Apple M1 Max (24-GPU) Apple M3
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Apple M1 Max (24-GPU) vs Apple M3

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The Apple M1 Max (24-GPU) and the Apple M3 are powerful processors from Apple.

The Apple M1 Max (24-GPU), introduced in late 2021, targets professionals for graphics-intensive tasks. It uses the 5 nm process, integrates an Apple M1 Max (24 Core) GPU with 28 MB L2 cache, PCI Express 4.0, and 410 GB/s memory bandwidth, enabling good AI performance. The Apple M3, unveiled in late 2023, is aimed at a broader audience and offers high efficiency.

It is manufactured using the 3 nm process, integrates an Apple M3 (10 Core) GPU with 20 MB L2 cache, PCI Express 4.0, and 102 GB/s memory bandwidth. Performance tests show: The Apple M3 has higher single-core performance. However, the M1 Max (24-GPU) retains a significant multi-core lead.

For gaming, the M1 Max (24-GPU) is superior thanks to its stronger GPU and high memory bandwidth; the M3 is sufficient for casual gaming. Regarding energy efficiency, the Apple M3 is more economical due to its 3 nm process. The M1 Max (24-GPU) requires more power due to its higher performance.

In terms of price, the M1 Max (24-GPU) was a high-end product, while the M3 offers a strong price-performance ratio in the mainstream segment. In summary, the Apple M1 Max (24-GPU) is ideal for professionals who need maximum graphics and multi-core performance. The Apple M3 is better suited for users seeking excellent single-core performance, high efficiency, and balanced overall performance for everyday use.

Apple M1 Max (24-GPU)

  • Strong multi-core performance
  • Superior graphics thanks to Apple M1 Max (24 Core) GPU
  • High memory bandwidth of 410 GB/s, good AI performance
  • 5 nm manufacturing process

Apple M3

  • Significantly higher single-core performance
  • High energy efficiency due to 3 nm process
  • Balanced performance for everyday use
  • More modern M3 architecture

Performance Overview
Average performance across multiple benchmarks

Single-core performance
Rank 2 - 80 %
Apple M1 Max (24-GPU)
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M3
Multi-core performance
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M1 Max (24-GPU)
Rank 2 - 86 %
Apple M3
Cinebench 2026 Single-Thread

Cinebench 2026 Single-Thread
Single-core performance

Apple M1 Max (24-GPU)
10C / 10T · 3.20 GHz
438 pts
Apple M3
Apple M3 100 %
8C / 8T · 4.06 GHz
557 pts
Cinebench 2026 Multi-Core

Cinebench 2026 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M1 Max (24-GPU)
10C / 10T · 3.20 GHz
3,135 pts
Apple M3
Apple M3 85 %
8C / 8T · 4.06 GHz
2,672 pts
Cinebench 2024 Single-Core

Cinebench 2024 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M1 Max (24-GPU)
10C / 10T · 3.20 GHz
112 pts
Apple M3
Apple M3 100 %
8C / 8T · 4.06 GHz
137 pts
Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core

Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M1 Max (24-GPU)
10C / 10T · 3.20 GHz
796 pts
Apple M3
Apple M3 83 %
8C / 8T · 4.06 GHz
659 pts
Cinebench R23 Single-Core

Cinebench R23 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M1 Max (24-GPU)
10C / 10T · 3.20 GHz
1,534 pts
Apple M3
Apple M3 100 %
8C / 8T · 4.06 GHz
1,965 pts
Cinebench R23 Multi-Core

Cinebench R23 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M1 Max (24-GPU)
10C / 10T · 3.20 GHz
12,402 pts
Apple M3
Apple M3 84 %
8C / 8T · 4.06 GHz
10,437 pts
Geekbench 6 Single-Core

Geekbench 6 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M1 Max (24-GPU)
10C / 10T · 3.20 GHz
2,397
Apple M3
Apple M3 100 %
8C / 8T · 4.06 GHz
3,125
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core

Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M1 Max (24-GPU)
10C / 10T · 3.20 GHz
12,439
Apple M3
Apple M3 95 %
8C / 8T · 4.06 GHz
11,863
Geekbench 5, 64bit Single-Core

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

Apple M1 Max (24-GPU)
10C / 10T · 3.20 GHz
1,783
Apple M3
Apple M3 100 %
8C / 8T · 4.06 GHz
2,150
Geekbench 5, 64bit Multi-Core

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

Apple M1 Max (24-GPU)
10C / 10T · 3.20 GHz
12,693
Apple M3
Apple M3 82 %
8C / 8T · 4.06 GHz
10,450
iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

Apple M1 Max (24-GPU)
Apple M1 Max (24 Core)
7,830
Apple M3
Apple M3 45 %
Apple M3 (10 Core)
3,550
AI performance (NPU)

AI performance (NPU)

Apple M1 Max (24-GPU)
10C / 10T · 0.60 GHz
11.0 TOPS
Apple M3
Apple M3 100 %
8C / 8T · 0.70 GHz
35.0 TOPS

More benchmarks

At a glance

Wischen
Apple M1 Max (24-GPU)Apple M3
FamilyApple M series (38)Apple M series (38)
CPU groupApple M1 (9)Apple M3 (6)
ArchitectureM1M3
Technology5 nm3 nm
SegmentNotebookNotebook
Socket
PredecessorApple M2
SuccessorApple M2 Max (30-GPU)Apple M4

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

Wischen
Apple M1 Max (24-GPU)Apple M3
CPU Cores / Threads10 / 108 / 8
Hyperthreading / SMT
Core architecturehybrid (big.LITTLE)hybrid (big.LITTLE)
Core Cluster 1: 8x Firestorm
0.60 - 3.20 GHz
4x Ibiza P-Core
0.70 - 4.06 GHz
Core Cluster 2: 2x Icestorm
0.60 - 2.06 GHz
4x Ibiza E-Core
0.74 - 2.75 GHz
L2-Cache28.00 MB20.00 MB
L3-Cache
Overclocking

Integrated graphics (iGPU)

Wischen
Apple M1 Max (24-GPU)Apple M3
GPU nameApple M1 Max (24 Core)Apple M3 (10 Core)
GPU frequency0.39 - 1.30 GHz0.39 - 1.40 GHz
CUs / Shader384 / 3072160 / 1280
Raytracing
Max. displays52
Max. GPU Memory32 GB24 GB
Technology5 nm3 nm
Release dateQ3/2021Q4/2023

NPU AI performance

Wischen
Apple M1 Max (24-GPU)Apple M3
AI hardwareApple Neural EngineApple Neural Engine
AI specifications16 Neural cores @ 11 TOPS16 Neural cores @ 35 TOPS
NPU + CPU + iGPU

Memory & PCIe

Wischen
Apple M1 Max (24-GPU)Apple M3
MemoryLPDDR5-6400 (409.6 GB/s)
LPDDR5-6400 (102.4 GB/s)
Max. Memory64 GB24 GB
Memory channels42
ECCNoNo
PCIe4.04.0
PCIe Bandwidth

Thermal Management

Wischen
Apple M1 Max (24-GPU)Apple M3
TDP45 W22 W
TDP (PL2)
TDP up
TDP down15 W
T. junction max.100 °C

Technical details

Wischen
Apple M1 Max (24-GPU)Apple M3
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 dateQ3/2021Q4/2023
Release price
Documents

Your rating

Here you can rate one or both of the processors. The average rating of Apple M1 Max (24-GPU) is 4.9 stars (152 ratings), while Apple M3 has received 4.6 stars (1639 ratings).

Click on the stars to rate one or both processors.

Apple M1 Max (24-GPU)
Apple M1 Max (24-GPU)
10C / 10T · 0.60 - 3.20 GHz
Apple M3
Apple M3
8C / 8T · 0.70 - 4.06 GHz

Most popular CPUs in both categories

Apple M1 Max (24-GPU)
Apple M1 Max (24-GPU)
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