Apple M2 Max vs Apple M3 Max 16-Core
Aggregate performance score
Apple M3 Max 16-Core outperforms Apple M2 Max by a considerable 48% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing Apple M3 Max 16-Core and Apple M2 Max processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in performance ranking | 224 | 455 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Market segment | Laptop | Laptop |
| Series | Apple M3 | Apple M-Series |
| Release date | 30 October 2023 (less than a year ago) | 17 January 2023 (1 year ago) |
Detailed specifications
Apple M3 Max 16-Core and Apple M2 Max basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.
| Physical cores | 16 (Hexadeca-Core) | 12 (Dodeca-Core) |
| Threads | 1612 x 4.1 GHz Apple M3 P-Core4 x 2.7 GHz Apple M3 E-Core | 12 |
| Base clock speed | 2.748 GHz | 2.424 GHz |
| Boost clock speed | 4.06 GHz | 3.7 GHz |
| L1 cache | no data | 3.3 MB |
| L2 cache | no data | 36 MB |
| L3 cache | no data | 48 MB |
| Chip lithography | 3 nm | 5 nm |
| Number of transistors | 92000 Million | 67000 Million |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
| Unlocked multiplier | No | No |
Compatibility
Information on Apple M3 Max 16-Core and Apple M2 Max compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.
| Power consumption (TDP) | 78 Watt | 79 Watt |
Graphics specifications
General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.
| Integrated graphics card Compare | Apple M3 Max 40-Core GPU | Apple M2 Max 38-Core GPU |
Synthetic benchmark performance
Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.
Combined synthetic benchmark score
This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.
Apple M3 Max 16-Core outperforms Apple M2 Max by 48% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Cinebench 15 64-bit multi-core
Cinebench Release 15 Multi Core is a variant of Cinebench R15 which uses all the processor threads.
Benchmark coverage: 15%
Apple M3 Max 16-Core outperforms Apple M2 Max by 57% in Cinebench 15 64-bit multi-core.
Cinebench 15 64-bit single-core
Cinebench R15 (standing for Release 15) is a benchmark made by Maxon, authors of Cinema 4D. It was superseded by later versions of Cinebench, which use more modern variants of Cinema 4D engine. The Single Core version (sometimes called Single-Thread) only uses a single processor thread to render a room full of reflective spheres and light sources.
Benchmark coverage: 15%
Apple M3 Max 16-Core outperforms Apple M2 Max by 15% in Cinebench 15 64-bit single-core.
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 21.84 | 14.71 |
| Recency | 30 October 2023 | 17 January 2023 |
| Physical cores | 16 | 12 |
| Threads | 1612 x 4.1 GHz Apple M3 P-Core4 x 2.7 GHz Apple M3 E-Core | 12 |
| Chip lithography | 3 nm | 5 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 78 Watt | 79 Watt |
The Apple M3 Max 16-Core is our recommended choice as it beats the Apple M2 Max in performance tests.
Should you still have questions on choice between Apple M3 Max 16-Core and Apple M2 Max, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
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