Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) Apple M3
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Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) vs Apple M3

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Introduction of CPUs: The Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) of the M2 architecture targets professional users with the highest graphics and multi-core performance.

The Apple M3, with its newer M3 architecture, offers balanced, energy-efficient performance for everyday to demanding tasks.

Manufacturing Process and Cores/Threads: The Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) is manufactured using the 5 nm process, with 38 GPU cores and 410 GB/s memory bandwidth, enabling good AI performance. The Apple M3 uses the more advanced 3 nm process, with 10 GPU cores and 102 GB/s memory bandwidth.

Comparison of Single-Core and Multi-Core Performance: In single-core tasks, the Apple M3 shows a clear advantage. However, in multi-core applications, the Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) significantly outperforms the M3, ideal for parallelized workloads. Performance in Gaming Scenarios: For gaming, the Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) offers superior performance due to its stronger 38-GPU-core graphics unit and 410 GB/s memory bandwidth compared to the 10 GPU cores of the Apple M3.

Energy Consumption and Thermal Design Power (TDP): The Apple M3 benefits from the 3 nm manufacturing process and offers higher energy efficiency per core for good everyday performance. The Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) requires more energy under load for its maximum computing and graphics performance.

Price-Performance Ratio and Market Prices: The Apple M3 offers a strong price-performance ratio for mainstream use. The Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) is found in premium devices for professionals who require peak performance. Summary and Recommendation: The Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) is ideal for professional workloads with the highest multi-core and graphics performance.

The Apple M3 is suitable for users seeking modern single-core performance, energy efficiency, and strong overall performance for everyday and lighter creative projects.

Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)

  • Highest multi-core performance
  • Superior graphics performance (38 GPU cores)
  • High memory bandwidth (410 GB/s), good for AI
  • Suitable for professional workloads

Apple M3

  • Improved single-core performance
  • High energy efficiency (3 nm manufacturing)
  • Balanced performance for everyday use
  • Latest architecture

Performance Overview
Average performance across multiple benchmarks

Single-core performance
Rank 2 - 87 %
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M3
Multi-core performance
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
Rank 2 - 72 %
Apple M3
Cinebench 2024 Single-Core

Cinebench 2024 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
121 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 M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
1,025 pts
Apple M3
Apple M3 64 %
8C / 8T · 4.06 GHz
659 pts
Cinebench R23 Single-Core

Cinebench R23 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
1,695 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 M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
14,855 pts
Apple M3
Apple M3 70 %
8C / 8T · 4.06 GHz
10,437 pts
Geekbench 6 Single-Core

Geekbench 6 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
2,689
Apple M3
Apple M3 100 %
8C / 8T · 4.06 GHz
3,125
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core

Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
14,207
Apple M3
Apple M3 84 %
8C / 8T · 4.06 GHz
11,863
Geekbench 5, 64bit Single-Core

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

Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
1,874
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 M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
15,506
Apple M3
Apple M3 67 %
8C / 8T · 4.06 GHz
10,450
iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
Apple M2 Max (38 Core)
13,490
Apple M3
Apple M3 26 %
Apple M3 (10 Core)
3,550
AI performance (NPU)

AI performance (NPU)

Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C / 12T · 0.66 GHz
15.8 TOPS
Apple M3
Apple M3 100 %
8C / 8T · 0.70 GHz
35.0 TOPS

More benchmarks

At a glance

Wischen
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)Apple M3
FamilyApple M series (38)Apple M series (38)
CPU groupApple M2 (8)Apple M3 (6)
ArchitectureM2M3
Technology5 nm3 nm
SegmentNotebookNotebook
Socket
PredecessorApple M1 Max (32-GPU)Apple M2
SuccessorApple M4

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

Wischen
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)Apple M3
CPU Cores / Threads12 / 128 / 8
Hyperthreading / SMT
Core architecturehybrid (big.LITTLE)hybrid (big.LITTLE)
Core Cluster 1: 8x Avalanche
0.66 - 3.50 GHz
4x Ibiza P-Core
0.70 - 4.06 GHz
Core Cluster 2: 4x Blizzard
0.60 - 2.42 GHz
4x Ibiza E-Core
0.74 - 2.75 GHz
L2-Cache36.00 MB20.00 MB
L3-Cache
Overclocking

Integrated graphics (iGPU)

Wischen
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)Apple M3
GPU nameApple M2 Max (38 Core)Apple M3 (10 Core)
GPU frequency0.45 - 1.40 GHz0.39 - 1.40 GHz
CUs / Shader608 / 4864160 / 1280
Raytracing
Max. displays52
Max. GPU Memory96 GB24 GB
Technology5 nm3 nm
Release dateQ1/2023Q4/2023

NPU AI performance

Wischen
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)Apple M3
AI hardwareApple Neural EngineApple Neural Engine
AI specifications16 Neural cores @ 15.8 TOPS16 Neural cores @ 35 TOPS
NPU + CPU + iGPU

Memory & PCIe

Wischen
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)Apple M3
MemoryLPDDR5-6400 (409.6 GB/s)
LPDDR5-6400 (102.4 GB/s)
Max. Memory96 GB24 GB
Memory channels42
ECCNoNo
PCIe4.0 x 324.0
PCIe Bandwidth63.0 GB/s

Thermal Management

Wischen
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)Apple M3
TDP40 W22 W
TDP (PL2)
TDP up
TDP down15 W
T. junction max.100 °C100 °C

Technical details

Wischen
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)Apple M3
Chip designMonolithicMonolithic
AES-NI
Operating systemsmacOS, iPadOSmacOS, iPadOS
Instruction setArmv8.5-A (64 bit)Armv8-A (64 bit)
ISA extensionsRosetta 2 x86-EmulationRosetta 2 x86-Emulation
Release dateQ1/2023Q4/2023
Release price
DocumentsTechnical data sheet

Your rating

Here you can rate one or both of the processors. The average rating of Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) is 4.8 stars (89 ratings), while Apple M3 has received 4.6 stars (1638 ratings).

Click on the stars to rate one or both processors.

Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C / 12T · 0.66 - 3.50 GHz
Apple M3
Apple M3
8C / 8T · 0.70 - 4.06 GHz

Most popular CPUs in both categories

Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
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