Apple M1 Apple M3 (8-GPU)
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Apple M1 vs Apple M3 (8-GPU)

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The Apple M1 (codename M1), introduced in late 2020, aimed for efficient performance in Apple devices.

Manufactured using the 5 nm process, it integrates an 8-core CPU (four performance cores, four efficiency cores) and an 8-core GPU (Apple M1 (8 Core)). It features 16 MB of L2 cache and a maximum memory bandwidth of 68 GB/s. The Apple M3 (8-GPU) (codename M3), released in late 2023, focuses on improved performance and graphics.

It utilizes the more advanced 3 nm process, also with an 8-core CPU (four performance cores, four efficiency cores) and an 8-core GPU (Apple M3 (8 Core)). The M3 offers 20 MB of L2 cache and a maximum memory bandwidth of 102 GB/s. In single-core and multi-core tests, the Apple M3 (8-GPU) significantly outperforms the Apple M1, with over 10 percent higher values in all relevant benchmarks.

This results from architectural innovations and the more efficient 3 nm manufacturing process. For gaming scenarios, the Apple M3 (8-GPU) is superior due to its more advanced integrated graphics and higher memory bandwidth, enabling a smoother gaming experience. Both are known for high energy efficiency.

Thanks to the 3 nm process, the Apple M3 (8-GPU) offers even better performance per watt than the Apple M1, optimizing battery life and heat generation. Devices with the Apple M1 are more attractively priced and offer good value for money for everyday tasks.

The Apple M3 (8-GPU) is found in newer, higher-priced devices and provides top performance for demanding applications. Conclusion: The Apple M1 is ideal for budget-conscious users looking for an energy-efficient solution for daily tasks and moderate workloads. The Apple M3 (8-GPU) is recommended for users who need maximum performance for professional applications, multitasking, and gaming.

Apple M1

  • 5 nm manufacturing process
  • 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU
  • Good value for money
  • High energy efficiency

Apple M3 (8-GPU)

  • 3 nm manufacturing process
  • Significantly higher performance
  • Superior graphics performance
  • Optimized performance per watt

Performance Overview
Average performance across multiple benchmarks

Single-core performance
Rank 2 - 79 %
Apple M1
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
Multi-core performance
Rank 2 - 74 %
Apple M1
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
Cinebench 2026 Single-Thread

Cinebench 2026 Single-Thread
Single-core performance

Apple M1
Apple M1 75 %
8C / 8T · 3.20 GHz
419 pts
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C / 8T · 4.06 GHz
557 pts
Cinebench 2026 Multi-Core

Cinebench 2026 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M1
Apple M1 64 %
8C / 8T · 3.20 GHz
1,722 pts
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C / 8T · 4.06 GHz
2,672 pts
Cinebench 2024 Single-Core

Cinebench 2024 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M1
Apple M1 82 %
8C / 8T · 3.20 GHz
112 pts
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C / 8T · 4.06 GHz
137 pts
Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core

Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M1
Apple M1 77 %
8C / 8T · 3.20 GHz
509 pts
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C / 8T · 4.06 GHz
659 pts
Cinebench R23 Single-Core

Cinebench R23 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M1
Apple M1 76 %
8C / 8T · 3.20 GHz
1,503 pts
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C / 8T · 4.06 GHz
1,965 pts
Cinebench R23 Multi-Core

Cinebench R23 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M1
Apple M1 74 %
8C / 8T · 3.20 GHz
7,759 pts
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C / 8T · 4.06 GHz
10,437 pts
Geekbench 6 Single-Core

Geekbench 6 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M1
Apple M1 76 %
8C / 8T · 3.20 GHz
2,369
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C / 8T · 4.06 GHz
3,125
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core

Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M1
Apple M1 72 %
8C / 8T · 3.20 GHz
8,576
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C / 8T · 4.06 GHz
11,863
Geekbench 5, 64bit Single-Core

Geekbench 5, 64bit Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M1
Apple M1 81 %
8C / 8T · 3.20 GHz
1,742
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C / 8T · 4.06 GHz
2,150
Geekbench 5, 64bit Multi-Core

Geekbench 5, 64bit Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M1
Apple M1 73 %
8C / 8T · 3.20 GHz
7,650
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C / 8T · 4.06 GHz
10,450
iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

Apple M1
Apple M1 92 %
Apple M1 (8 Core)
2,610
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
Apple M3 (8 Core)
2,840
AI performance (NPU)

AI performance (NPU)

Apple M1
Apple M1 31 %
8C / 8T · 0.60 GHz
11.0 TOPS
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C / 8T · 0.70 GHz
35.0 TOPS

More benchmarks

At a glance

Wischen
Apple M1Apple M3 (8-GPU)
FamilyApple M series (38)Apple M series (38)
CPU groupApple M1 (9)Apple M3 (6)
ArchitectureM1M3
Technology5 nm3 nm
SegmentNotebookNotebook
Socket
PredecessorApple M2 (8-GPU)
SuccessorApple M2

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

Wischen
Apple M1Apple M3 (8-GPU)
CPU Cores / Threads8 / 88 / 8
Hyperthreading / SMT
Core architecturehybrid (big.LITTLE)hybrid (big.LITTLE)
Core Cluster 1: 4x Firestorm
0.60 - 3.20 GHz
4x Ibiza P-Core
0.70 - 4.06 GHz
Core Cluster 2: 4x Icestorm
0.60 - 2.06 GHz
4x Ibiza E-Core
0.74 - 2.75 GHz
L2-Cache16.00 MB20.00 MB
L3-Cache
Overclocking

Integrated graphics (iGPU)

Wischen
Apple M1Apple M3 (8-GPU)
GPU nameApple M1 (8 Core)Apple M3 (8 Core)
GPU frequency0.39 - 1.30 GHz0.39 - 1.40 GHz
CUs / Shader128 / 1024128 / 1024
Raytracing
Max. displays22
Max. GPU Memory8 GB24 GB
Technology5 nm3 nm
Release dateQ4/2020Q4/2023

NPU AI performance

Wischen
Apple M1Apple M3 (8-GPU)
AI hardwareApple Neural EngineApple Neural Engine
AI specifications16 Neural cores @ 11 TOPS16 Neural cores @ 35 TOPS
NPU + CPU + iGPU

Memory & PCIe

Wischen
Apple M1Apple M3 (8-GPU)
MemoryLPDDR4X-4266 (68.2 GB/s)
LPDDR5-6400 (102.4 GB/s)
Max. Memory16 GB24 GB
Memory channels22
ECCNoNo
PCIe4.04.0
PCIe Bandwidth

Thermal Management

Wischen
Apple M1Apple M3 (8-GPU)
TDP18 W22 W
TDP (PL2)
TDP up20 W
TDP down10 W10 W
T. junction max.100 °C

Technical details

Wischen
Apple M1Apple M3 (8-GPU)
Chip designMonolithicMonolithic
AES-NI
Operating systemsmacOSmacOS, iPadOS
Instruction setArmv8.5-A (64 bit)Armv8-A (64 bit)
ISA extensionsRosetta 2 x86-EmulationRosetta 2 x86-Emulation
Release dateQ4/2020Q4/2023
Release price
Documents

Your rating

Here you can rate one or both of the processors. The average rating of Apple M1 is 4.5 stars (770 ratings), while Apple M3 (8-GPU) has received 4.5 stars (130 ratings).

Click on the stars to rate one or both processors.

Apple M1
Apple M1
8C / 8T · 0.60 - 3.20 GHz
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C / 8T · 0.70 - 4.06 GHz

Most popular CPUs in both categories

Apple M1
Apple M1
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