDR5Best
Ray Tracing Support
- AMD Instinct MI210
- No
- Apple M1 Max 32-Core GPU
- No
Architecture
- AMD Instinct MI210
- CDNA 2 (single Graphics Compute Die)
- Apple M1 Max 32-Core GPU
- Apple Silicon
Process Node
- AMD Instinct MI210
- TSMC 6nm
- Apple M1 Max 32-Core GPU
- 5nm (TSMC N5)
Memory Bandwidth
- AMD Instinct MI210
- 1600 GB/sBest
- Apple M1 Max 32-Core GPU
- 400 GB/s-75%
PCIe Generation
- AMD Instinct MI210
- PCIe 4.0 x16
- Apple M1 Max 32-Core GPU
- Not Applicable
Which one should you pick?
Choose AMD Instinct MI210 if you want the higher memory bandwidth (1600 GB/s vs 400 GB/s).
Choose Apple M1 Max 32-Core GPU if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Verdict
AMD Instinct MI210
7.3 / 10 Expert Rating
A practical, PCIe-slot-friendly way to get CDNA 2 compute into a standard server, useful for smaller HPC and AI deployments, but clearly the entry point of its generation next to the dual-die MI250X and now well behind the MI300 series.
Apple M1 Max 32-Core GPU
7.2 / 10 Expert Rating
The GPU that established Apple's professional laptop graphics credibility; still capable for Metal-native creative work today, but lacking the ray tracing and AI acceleration Apple added starting with M3.