Apple M3 (8-GPU) | Valve Steam Deck (2023 Refresh) | |
CPU comparisonApple M3 (8-GPU) or Valve Steam Deck (2023 Refresh) - 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 (8-GPU) 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 (8-GPU) was released in Q4/2023. The Valve Steam Deck (2023 Refresh) has 4 cores with 8 threads and clocks with a maximum frequency of 3.50 GHz. The CPU supports up to 16 GB of memory in 4 memory channels. The Valve Steam Deck (2023 Refresh) was released in Q4/2023. |
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Apple M series (25) | Family | AMD Ryzen 5 (85) |
Apple M3 (6) | CPU group | AMD Sephiroth (Steam Deck Refresh 2023) (1) |
3 | Generation | 4 |
M3 | Architecture | Sephiroth (Zen 2) |
Mobile | Segment | Mobile |
Apple M2 (8-GPU) | Predecessor | Valve Steam Deck (AMD Custom APU 0405) |
-- | Successor | -- |
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CPU Cores and Base FrequencyThe Apple M3 (8-GPU) is a 8 core processor with a clock frequency of 0.70 GHz (4.06 GHz). The Valve Steam Deck (2023 Refresh) has 4 CPU cores with a clock frequency of 2.40 GHz (3.50 GHz). |
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Apple M3 (8-GPU) | Characteristic | Valve Steam Deck (2023 Refresh) |
8 | Cores | 4 |
8 | Threads | 8 |
hybrid (big.LITTLE) | Core architecture | normal |
No | Hyperthreading | Yes |
No | Overclocking ? | No |
0.70 GHz (4.06 GHz) 4x P-Core |
A-Core | 2.40 GHz (3.50 GHz) |
0.74 GHz (2.75 GHz) 4x E-Core |
B-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 M3 (8-GPU) | Characteristic | Valve Steam Deck (2023 Refresh) |
Apple Neural Engine | AI hardware | -- |
16 Neural cores @ 35 TOPS | AI specifications | -- |
Internal GraphicsThe integrated graphics unit of a processor is not only responsible for the pure image output on the system, but can also significantly increase the efficiency of the system with the support of modern video codecs. |
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Apple M3 (8 Core) | GPU | AMD Custom Radeon Graphics (Steam Deck) |
0.39 GHz | GPU frequency | 1.00 GHz |
1.40 GHz | GPU (Turbo) | 1.60 GHz |
-- | GPU Generation | -- |
3 nm | Technology | 7 nm |
2 | Max. displays | 2 |
128 | Compute units | 8 |
1024 | Shader | 512 |
Yes | Hardware Raytracing | No |
No | Frame Generation | No |
24 GB | Max. GPU Memory | 8 GB |
-- | DirectX Version | 12 |
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 (8 Core) | GPU | AMD Custom Radeon Graphics (Steam Deck) |
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 / Encode |
Decode | Codec AV1 | No |
Decode | Codec AVC | Decode / Encode |
Decode | Codec VC-1 | Decode |
Decode / Encode | Codec JPEG | Decode / Encode |
Memory & PCIeThe Apple M3 (8-GPU) supports a maximum of 24 GB of memory in 2 memory channels. The Valve Steam Deck (2023 Refresh) can connect up to 16 GB of memory in 4 memory channels. |
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Apple M3 (8-GPU) | Characteristic | Valve Steam Deck (2023 Refresh) |
LPDDR5-6400 | Memory | LPDDR5-6400 |
24 GB | Max. Memory | 16 GB |
2 (Dual Channel) | Memory channels | 4 (Quad Channel) |
102.4 GB/s | Max. Bandwidth | 102.4 GB/s |
No | ECC | No |
20.00 MB | L2 Cache | 2.00 MB |
-- | L3 Cache | 4.00 MB |
4.0 | PCIe version | 3.0 |
-- | PCIe lanes | 8 |
-- | PCIe Bandwidth | 7.9 GB/s |
Thermal ManagementThe TDP (Thermal Design Power) of a processor specifies the required cooling solution. The Apple M3 (8-GPU) has a TDP of 22 W, that of the Valve Steam Deck (2023 Refresh) is 15 W. |
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Apple M3 (8-GPU) | Characteristic | Valve Steam Deck (2023 Refresh) |
22 W | TDP (PL1 / PBP) | 15 W |
-- | TDP (PL2) | -- |
-- | TDP up | -- |
10 W | TDP down | 4 W |
100 °C | Tjunction max. | 100 °C |
Technical detailsThe Apple M3 (8-GPU) has a 20.00 MB cache, while the Valve Steam Deck (2023 Refresh) cache has a total of 6.00 MB. |
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Apple M3 (8-GPU) | Characteristic | Valve Steam Deck (2023 Refresh) |
3 nm | Technology | 6 nm |
Chiplet | Chip design | Monolithic |
Armv8-A (64 bit) | Instruction set (ISA) | x86-64 (64 bit) |
Rosetta 2 x86-Emulation | ISA extensions | SSE4a, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, FMA3 |
-- | Socket | FF3 |
Apple Virtualization Framework | Virtualization | AMD-V, SVM |
Yes | AES-NI | Yes |
macOS, iPadOS | Operating systems | SteamOS (Arch Linux) |
Q4/2023 | Release date | Q4/2023 |
-- | Release price | -- |
show more data | show more data | |
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
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Valve Steam Deck (2023 Refresh)
4C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
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Valve Steam Deck (2023 Refresh)
4C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
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Valve Steam Deck (2023 Refresh)
4C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
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Valve Steam Deck (2023 Refresh)
4C 8T @ 2.80 GHz |
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
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Valve Steam Deck (2023 Refresh)
4C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
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Valve Steam Deck (2023 Refresh)
4C 8T @ 2.80 GHz |
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
Apple M3 (8 Core) @ 1.40 GHz |
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Valve Steam Deck (2023 Refresh)
AMD Custom Radeon Graphics (Steam Deck) @ 1.60 GHz |
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
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Valve Steam Deck (2023 Refresh)
4C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
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Valve Steam Deck (2023 Refresh)
4C 8T @ 2.80 GHz |
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
10,437 CB R23 MC @ 22 W |
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Valve Steam Deck (2023 Refresh)
2.40 GHz |
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 0.70 GHz |
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Valve Steam Deck (2023 Refresh)
4C 8T @ 2.40 GHz |
Devices using this processor |
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Apple M3 (8-GPU) | Valve Steam Deck (2023 Refresh) |
Apple iMac 24 (2023) | Valve Steam Deck (2023 Refresh) |