Apple M2 Ultra (60-GPU) | Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) | |
CPU comparisonApple M2 Ultra (60-GPU) or Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) - which processor is faster? In this comparison we look at the differences and analyze which of these two CPUs is better. We compare the technical data and benchmark results.
The Apple M2 Ultra (60-GPU) has 24 cores with 24 threads and clocks with a maximum frequency of 3.50 GHz. Up to 192 GB of memory is supported in 8 memory channels. The Apple M2 Ultra (60-GPU) was released in Q2/2023. The Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) has 16 cores with 16 threads and clocks with a maximum frequency of 4.06 GHz. The CPU supports up to 128 GB of memory in 4 memory channels. The Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) was released in Q4/2023. |
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Apple M series (25) | Family | Apple M series (25) |
Apple M2 (8) | CPU group | Apple M3 (6) |
2 | Generation | 3 |
M2 | Architecture | M3 |
Mobile | Segment | Mobile |
Apple M1 Ultra (48-GPU) | Predecessor | Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) |
-- | Successor | -- |
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CPU Cores and Base FrequencyThe Apple M2 Ultra (60-GPU) has 24 CPU cores and can calculate 24 threads in parallel. The clock frequency of the Apple M2 Ultra (60-GPU) is 0.66 GHz (3.50 GHz) while the Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) has 16 CPU cores and 16 threads can calculate simultaneously. The clock frequency of the Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) is at 0.70 GHz (4.06 GHz). |
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Apple M2 Ultra (60-GPU) | Characteristic | Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) |
24 | Cores | 16 |
24 | Threads | 16 |
hybrid (big.LITTLE) | Core architecture | hybrid (big.LITTLE) |
No | Hyperthreading | No |
No | Overclocking ? | No |
0.66 GHz (3.50 GHz) 16x Avalanche |
A-Core | 0.70 GHz (4.06 GHz) 12x P-Core |
0.60 GHz (2.42 GHz) 8x Blizzard |
B-Core | 0.74 GHz (2.75 GHz) 4x E-Core |
Artificial Intelligence and Machine LearningProcessors with the support of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can process many calculations, especially audio, image and video processing, much faster than classic processors. Algorithms for ML improve their performance the more data they have collected via software. ML tasks can be processed up to 10,000 times faster than with a classic processor. |
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Apple M2 Ultra (60-GPU) | Characteristic | Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) |
Apple Neural Engine | AI hardware | Apple Neural Engine |
32 Neural cores @ 31.6 TOPS | AI specifications | 16 Neural cores @ 35 TOPS |
Internal GraphicsThe Apple M2 Ultra (60-GPU) or Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short. The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die. |
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Apple M2 Ultra (60 Core) | GPU | Apple M3 Max (40 Core) |
0.45 GHz | GPU frequency | 0.39 GHz |
1.40 GHz | GPU (Turbo) | 1.40 GHz |
2 | GPU Generation | -- |
5 nm | Technology | 3 nm |
8 | Max. displays | 5 |
960 | Compute units | 640 |
7680 | Shader | 5120 |
No | Hardware Raytracing | Yes |
No | Frame Generation | No |
192 GB | Max. GPU Memory | 128 GB |
-- | DirectX Version | -- |
Hardware codec supportA photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos. |
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Apple M2 Ultra (60 Core) | GPU | Apple M3 Max (40 Core) |
Decode / Encode | Codec h265 / HEVC (8 bit) | Decode / Encode |
Decode / Encode | Codec h265 / HEVC (10 bit) | Decode / Encode |
Decode / Encode | Codec h264 | Decode / Encode |
Decode / Encode | Codec VP9 | Decode / Encode |
Decode | Codec VP8 | Decode |
No | Codec AV1 | Decode |
Decode | Codec AVC | Decode |
Decode | Codec VC-1 | Decode |
Decode / Encode | Codec JPEG | Decode / Encode |
Memory & PCIeThe Apple M2 Ultra (60-GPU) can use up to 192 GB of memory in 8 memory channels. The maximum memory bandwidth is 819.1 GB/s. The Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) supports up to 128 GB of memory in 4 memory channels and achieves a memory bandwidth of up to 409.6 GB/s. |
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Apple M2 Ultra (60-GPU) | Characteristic | Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) |
LPDDR5-6400 | Memory | LPDDR5-6400 |
192 GB | Max. Memory | 128 GB |
8 (Octa Channel) | Memory channels | 4 (Quad Channel) |
819.1 GB/s | Max. Bandwidth | 409.6 GB/s |
No | ECC | No |
72.00 MB | L2 Cache | 36.00 MB |
-- | L3 Cache | -- |
4.0 | PCIe version | 4.0 |
64 | PCIe lanes | -- |
126.0 GB/s | PCIe Bandwidth | -- |
Thermal ManagementThe thermal design power (TDP for short) of the Apple M2 Ultra (60-GPU) is 80 W, while the Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) has a TDP of 57 W. The TDP specifies the necessary cooling solution that is required to cool the processor sufficiently. |
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Apple M2 Ultra (60-GPU) | Characteristic | Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) |
80 W | TDP (PL1 / PBP) | 57 W |
-- | TDP (PL2) | -- |
-- | TDP up | -- |
-- | TDP down | -- |
100 °C | Tjunction max. | 100 °C |
Technical detailsThe Apple M2 Ultra (60-GPU) is manufactured in 5 nm and has 72.00 MB cache. The Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) is manufactured in 3 nm and has a 36.00 MB cache. |
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Apple M2 Ultra (60-GPU) | Characteristic | Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) |
5 nm | Technology | 3 nm |
Chiplet | Chip design | Chiplet |
Armv8.5-A (64 bit) | Instruction set (ISA) | Armv8-A (64 bit) |
Rosetta 2 x86-Emulation | ISA extensions | Rosetta 2 x86-Emulation |
-- | Socket | -- |
Apple Virtualization Framework | Virtualization | Apple Virtualization Framework |
Yes | AES-NI | Yes |
macOS, iPadOS | Operating systems | macOS, iPadOS |
Q2/2023 | Release date | Q4/2023 |
-- | Release price | -- |
show more data | show more data | |
Apple M2 Ultra (60-GPU)
24C 24T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 4.06 GHz |
Apple M2 Ultra (60-GPU)
24C 24T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 4.06 GHz |
Apple M2 Ultra (60-GPU)
24C 24T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 4.06 GHz |
Apple M2 Ultra (60-GPU)
24C 24T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 3.60 GHz |
Apple M2 Ultra (60-GPU)
24C 24T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 4.06 GHz |
Apple M2 Ultra (60-GPU)
24C 24T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 3.60 GHz |
Apple M2 Ultra (60-GPU)
24C 24T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 4.06 GHz |
Apple M2 Ultra (60-GPU)
24C 24T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 3.60 GHz |
Apple M2 Ultra (60-GPU)
Apple M2 Ultra (60 Core) @ 1.40 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
Apple M3 Max (40 Core) @ 1.40 GHz |
Apple M2 Ultra (60-GPU)
28,570 CB R23 MC @ 80 W |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
24,028 CB R23 MC @ 57 W |
Apple M2 Ultra (60-GPU)
24C 24T @ 0.66 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 0.70 GHz |
Apple M2 Ultra (60-GPU)
24C 24T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 4.06 GHz |
Apple M2 Ultra (60-GPU)
24C 24T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 3.60 GHz |
Apple M2 Ultra (60-GPU)
24C 24T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 3.60 GHz |
Apple M2 Ultra (60-GPU)
24C 24T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 4.06 GHz |
Apple M2 Ultra (60-GPU)
24C 24T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 3.60 GHz |
Devices using this processor |
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Apple M2 Ultra (60-GPU) | Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) |
Unknown | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) |