Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 | |
CPU comparisonApple M2 Max (30-GPU) or Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 - 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 Max (30-GPU) has 12 cores with 12 threads and clocks with a maximum frequency of 3.50 GHz. Up to 96 GB of memory is supported in 4 memory channels. The Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) was released in Q1/2023. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 has 8 cores with 8 threads and clocks with a maximum frequency of 3.00 GHz. The CPU supports up to 32 GB of memory in 8 memory channels. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 was released in Q1/2022. |
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Apple M series (25) | Family | Qualcomm Snapdragon (104) |
Apple M2 (8) | CPU group | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 (1) |
2 | Generation | 3 |
M2 | Architecture | Cortex-X1 / Cortex-A78 |
Mobile | Segment | Mobile |
Apple M1 Max (24-GPU) | Predecessor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen. 2 |
Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU) | Successor | -- |
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CPU Cores and Base FrequencyThe Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) has 12 CPU cores and can calculate 12 threads in parallel. The clock frequency of the Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) is 0.66 GHz (3.50 GHz) while the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 has 8 CPU cores and 8 threads can calculate simultaneously. The clock frequency of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 is at 3.00 GHz. |
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Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) | Characteristic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 |
12 | Cores | 8 |
12 | Threads | 8 |
hybrid (big.LITTLE) | Core architecture | hybrid (big.LITTLE) |
No | Hyperthreading | No |
No | Overclocking ? | No |
0.66 GHz (3.50 GHz) 8x Avalanche |
A-Core | 3.00 GHz 4x Kryo 680 Prime |
0.60 GHz (2.42 GHz) 4x Blizzard |
B-Core | 2.42 GHz 4x Kryo 680 Gold |
NPU AI performanceThe performance values of the processor's AI unit. The isolated NPU performance is specified here, the total AI performance (NPU+CPU+iGPU) can be higher. Processors with support for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can process many calculations, especially audio, image and video processing, much faster than classic processors. |
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Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) | Characteristic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 |
Apple Neural Engine | AI hardware | Qualcomm AI engine |
16 Neural cores @ 15.8 TOPS | AI specifications | Hexagon |
-- | NPU + CPU + iGPU | -- |
Integrated graphics (iGPU)The Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) or Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 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 Max (30 Core) | GPU | Qualcomm Adreno 690 |
0.45 GHz | GPU frequency | -- |
1.40 GHz | GPU (Turbo) | -- |
2 | GPU Generation | 6 |
5 nm | Technology | 7 nm |
5 | Max. displays | 0 |
480 | Compute units | -- |
3840 | Shader | -- |
No | Hardware Raytracing | No |
No | Frame Generation | No |
96 GB | Max. GPU Memory | -- |
-- | DirectX Version | 12.0 |
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 Max (30 Core) | GPU | Qualcomm Adreno 690 |
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 |
Decode | Codec VP8 | Decode / Encode |
No | Codec AV1 | No |
Decode | Codec AVC | Decode |
Decode | Codec VC-1 | Decode |
Decode / Encode | Codec JPEG | Decode / Encode |
Memory & PCIeThe Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) can use up to 96 GB of memory in 4 memory channels. The maximum memory bandwidth is 409.6 GB/s. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 supports up to 32 GB of memory in 8 memory channels and achieves a memory bandwidth of up to 68.2 GB/s. |
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Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) | Characteristic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 |
LPDDR5-6400 | Memory | LPDDR4X-4266 |
96 GB | Max. Memory | 32 GB |
4 (Quad Channel) | Memory channels | 8 (Octa Channel) |
409.6 GB/s | Max. Bandwidth | 68.2 GB/s |
No | ECC | No |
36.00 MB | L2 Cache | -- |
-- | L3 Cache | -- |
4.0 | PCIe version | -- |
32 | PCIe lanes | -- |
63.0 GB/s | PCIe Bandwidth | -- |
Thermal ManagementThe thermal design power (TDP for short) of the Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) is 45 W, while the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 has a TDP of 7 W. The TDP specifies the necessary cooling solution that is required to cool the processor sufficiently. |
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Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) | Characteristic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 |
45 W | TDP (PL1 / PBP) | 7 W |
-- | TDP (PL2) | -- |
-- | TDP up | -- |
-- | TDP down | -- |
100 °C | Tjunction max. | -- |
Technical detailsThe Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) is manufactured in 5 nm and has 36.00 MB cache. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 is manufactured in 5 nm and has a 0.00 MB cache. |
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Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) | Characteristic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 |
5 nm | Technology | 5 nm |
Chiplet | Chip design | Chiplet |
Armv8.5-A (64 bit) | Instruction set (ISA) | Armv8-A (64 bit) |
Rosetta 2 x86-Emulation | ISA extensions | -- |
-- | Socket | -- |
Apple Virtualization Framework | Virtualization | None |
Yes | AES-NI | No |
macOS, iPadOS | Operating systems | Android, Windows 10 (ARM) |
Q1/2023 | Release date | Q1/2022 |
-- | Release price | -- |
show more data | show more data | |
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3
8C 8T @ 3.00 GHz |
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3
8C 8T @ 3.00 GHz |
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3
8C 8T @ 3.00 GHz |
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3
8C 8T @ 3.00 GHz |
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3
8C 8T @ 3.00 GHz |
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3
8C 8T @ 3.00 GHz |
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3
8C 8T @ 3.00 GHz |
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3
8C 8T @ 3.00 GHz |
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
Apple M2 Max (30 Core) @ 1.40 GHz |
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3
Qualcomm Adreno 690 @ 0.00 GHz |
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3
8C 8T @ 3.00 GHz |
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
14,855 CB R23 MC @ 40 W |
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3
3.00 GHz |
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
12C 12T @ 0.66 GHz |
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3
8C 8T @ 3.00 GHz |
Devices using this processor |
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Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 |
Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) |
Unknown |