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Apple M3 Benchmark, Test and specs

Last updated: 2024-07-30

The Apple M3 has 8 cores with 8 threads and is based on the 3. gen of the Apple M series series. The processor was released in Q4/2023. The Apple M3 scores 2,150 points in the Geekbench 5 single-core benchmark. In the Geekbench 5 multi-core benchmark, the result is 10,450 points.

At a glance
Name:	Apple M3
Family:	Apple M series (25)
CPU group:	Apple M3 (6)
Architecture:	M3
Technology:	3 nm
Segment:	Notebook
Generation:	3
Predecessor:	Apple M2
Successor:	Apple M4

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The 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). The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.

CPU Cores / Threads:	8 / 8
Core architecture:	hybrid (big.LITTLE)
A-Core:	4x Ibiza P-Core
B-Core:	4x Ibiza E-Core

Hyperthreading / SMT:	No
Overclocking:	No
A-Core Frequency:	0.70 GHz (4.06 GHz)
B-Core Frequency:	0.74 GHz (2.75 GHz)

NPU AI performance

The 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.

AI hardware:	Apple Neural Engine
AI specifications:	16 Neural cores @ 35 TOPS
NPU + CPU + iGPU:	--

Integrated graphics (iGPU)

The Apple M3 has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short. Specifically, the Apple M3 uses the Apple M3 (10 Core), which has 1280 texture shaders and 160 execution units. The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die.

GPU name:	Apple M3 (10 Core)
GPU frequency:	0.39 GHz
GPU (Turbo):	1.40 GHz
Compute units:	160
Shader:	1280
Hardware Raytracing:	Yes
Release date:	Q4/2023

Max. displays:	2
Generation:	3
Direct X:	--
Technology:	3 nm
Max. GPU Memory:	24 GB
Frame Generation:	No

Hardware codec support

A 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.

h265 / HEVC (8 bit):	Decode / Encode
h265 / HEVC (10 bit):	Decode / Encode
h264:	Decode / Encode
VP8:	Decode
VP9:	Decode / Encode

AV1:	Decode
AVC:	Decode
VC-1:	Decode
JPEG:	Decode / Encode

Memory type:	Memory bandwidth:
Memory & PCIe The processor can use up to 24 GB memory in 2 (Dual Channel) memory channels. The maximum memory bandwidth is 102.4 GB/s. The memory type as well as the amount of memory can greatly affect the speed of the system.

LPDDR5-6400	102.4 GB/s
Max. Memory:	24 GB
Memory channels:	2 (Dual Channel)
ECC:	No
PCIe:	4.0
PCIe Bandwidth:	--

Thermal Management The thermal design power (TDP for short) of the processor is 22 W. The TDP specifies the necessary cooling solution that is required to cool the processor sufficiently. The TDP usually gives a rough idea of the actual power consumption of the CPU.

TDP (PL1 / PBP):	22 W
TDP (PL2):	--
TDP up:	--
TDP down:	15 W
Tjunction max.:	100 °C

Technical details

The Apple M3 is made in 3 nm. The smaller the manufacturing process of a CPU, the more modern and energy-efficient it is. Overall, the processor has 20.00 MB cache. A large cache can greatly speed up the processor's speed in some cases such as games.

Technology:	3 nm
Chip design:	Chiplet
Socket:	--
L2-Cache:	20.00 MB
L3-Cache:	--
AES-NI:	Yes
Operating systems:	macOS, iPadOS

Virtualization:	Apple Virtualization Framework
Instruction set (ISA):	Armv8-A (64 bit)
ISA extensions:	Rosetta 2 x86-Emulation
Release date:	Q4/2023
Release price:	--
Part Number:	--
Documents:	--

Apple M3
8C 8T @ 0.70 GHz (4.06 GHz)

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Benchmark results

The benchmark results for the Apple M3 have been carefully checked by us. We only publish benchmark results that have been created by us or that have been submitted by a visitor and then checked by a team member. All results are based on and fullfill our benchmark guidelines.

Screenshots:

Geekbench 6.2.1 on Apple MacBook Pro 14 (16 GB RAM), macOS 14.1

Cinebench 2024 (Single-Core)

The Cinebench 2024 benchmark is based on the Redshift rendering engine, which is also used in Maxon's 3D program Cinema 4D. The benchmark runs are each 10 minutes long to test whether the processor is limited by its heat generation.


	Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU) 14C 14T @ 4.06 GHz	141
	Apple M3 Pro (11-CPU 14-GPU) 11C 11T @ 4.06 GHz	139
	Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite (X1E-00-1DE) 12C 12T @ 4.30 GHz	139
	Apple M3 8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz	137
	Apple M3 (8-GPU) 8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz	137
	Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite (X1E-84-100) 12C 12T @ 4.20 GHz	130
	Intel Core i9-14900HX 24C 32T @ 5.80 GHz	129

Cinebench 2024 (Multi-Core)

The Multi-Core test of the Cinebench 2024 benchmark uses all cpu cores to render using the Redshift rendering engine, which is also used in Maxons Cinema 4D. The benchmark run is 10 minutes long to test whether the processor is limited by its heat generation.


	AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS 6C 12T @ 5.00 GHz	702
	AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 7640HS 6C 12T @ 5.00 GHz	702
	AMD Ryzen 7 5800H 8C 16T @ 4.40 GHz	665
	Apple M3 8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz	659
	Apple M3 (8-GPU) 8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz	659
	Intel Core i5-1240P 12C 16T @ 4.40 GHz	630
	Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU) 8C 8T @ 3.20 GHz	628

Cinebench R23 (Single-Core)

Cinebench R23 is the successor of Cinebench R20 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The single-core test only uses one CPU core, the amount of cores or hyperthreading ability doesn't count.


	Intel Core Ultra 9 288V 8C 8T @ 5.10 GHz	1984
	Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU) 14C 14T @ 4.06 GHz	1968
	Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) 16C 16T @ 4.06 GHz	1968
	Apple M3 8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz	1965
	Apple M3 (8-GPU) 8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz	1965
	AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX 16C 32T @ 5.40 GHz	1955
	Intel Core i9-12900HK 14C 20T @ 5.00 GHz	1938

Cinebench R23 (Multi-Core)

Cinebench R23 is the successor of Cinebench R20 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The multi-core test involves all CPU cores and taks a big advantage of hyperthreading.


	AMD Ryzen 7 4800HS 8C 16T @ 3.80 GHz	10590
	Intel Xeon W-11855M 6C 12T @ 3.80 GHz	10518
	AMD Ryzen 7 5800HS 8C 16T @ 3.50 GHz	10472
	Apple M3 8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz	10437
	Apple M3 (8-GPU) 8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz	10437
	Intel Core i7-1360P 12C 16T @ 2.20 GHz	10422
	AMD Ryzen 7 6800U 8C 16T @ 3.40 GHz	10412

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Geekbench 6 is a partial load benchmark for modern computers, notebooks and smartphones. In the single-core test, only the fastest CPU core is measured. The test run simulates the performance in practice.


	Apple M4 9C 9T @ 4.41 GHz	3665
	Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite (X1E-00-1DE) 12C 12T @ 4.30 GHz	3241
	Apple M3 Pro (12-CPU 18-GPU) 12C 12T @ 4.06 GHz	3152
	Apple M3 8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz	3125
	Apple M3 Pro (11-CPU 14-GPU) 11C 11T @ 4.06 GHz	3125
	Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU) 14C 14T @ 4.06 GHz	3125
	Apple M3 (8-GPU) 8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz	3125

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

The practical Geekbench 6 multi-core benchmark tests the system's performance under partial load. The processor's maximum power consumption is far from being used up.


	Intel Core i9-12900H 14C 20T @ 3.80 GHz	11894
	Intel Core i9-12900HK 14C 20T @ 3.80 GHz	11894
	Intel Core i5-13450HX 10C 16T @ 4.00 GHz	11891
	Apple M3 8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz	11863
	Apple M3 (8-GPU) 8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz	11863
	Intel Core i7-1370PE 14C 20T @ 1.50 GHz	11729
	Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus (X1P-42-100) 8C 8T @ 3.20 GHz	11442

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

Geekbench 5 is a cross plattform benchmark that heavily uses the systems memory. A fast memory will push the result a lot. The single-core test only uses one CPU core, the amount of cores or hyperthreading ability doesn't count.


	Apple M3 Pro (12-CPU 18-GPU) 12C 12T @ 4.06 GHz	2314
	Apple M3 Pro (11-CPU 14-GPU) 11C 11T @ 4.06 GHz	2305
	Intel Core i9-14900HX 24C 32T @ 5.80 GHz	2161
	Apple M3 8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz	2150
	Apple M3 Max (14-CPU 30-GPU) 14C 14T @ 4.06 GHz	2150
	Apple M3 (8-GPU) 8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz	2150
	Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) 16C 16T @ 4.06 GHz	2150

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Geekbench 5 is a cross plattform benchmark that heavily uses the systems memory. A fast memory will push the result a lot. The multi-core test involves all CPU cores and taks a big advantage of hyperthreading.


	AMD Ryzen 9 6980HX 8C 16T @ 4.40 GHz	10645
	AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX 8C 16T @ 4.20 GHz	10609
	Intel Core i5-13600H 12C 16T @ 4.60 GHz	10480
	Apple M3 8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz	10450
	Apple M3 (8-GPU) 8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz	10450
	Intel Core i5-13505H 12C 16T @ 4.40 GHz	10420
	Intel Core i5-13500H 12C 16T @ 4.40 GHz	10420

iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

The theoretical computing performance of the internal graphics unit of the processor with simple accuracy (32 bit) in GFLOPS. GFLOPS indicates how many billion floating point operations the iGPU can perform per second.


	Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite (X1E-80-100) Qualcomm Adreno X1 @ 1.20 GHz	3680
	Intel Core i7-8709G AMD Radeon RX Vega M GH @ 1.19 GHz	3656
	Intel Core i7-8809G AMD Radeon RX Vega M GH @ 1.19 GHz	3656
	Apple M3 Apple M3 (10 Core) @ 1.40 GHz	3550
	Apple M2 Apple M2 (10 Core) @ 1.40 GHz	3550
	AMD Ryzen 7 6800H AMD Radeon 680M @ 2.20 GHz	3379
	AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850H AMD Radeon 680M @ 2.20 GHz	3379

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

Some of the CPUs listed below have been benchmarked by CPU-monkey. However the majority of CPUs have not been tested and the results have been estimated by a CPU-monkey’s secret proprietary formula. As such they do not accurately reflect the actual Passmark CPU mark values and are not endorsed by PassMark Software Pty Ltd.


	AMD Ryzen 5 6600HS 6C 12T @ 3.60 GHz	19102
	AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS 6C 12T @ 3.30 GHz	19102
	AMD Ryzen 5 6600H 6C 12T @ 3.80 GHz	19080
	Apple M3 8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz	18951
	Intel Core i5-12450HX 8C 12T @ 2.40 GHz	18874
	AMD Ryzen 5 7540U 6C 12T @ 3.20 GHz	18832
	Intel Core Ultra 5 125H 14C 18T @ 4.50 GHz	18813

CPU performance per watt (efficiency)

Efficiency of the processor under full load in the Cinebench R23 (multi-core) benchmark. The benchmark result is divided by the average energy required (CPU package power in watts). The higher the value, the more efficient the CPU is under full load.


	Apple M3 10,437 CB R23 MC @ 22 W	474
	Apple M3 (8-GPU) 10,437 CB R23 MC @ 22 W	474
	AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U 13,450 CB R23 MC @ 30 W	448
	AMD Ryzen 7 8840U 13,450 CB R23 MC @ 30 W	448
	AMD Ryzen 7 7840U 13,450 CB R23 MC @ 30 W	448
	AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U 10,675 CB R23 MC @ 24 W	445
	AMD Ryzen 5 8640U 10,675 CB R23 MC @ 24 W	445

AI performance (NPU)

The performance values of the processor's AI unit. The isolated NPU performance is given here, the total AI performance (NPU+CPU+iGPU) can be higher.

Processors 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. The performance is given in the number (trillions) of arithmetic operations per second (TOPS).


	Intel Core Ultra 5 238V 8C 8T @ 2.20 GHz	40
	Apple M4 9C 9T @ 0.70 GHz	38
	Apple M4 (10-CPU) 10C 10T @ 0.70 GHz	38
	Apple M3 8C 8T @ 0.70 GHz	35
	Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) 16C 16T @ 0.70 GHz	35
	Apple M3 Pro (12-CPU 18-GPU) 12C 12T @ 0.70 GHz	35
	Apple M3 (8-GPU) 8C 8T @ 0.70 GHz	35

Benchmarks

Cinebench 2024 (SC)
318 entries

Cinebench 2024 (MC)
317 entries

Cinebench R23 (SC)
609 entries

Cinebench R23 (MC)
591 entries

Geekbench 6 (SC)
1,819 entries

Geekbench 6 (MC)
1,765 entries

Geekbench 5 (SC)
2,501 entries

Geekbench 5 (MC)
2,473 entries

FP32 SP (iGPU)
2,090 entries

PassMark CPU-Mark
2,423 entries

CPU performance per watt (efficiency)
129 entries

AI performance (NPU)
154 entries

Description of the processor

With the Apple M3, the manufacturer has introduced its first third-generation processor. The SoC contains a CPU part that has the same features as the Apple M1 or Apple M2 with 4 P cores and 4 E cores. The cores now clock a little higher at up to 4.06 GHz. This also results in slightly higher CPU performance compared to its predecessors.

The jump in performance compared to the Apple M2 is between 10 and 20 percent and mainly comes from the increased clock frequency. However, minor optimizations have further increased the efficiency of the processor. In our Cinebench R23 efficiency benchmark, which compares the multi-core performance achieved with the energy consumption under full load, the Apple M3 currently takes first place.

The increased efficiency is certainly also due to TSMCs new manufacturing process. TSMC now manufactures the Apple M3 in 3 nm, while the Apple M2 was still manufactured in 5 nm. Due to the increased performance, the TDP of the Apple M3 was increased to 22 watts, while its predecessor still had to make do with 20 watts.

Apple has not touched the memory connection compared to the Apple M2. Up to 24 GB of LPDDR5-6400 memory can still be addressed. The maximum bandwidth is 102.4 GB/s. What is new is the management of shared memory. This is now divided more intelligently between the CPU and the internal graphics (iGPU). Apple calls this “Dynamic Cache”. The new memory management should give the Apple M3 significantly better graphics performance.

And although the pure FP32 raw graphics performance of 3.55 TFLOPS has not changed compared to the Apple M2, the Apple M3 achieves really better frame rates in practice. The AI area of the SoC, which is now twice as large at 35 TOPS, also contributes to this. At the same time, the internal graphics now support hardware decoding of the AV1 code and enable ray tracing in hardware.

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