Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU) | Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU) | |
CPU comparisonIn this CPU comparison, we compare the Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU) and the Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU) and use benchmarks to check which processor is faster.
We compare the Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU) 12 core processor released in Q1/2023 with the Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU) which has 14 CPU cores and was introduced in Q4/2023. |
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Apple M series (25) | Family | Apple M series (25) |
Apple M2 (8) | CPU group | Apple M3 (6) |
2 | Generation | 3 |
M2 | Architecture | M3 |
Mobile | Segment | Mobile |
Apple M1 Pro (10-CPU 16-GPU) | Predecessor | Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) |
Apple M3 Pro (12-CPU 18-GPU) | Successor | -- |
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CPU Cores and Base FrequencyThe Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU) is a 12 core processor with a clock frequency of 0.66 GHz (3.50 GHz). The processor can compute 12 threads at the same time. The Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU) clocks with 0.70 GHz (4.06 GHz), has 14 CPU cores and can calculate 14 threads in parallel. |
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Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU) | Characteristic | Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU) |
12 | Cores | 14 |
12 | Threads | 14 |
hybrid (big.LITTLE) | Core architecture | hybrid (big.LITTLE) |
No | Hyperthreading | No |
No | Overclocking ? | No |
0.66 GHz (3.50 GHz) 8x Avalanche |
A-Core | 0.70 GHz (4.06 GHz) 10x P-Core |
0.60 GHz (2.42 GHz) 4x Blizzard |
B-Core | 0.74 GHz (2.75 GHz) 4x E-Core |
Artificial Intelligence and Machine LearningProcessors with the support of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can process many calculations, especially audio, image and video processing, much faster than classic processors. Algorithms for ML improve their performance the more data they have collected via software. ML tasks can be processed up to 10,000 times faster than with a classic processor. |
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Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU) | Characteristic | Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU) |
Apple Neural Engine | AI hardware | Apple Neural Engine |
16 Neural cores @ 15.8 TOPS | AI specifications | 16 Neural cores @ 35 TOPS |
Internal GraphicsGraphics (iGPU) integrated into the processor not only enable image output without having to rely on a dedicated graphics solution, but can also efficiently accelerate video playback. |
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Apple M2 Pro (19 Core) | GPU | Apple M3 Max (30 Core) |
0.45 GHz | GPU frequency | 0.39 GHz |
1.40 GHz | GPU (Turbo) | 1.40 GHz |
2 | GPU Generation | -- |
5 nm | Technology | 3 nm |
3 | Max. displays | 5 |
304 | Compute units | 480 |
2432 | Shader | 3840 |
No | Hardware Raytracing | Yes |
No | Frame Generation | No |
32 GB | Max. GPU Memory | 96 GB |
-- | DirectX Version | -- |
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 Pro (19 Core) | GPU | Apple M3 Max (30 Core) |
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 / Encode |
Decode | Codec VP8 | Decode |
No | Codec AV1 | Decode |
Decode | Codec AVC | Decode |
Decode | Codec VC-1 | Decode |
Decode / Encode | Codec JPEG | Decode / Encode |
Memory & PCIeUp to 32 GB of memory in a maximum of 2 memory channels is supported by the Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU), while the Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU) supports a maximum of 96 GB of memory with a maximum memory bandwidth of 307.2 GB/s enabled. |
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Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU) | Characteristic | Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU) |
LPDDR5-6400 | Memory | LPDDR5-6400 |
32 GB | Max. Memory | 96 GB |
2 (Dual Channel) | Memory channels | 3 |
102.4 GB/s | Max. Bandwidth | 307.2 GB/s |
No | ECC | No |
36.00 MB | L2 Cache | 36.00 MB |
-- | L3 Cache | -- |
4.0 | PCIe version | 4.0 |
-- | PCIe lanes | -- |
-- | PCIe Bandwidth | -- |
Thermal ManagementThe Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU) has a TDP of 40 W. The TDP of the Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU) is 50 W. System integrators use the TDP of the processor as a guide when dimensioning the cooling solution. |
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Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU) | Characteristic | Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU) |
40 W | TDP (PL1 / PBP) | 50 W |
-- | TDP (PL2) | -- |
-- | TDP up | -- |
-- | TDP down | -- |
100 °C | Tjunction max. | 100 °C |
Technical detailsThe Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU) has 36.00 MB cache and is manufactured in 5 nm. The cache of Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU) is at 36.00 MB. The processor is manufactured in 3 nm. |
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Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU) | Characteristic | Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU) |
5 nm | Technology | 3 nm |
Chiplet | Chip design | Chiplet |
Armv8.5-A (64 bit) | Instruction set (ISA) | Armv8-A (64 bit) |
Rosetta 2 x86-Emulation | ISA extensions | Rosetta 2 x86-Emulation |
-- | Socket | -- |
Apple Virtualization Framework | Virtualization | Apple Virtualization Framework |
Yes | AES-NI | Yes |
macOS, iPadOS | Operating systems | macOS, iPadOS |
Q1/2023 | Release date | Q4/2023 |
-- | Release price | -- |
show more data | show more data | |
Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU)
14C 14T @ 4.06 GHz |
Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU)
14C 14T @ 4.06 GHz |
Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU)
14C 14T @ 4.06 GHz |
Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU)
14C 14T @ 3.60 GHz |
Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU)
14C 14T @ 4.06 GHz |
Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU)
14C 14T @ 3.60 GHz |
Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU)
14C 14T @ 4.06 GHz |
Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU)
14C 14T @ 3.60 GHz |
Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU)
Apple M2 Pro (19 Core) @ 1.40 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU)
Apple M3 Max (30 Core) @ 1.40 GHz |
Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU)
12C 12T @ 0.66 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU)
14C 14T @ 0.70 GHz |
Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU)
14C 14T @ 3.60 GHz |
Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU)
14,855 CB R23 MC @ 40 W |
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Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU)
0.70 GHz |
Devices using this processor |
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Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU) | Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU) |
Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) |