Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU) Apple M3
VS

Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU) vs Apple M3

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The Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU) (M1 architecture) was designed for professional applications. The Apple M3 (M3 architecture) targets a broad audience requiring modern performance.

The Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU) (5-nm) features an 8-core CPU with 24 MB of Level-2 cache and 102 GB/s memory bandwidth. The Apple M3 (3-nm) also integrates an 8-core CPU, but with 20 MB of Level-2 cache and the same memory bandwidth. In single-core performance, the Apple M3 significantly surpasses the Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU).

For multi-core tasks, the M3 also shows higher performance, but the lead is smaller in some areas. For gaming, the Apple M3 is more advantageous thanks to its architecture and single-core performance. Despite the Apple M1 Pro (14 Core) having more GPU cores than the Apple M3 (10 Core), the modern technologies of the M3 often provide a better gaming experience.

The 3-nm process makes the Apple M3 more energy-efficient than the Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU), leading to lower power consumption with similar or higher performance. In terms of price, the M1 Pro (8-CPU) is often more affordable in older devices; the M3 offers improved performance per watt in new systems at a higher overall price.

The Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU) is a solid choice for proven performance at an attractive price. The Apple M3 is recommended for users seeking the latest technology, superior single-core performance, improved graphics, and maximum energy efficiency.

Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)

  • M1 architecture (5 nm manufacturing)
  • Robust multi-core performance
  • Potentially attractive price in older devices
  • Integrated graphics unit Apple M1 Pro (14 Core)

Apple M3

  • M3 architecture (3 nm manufacturing)
  • Superior single-core performance
  • High energy efficiency
  • Integrated graphics unit Apple M3 (10 Core)

Performance Overview
Average performance across multiple benchmarks

Single-core performance
Rank 2 - 80 %
Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M3
Multi-core performance
Rank 2 - 93 %
Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M3
Cinebench 2024 Single-Core

Cinebench 2024 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)
8C / 8T · 3.20 GHz
113 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 Pro (8-CPU)
8C / 8T · 3.20 GHz
628 pts
Apple M3
Apple M3 100 %
8C / 8T · 4.06 GHz
659 pts
Cinebench R23 Single-Core

Cinebench R23 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)
8C / 8T · 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 Pro (8-CPU)
8C / 8T · 3.20 GHz
9,569 pts
Apple M3
Apple M3 100 %
8C / 8T · 4.06 GHz
10,437 pts
Geekbench 6 Single-Core

Geekbench 6 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)
8C / 8T · 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 Pro (8-CPU)
8C / 8T · 3.20 GHz
10,412
Apple M3
Apple M3 100 %
8C / 8T · 4.06 GHz
11,863
Geekbench 5, 64bit Single-Core

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

Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)
8C / 8T · 3.20 GHz
1,768
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 Pro (8-CPU)
8C / 8T · 3.20 GHz
9,996
Apple M3
Apple M3 100 %
8C / 8T · 4.06 GHz
10,450
iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)
Apple M1 Pro (14 Core)
4,580
Apple M3
Apple M3 78 %
Apple M3 (10 Core)
3,550
AI performance (NPU)

AI performance (NPU)

Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)
8C / 8T · 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 Pro (8-CPU)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 M4

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

Wischen
Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)Apple M3
CPU Cores / Threads8 / 88 / 8
Hyperthreading / SMT
Core architecturehybrid (big.LITTLE)hybrid (big.LITTLE)
Core Cluster 1: 6x 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-Cache24.00 MB20.00 MB
L3-Cache
Overclocking

Integrated graphics (iGPU)

Wischen
Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)Apple M3
GPU nameApple M1 Pro (14 Core)Apple M3 (10 Core)
GPU frequency0.39 - 1.30 GHz0.39 - 1.40 GHz
CUs / Shader224 / 1792160 / 1280
Raytracing
Max. displays32
Max. GPU Memory32 GB24 GB
Technology5 nm3 nm
Release dateQ3/2021Q4/2023

NPU AI performance

Wischen
Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)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 Pro (8-CPU)Apple M3
MemoryLPDDR5-6400 (102.4 GB/s)
LPDDR5-6400 (102.4 GB/s)
Max. Memory32 GB24 GB
Memory channels22
ECCNoNo
PCIe4.04.0
PCIe Bandwidth

Thermal Management

Wischen
Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)Apple M3
TDP35 W22 W
TDP (PL2)
TDP up
TDP down15 W
T. junction max.100 °C

Technical details

Wischen
Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)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 Pro (8-CPU) is 4.9 stars (254 ratings), while Apple M3 has received 4.6 stars (1638 ratings).

Click on the stars to rate one or both processors.

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

Most popular CPUs in both categories

Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)
Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)
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