Apple M3 Max 16-Core vs Apple M4 Pro (12 cores)
Aggregate performance score
Apple M3 Max 16-Core outperforms Apple M4 Pro (12 cores) by a significant 25% 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 | 323 | 238 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Market segment | Laptop | Laptop |
| Series | Apple M4 | Apple M3 |
| Power efficiency | 24.83 | 12.72 |
| Designer | Apple | Apple |
| Release date | 30 October 2024 (less than a year ago) | 30 October 2023 (1 year ago) |
Detailed specifications
M4 Pro (12 cores) and M3 Max 16-Core 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 | 12 (Dodeca-Core) | 16 (Hexadeca-Core) |
| Threads | 12 | 16 |
| 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 cores) and M3 Max 16-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) | 32 Watt | 78 Watt |
Memory specs
Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by M4 Pro (12 cores) and M3 Max 16-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 16-core GPU | Apple M3 Max 40-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.
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.
Geekbench 5.5 Multi-Core
CrossMark Overall
Geekbench 6.4 Multi-Core
Geekbench 6.4 Single-Core
Geekbench 6.3 Multi-Core
Geekbench 6.3 Single-Core
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 20.55 | 25.65 |
| Recency | 30 October 2024 | 30 October 2023 |
| Physical cores | 12 | 16 |
| Threads | 12 | 16 |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 32 Watt | 78 Watt |
Apple M4 Pro (12 cores) has an age advantage of 1 year, and 143.8% lower power consumption.
Apple M3 Max 16-Core, on the other hand, has a 24.8% higher aggregate performance score, and 33.3% more physical cores and 33.3% more threads.
The Apple M3 Max 16-Core is our recommended choice as it beats the Apple M4 Pro (12 cores) 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.
