Apple M4 | Apple M3 | |
CPU comparisonApple M4 or Apple M3 - 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 M4 has 9 cores with 9 threads and clocks with a maximum frequency of 4.41 GHz. Up to 8 GB of memory is supported in 2 memory channels. The Apple M4 was released in Q2/2024. The Apple M3 has 8 cores with 8 threads and clocks with a maximum frequency of 4.06 GHz. The CPU supports up to 24 GB of memory in 2 memory channels. The Apple M3 was released in Q4/2023. |
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Apple M series (25) | Family | Apple M series (25) |
Apple M4 (2) | CPU group | Apple M3 (6) |
4 | Generation | 3 |
M4 | Architecture | M3 |
Mobile | Segment | Mobile |
Apple M3 | Predecessor | Apple M2 |
-- | Successor | Apple M4 |
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CPU Cores and Base FrequencyThe Apple M4 is a 9 core processor with a clock frequency of 0.70 GHz (4.41 GHz). The Apple M3 has 8 CPU cores with a clock frequency of 0.70 GHz (4.06 GHz). |
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Apple M4 | Characteristic | Apple M3 |
9 | Cores | 8 |
9 | Threads | 8 |
hybrid (big.LITTLE) | Core architecture | hybrid (big.LITTLE) |
No | Hyperthreading | No |
No | Overclocking ? | No |
0.70 GHz (4.41 GHz) 3x P-Core |
A-Core | 0.70 GHz (4.06 GHz) 4x P-Core |
0.74 GHz (2.85 GHz) 6x E-Core |
B-Core | 0.74 GHz (2.75 GHz) 4x E-Core |
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 M4 | Characteristic | Apple M3 |
Apple Neural Engine | AI hardware | Apple Neural Engine |
16 Neural cores @ 38 TOPS | AI specifications | 16 Neural cores @ 35 TOPS |
-- | NPU + CPU + iGPU | -- |
Integrated graphics (iGPU)The 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 M4 (10 Core) | GPU | Apple M3 (10 Core) |
0.39 GHz | GPU frequency | 0.39 GHz |
1.40 GHz | GPU (Turbo) | 1.40 GHz |
-- | GPU Generation | 3 |
3 nm | Technology | 3 nm |
2 | Max. displays | 2 |
160 | Compute units | 160 |
1280 | Shader | 1280 |
Yes | Hardware Raytracing | Yes |
No | Frame Generation | No |
24 GB | Max. GPU Memory | 24 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 M4 (10 Core) | GPU | Apple M3 (10 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 | Decode |
Decode | Codec AVC | Decode |
Decode | Codec VC-1 | Decode |
Decode / Encode | Codec JPEG | Decode / Encode |
Memory & PCIeThe Apple M4 supports a maximum of 8 GB of memory in 2 memory channels. The Apple M3 can connect up to 24 GB of memory in 2 memory channels. |
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Apple M4 | Characteristic | Apple M3 |
LPDDR5X-7500 | Memory | LPDDR5-6400 |
8 GB | Max. Memory | 24 GB |
2 (Dual Channel) | Memory channels | 2 (Dual Channel) |
120.0 GB/s | Max. Bandwidth | 102.4 GB/s |
No | ECC | No |
18.00 MB | L2 Cache | 20.00 MB |
-- | L3 Cache | -- |
4.0 | PCIe version | 4.0 |
-- | PCIe lanes | -- |
-- | PCIe Bandwidth | -- |
Thermal ManagementThe TDP (Thermal Design Power) of a processor specifies the required cooling solution. The Apple M4 has a TDP of 22 W, that of the Apple M3 is 22 W. |
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Apple M4 | Characteristic | Apple M3 |
22 W | TDP (PL1 / PBP) | 22 W |
-- | TDP (PL2) | -- |
-- | TDP up | -- |
15 W | TDP down | 15 W |
100 °C | Tjunction max. | 100 °C |
Technical detailsThe Apple M4 has a 18.00 MB cache, while the Apple M3 cache has a total of 20.00 MB. |
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Apple M4 | Characteristic | Apple M3 |
3 nm | Technology | 3 nm |
Chiplet | Chip design | Chiplet |
Armv9-A (64 bit) | Instruction set (ISA) | Armv8-A (64 bit) |
Rosetta 2 x86-Emulation, AVX2, SME | ISA extensions | Rosetta 2 x86-Emulation |
-- | Socket | -- |
Apple Virtualization Framework | Virtualization | Apple Virtualization Framework |
Yes | AES-NI | Yes |
macOS, iPadOS | Operating systems | macOS, iPadOS |
Q2/2024 | Release date | Q4/2023 |
-- | Release price | -- |
show more data | show more data | |
Devices using this processor |
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Apple M4 | Apple M3 |
Apple iPad Pro 11 (2024) | Apple iMac 24 (2023) |