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Apple M3 | Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) | |
CPU comparisonApple M3 or Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) - 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 M3 has 8 cores with 8 threads and clocks with a maximum frequency of 4.06 GHz. Up to 24 GB of memory is supported in 2 memory channels. The Apple M3 was released in Q4/2023. The Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) has 12 cores with 12 threads and clocks with a maximum frequency of 3.50 GHz. The CPU supports up to 96 GB of memory in 4 memory channels. The Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) was released in Q1/2023. |
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Apple M series (30) | Family | Apple M series (30) |
Apple M3 (6) | CPU group | Apple M2 (8) |
3 | Generation | 2 |
M3 | Architecture | M2 |
Notebook | Segment | Notebook |
Apple M2 | Predecessor | Apple M1 Max (32-GPU) |
Apple M4 | Successor | -- |
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CPU Cores and Base FrequencyThe Apple M3 has 8 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel. The clock frequency of the Apple M3 is 0.70 GHz (4.06 GHz) while the Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) has 12 CPU cores and 12 threads can calculate simultaneously. The clock frequency of the Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) is at 0.66 GHz (3.50 GHz). |
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Apple M3 | Characteristic | Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) |
8 | Cores | 12 |
8 | Threads | 12 |
hybrid (big.LITTLE) | Core architecture | hybrid (big.LITTLE) |
No | Hyperthreading | No |
No | Overclocking ? | No |
0.70 GHz (4.06 GHz) 4x Ibiza P-Core |
A-Core | 0.66 GHz (3.50 GHz) 8x Avalanche |
0.74 GHz (2.75 GHz) 4x Ibiza E-Core |
B-Core | 0.60 GHz (2.42 GHz) 4x Blizzard |
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 M3 | Characteristic | Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) |
Apple Neural Engine | AI hardware | Apple Neural Engine |
16 Neural cores @ 35 TOPS | AI specifications | 16 Neural cores @ 15.8 TOPS |
-- | NPU + CPU + iGPU | -- |
Integrated graphics (iGPU)The Apple M3 or Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) 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 M3 (10 Core) | GPU | Apple M2 Max (38 Core) |
0.39 GHz | GPU frequency | 0.45 GHz |
1.40 GHz | GPU (Turbo) | 1.40 GHz |
3 | GPU Generation | 2 |
3 nm | Technology | 5 nm |
2 | Max. displays | 5 |
160 | Compute units | 608 |
1280 | Shader | 4864 |
Yes | Hardware Raytracing | No |
No | Frame Generation | No |
24 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 M3 (10 Core) | GPU | Apple M2 Max (38 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 |
Decode | Codec AV1 | No |
Decode | Codec AVC | Decode |
Decode | Codec VC-1 | Decode |
Decode / Encode | Codec JPEG | Decode / Encode |
Memory & PCIeThe Apple M3 can use up to 24 GB of memory in 2 memory channels. The maximum memory bandwidth is 102.4 GB/s. The Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) supports up to 96 GB of memory in 4 memory channels and achieves a memory bandwidth of up to 409.6 GB/s. |
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Apple M3 | Characteristic | Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) |
LPDDR5-6400 | Memory | LPDDR5-6400 |
24 GB | Max. Memory | 96 GB |
2 (Dual Channel) | Memory channels | 4 (Quad Channel) |
102.4 GB/s | Max. Bandwidth | 409.6 GB/s |
No | ECC | No |
20.00 MB | L2 Cache | 36.00 MB |
-- | L3 Cache | -- |
4.0 | PCIe version | 4.0 |
-- | PCIe lanes | 32 |
-- | PCIe Bandwidth | 63.0 GB/s |
Thermal ManagementThe thermal design power (TDP for short) of the Apple M3 is 22 W, while the Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) has a TDP of 40 W. The TDP specifies the necessary cooling solution that is required to cool the processor sufficiently. |
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Apple M3 | Characteristic | Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) |
22 W | TDP (PL1 / PBP) | 40 W |
-- | TDP (PL2) | -- |
-- | TDP up | -- |
15 W | TDP down | -- |
100 °C | Tjunction max. | 100 °C |
Technical detailsThe Apple M3 is manufactured in 3 nm and has 20.00 MB cache. The Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) is manufactured in 5 nm and has a 36.00 MB cache. |
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Apple M3 | Characteristic | Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) |
3 nm | Technology | 5 nm |
Chiplet | Chip design | Chiplet |
Armv8-A (64 bit) | Instruction set (ISA) | Armv8.5-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 |
Q4/2023 | Release date | Q1/2023 |
-- | Release price | -- |
show more data | show more data | |
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Apple M3
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
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Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple M3
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
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Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple M3
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
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Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple M3
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
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Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple M3
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
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Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple M3
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
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Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple M3
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
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Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple M3
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
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Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple M3
Apple M3 (10 Core) @ 1.40 GHz |
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Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
Apple M2 Max (38 Core) @ 1.40 GHz |
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Apple M3
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
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Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple M3
10,437 CB R23 MC @ 22 W |
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Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
14,855 CB R23 MC @ 40 W |
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Apple M3
8C 8T @ 0.70 GHz |
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Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C 12T @ 0.66 GHz |
Devices using this processor |
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Apple M3 | Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) |
Apple iMac 24 (2023) | Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) |