Apple M3 Max 14-Core vs Apple M4 Pro 12-Core
Aggregate performance score
M3 Max 14-Core outperforms M4 Pro 12-Core by a moderate 11% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Contents
Primary details
Comparing processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in the ranking | 439 | 379 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Market segment | Laptop | Laptop |
| Series | no data | Apple M3 |
| Power efficiency | no data | 11.24 |
| Designer | Apple | Apple |
| Release date | 30 October 2024 (1 year ago) | 30 October 2023 (2 years ago) |
Detailed specifications
Basic parameters of M4 Pro 12-Core and M3 Max 14-Core: 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 | 12 (Dodeca-Core) | 14 (Tetradeca-Core) |
| Threads | 12 | 14 |
| Base clock speed | 2.592 GHz | 2.748 GHz |
| Boost clock speed | 4.51 GHz | 4.06 GHz |
| L2 cache | 4 MB | no data |
| Chip lithography | 3 nm | 3 nm |
| Number of transistors | no data | 92000 Million |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
Compatibility
Information on M4 Pro 12-Core and M3 Max 14-Core 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) | no data | 78 Watt |
Memory specs
Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by M4 Pro 12-Core and M3 Max 14-Core. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
| Supported memory types | DDR5 | no data |
Graphics specifications
General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.
| Integrated graphics card | Apple M4 Pro 16-Core GPU | Apple M3 Max 30-Core GPU |
Synthetic benchmarks
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.
Passmark
Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance. Other than that, Passmark measures multi-core performance.
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 19.10 | 21.16 |
| Recency | 30 October 2024 | 30 October 2023 |
| Physical cores | 12 | 14 |
| Threads | 12 | 14 |
Apple M4 Pro 12-Core has an age advantage of 1 year.
Apple M3 Max 14-Core, on the other hand, has a 11% higher aggregate performance score, and 17% more physical cores and 17% more threads.
The Apple M3 Max 14-Core is our recommended choice as it beats the Apple M4 Pro 12-Core in performance tests.
Other comparisons
We've compiled a selection of CPU comparisons, ranging from closely matched processors to other comparisons that may be of interest.
