Apple M2 Ultra (76-GPU) Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
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Apple M2 Ultra (76-GPU) vs Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)

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The Apple M2 Ultra (76-GPU) is based on the M2 architecture and is manufactured using the 5 nm process.

It is designed for the most demanding professional workflows, as typically found in high-end workstations like the Mac Studio or Mac Pro. This processor integrates a high CPU core count, the Apple M2 Ultra (76 Core) graphics unit with 76 GPU cores, and features 72 MB of Level 2 Cache. A maximum memory bandwidth of 819 GB/s makes it particularly suitable for data-intensive tasks and AI performance.

In multi-core tasks, it shows significantly higher performance. The superior number of GPU cores and high memory bandwidth also offer leading performance in gaming scenarios. Under full load, its total energy consumption is higher, designed for generous cooling systems. The Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) utilizes the newer M3 architecture and is manufactured using the advanced 3 nm process.

It is aimed at professional users who require strong CPU and graphics performance in devices such as the MacBook Pro or iMac. This processor features 16 CPU cores, the Apple M3 Max (40 Core) graphics unit with 40 GPU cores, and 36 MB of Level 2 Cache. Its maximum memory bandwidth is 410 GB/s, which also enables good AI performance.

Its performance is superior in single-core applications. Thanks to the 3 nm process, it offers improved energy efficiency per core. In terms of price-performance ratio, it is often found in systems that represent a more attractive option compared to the M2 Ultra.

Apple M2 Ultra (76-GPU)

  • Highest multi-core performance
  • Leading graphics performance with 76 GPU cores
  • Maximum memory bandwidth of 819 GB/s
  • Ideal for extreme professional workflows and AI applications

Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)

  • Superior single-core performance
  • Very good multi-core and graphics performance
  • High energy efficiency due to 3 nm manufacturing
  • Versatile for demanding professional tasks and AI applications

Performance Overview
Average performance across multiple benchmarks

Single-core performance
Rank 2 - 88 %
Apple M2 Ultra (76-GPU)
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
Multi-core performance
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M2 Ultra (76-GPU)
Rank 2 - 87 %
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
Cinebench 2024 Single-Core

Cinebench 2024 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M2 Ultra (76-GPU)
24C / 24T · 3.50 GHz
126 pts
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C / 16T · 4.06 GHz
141 pts
Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core

Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M2 Ultra (76-GPU)
24C / 24T · 3.50 GHz
1,918 pts
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C / 16T · 4.06 GHz
1,607 pts
Cinebench R23 Single-Core

Cinebench R23 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M2 Ultra (76-GPU)
24C / 24T · 3.50 GHz
1,695 pts
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C / 16T · 4.06 GHz
1,968 pts
Cinebench R23 Multi-Core

Cinebench R23 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M2 Ultra (76-GPU)
24C / 24T · 3.50 GHz
28,570 pts
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C / 16T · 3.60 GHz
24,028 pts
Geekbench 6 Single-Core

Geekbench 6 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M2 Ultra (76-GPU)
24C / 24T · 3.50 GHz
2,689
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C / 16T · 4.06 GHz
3,125
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core

Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M2 Ultra (76-GPU)
24C / 24T · 3.50 GHz
21,450
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C / 16T · 3.60 GHz
21,045
Geekbench 5, 64bit Single-Core

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

Apple M2 Ultra (76-GPU)
24C / 24T · 3.50 GHz
1,940
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C / 16T · 4.06 GHz
2,150
Geekbench 5, 64bit Multi-Core

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

Apple M2 Ultra (76-GPU)
24C / 24T · 3.50 GHz
27,860
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C / 16T · 3.60 GHz
22,736
iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

Apple M2 Ultra (76-GPU)
Apple M2 Ultra (76 Core)
26,980
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
Apple M3 Max (40 Core)
14,200
AI performance (NPU)

AI performance (NPU)

Apple M2 Ultra (76-GPU)
24C / 24T · 0.66 GHz
31.6 TOPS
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C / 16T · 0.70 GHz
35.0 TOPS

More benchmarks

At a glance

Wischen
Apple M2 Ultra (76-GPU)Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
FamilyApple M series (38)Apple M series (38)
CPU groupApple M2 (8)Apple M3 (6)
ArchitectureM2M3
Technology5 nm3 nm
SegmentNotebookNotebook
Socket
PredecessorApple M1 Ultra (64-GPU)Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
SuccessorApple M3 Ultra (32-CPU 80-GPU)Apple M4 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

Wischen
Apple M2 Ultra (76-GPU)Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
CPU Cores / Threads24 / 2416 / 16
Hyperthreading / SMT
Core architecturehybrid (big.LITTLE)hybrid (big.LITTLE)
Core Cluster 1: 16x Avalanche
0.66 - 3.50 GHz
12x Palma P-Core
0.70 - 4.06 GHz
Core Cluster 2: 8x Blizzard
0.60 - 2.42 GHz
4x Palma E-Core
0.74 - 2.75 GHz
L2-Cache72.00 MB36.00 MB
L3-Cache
Overclocking

Integrated graphics (iGPU)

Wischen
Apple M2 Ultra (76-GPU)Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
GPU nameApple M2 Ultra (76 Core)Apple M3 Max (40 Core)
GPU frequency0.45 - 1.40 GHz0.39 - 1.40 GHz
CUs / Shader1216 / 9728640 / 5120
Raytracing
Max. displays85
Max. GPU Memory192 GB128 GB
Technology5 nm3 nm
Release dateQ2/2023Q4/2023

NPU AI performance

Wischen
Apple M2 Ultra (76-GPU)Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
AI hardwareApple Neural EngineApple Neural Engine
AI specifications32 Neural cores @ 31.6 TOPS16 Neural cores @ 35 TOPS
NPU + CPU + iGPU

Memory & PCIe

Wischen
Apple M2 Ultra (76-GPU)Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
MemoryLPDDR5-6400 (819.1 GB/s)
LPDDR5-6400 (409.6 GB/s)
Max. Memory192 GB128 GB
Memory channels84
ECCNoNo
PCIe4.0 x 644.0
PCIe Bandwidth126.0 GB/s

Thermal Management

Wischen
Apple M2 Ultra (76-GPU)Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
TDP80 W57 W
TDP (PL2)
TDP up
TDP down
T. junction max.100 °C100 °C

Technical details

Wischen
Apple M2 Ultra (76-GPU)Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
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 dateQ2/2023Q4/2023
Release price
Documents

Your rating

Here you can rate one or both of the processors. The average rating of Apple M2 Ultra (76-GPU) is 4.9 stars (426 ratings), while Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) has received 4.9 stars (637 ratings).

Click on the stars to rate one or both processors.

Apple M2 Ultra (76-GPU)
Apple M2 Ultra (76-GPU)
24C / 24T · 0.66 - 3.50 GHz
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C / 16T · 0.70 - 4.06 GHz

Most popular CPUs in both categories

Apple M2 Ultra (76-GPU)
Apple M2 Ultra (76-GPU)
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