Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) | Apple A12Z Bionic | |
CPU comparisonIn this CPU comparison, we compare the Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) and the Apple A12Z Bionic and use benchmarks to check which processor is faster.
We compare the Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) 16 core processor released in Q4/2023 with the Apple A12Z Bionic which has 8 CPU cores and was introduced in Q1/2020. |
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Apple M series (25) | Family | Apple A series (22) |
Apple M3 (6) | CPU group | Apple A12/A12X/A12Z (3) |
3 | Generation | 12 |
M3 | Architecture | A12 |
Mobile | Segment | Mobile |
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) | Predecessor | Apple A10X Fusion |
-- | Successor | -- |
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CPU Cores and Base FrequencyThe Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) is a 16 core processor with a clock frequency of 0.70 GHz (4.06 GHz). The processor can compute 16 threads at the same time. The Apple A12Z Bionic clocks with 2.49 GHz, has 8 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel. |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) | Characteristic | Apple A12Z Bionic |
16 | Cores | 8 |
16 | Threads | 8 |
hybrid (big.LITTLE) | Core architecture | hybrid (big.LITTLE) |
No | Hyperthreading | No |
No | Overclocking ? | No |
0.70 GHz (4.06 GHz) 12x P-Core |
A-Core | 2.49 GHz 4x Vortex |
0.74 GHz (2.75 GHz) 4x E-Core |
B-Core | 1.59 GHz 4x Tempest |
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 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) | Characteristic | Apple A12Z Bionic |
Apple Neural Engine | AI hardware | Apple Neural Engine |
16 Neural cores @ 35 TOPS | AI specifications | 8 Neural cores @ 5 TOPS |
-- | NPU + CPU + iGPU | -- |
Integrated graphics (iGPU)Graphics (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 M3 Max (40 Core) | GPU | Apple A12Z |
0.39 GHz | GPU frequency | 1.13 GHz |
1.40 GHz | GPU (Turbo) | -- |
-- | GPU Generation | 9 |
3 nm | Technology | 7 nm |
5 | Max. displays | 1 |
640 | Compute units | 32 |
5120 | Shader | 512 |
Yes | Hardware Raytracing | No |
No | Frame Generation | No |
128 GB | Max. GPU Memory | 6 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 Max (40 Core) | GPU | Apple A12Z |
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 |
Decode | Codec VC-1 | Decode |
Decode / Encode | Codec JPEG | Decode / Encode |
Memory & PCIeUp to 128 GB of memory in a maximum of 4 memory channels is supported by the Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU), while the Apple A12Z Bionic supports a maximum of 6 GB of memory with a maximum memory bandwidth of 68.2 GB/s enabled. |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) | Characteristic | Apple A12Z Bionic |
LPDDR5-6400 | Memory | LPDDR4X-4266 |
128 GB | Max. Memory | 6 GB |
4 (Quad Channel) | Memory channels | 2 (Dual Channel) |
409.6 GB/s | Max. Bandwidth | 68.2 GB/s |
No | ECC | No |
36.00 MB | L2 Cache | 8.00 MB |
-- | L3 Cache | -- |
4.0 | PCIe version | -- |
-- | PCIe lanes | -- |
-- | PCIe Bandwidth | -- |
Thermal ManagementThe Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) has a TDP of 57 W. The TDP of the Apple A12Z Bionic is 15 W. System integrators use the TDP of the processor as a guide when dimensioning the cooling solution. |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) | Characteristic | Apple A12Z Bionic |
57 W | TDP (PL1 / PBP) | 15 W |
-- | TDP (PL2) | -- |
-- | TDP up | -- |
-- | TDP down | -- |
100 °C | Tjunction max. | -- |
Technical detailsThe Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) has 36.00 MB cache and is manufactured in 3 nm. The cache of Apple A12Z Bionic is at 8.00 MB. The processor is manufactured in 7 nm. |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) | Characteristic | Apple A12Z Bionic |
3 nm | Technology | 7 nm |
Chiplet | Chip design | Chiplet |
Armv8-A (64 bit) | Instruction set (ISA) | Armv8-A (64 bit) |
Rosetta 2 x86-Emulation | ISA extensions | -- |
-- | Socket | -- |
Apple Virtualization Framework | Virtualization | None |
Yes | AES-NI | No |
macOS, iPadOS | Operating systems | iOS |
Q4/2023 | Release date | Q1/2020 |
-- | Release price | -- |
show more data | show more data | |
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 4.06 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 3.60 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 4.06 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 3.60 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 4.06 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 3.60 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
Apple M3 Max (40 Core) @ 1.40 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
Apple A12Z @ 1.13 GHz |
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 0.70 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 4.06 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 4.06 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 4.06 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 3.60 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 0.70 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 0.70 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 4.06 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 3.60 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
24,028 CB R23 MC @ 57 W |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
2.49 GHz |
Devices using this processor |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) | Apple A12Z Bionic |
Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) |
Apple iPad Pro 2020 |