Apple M3 Max 16-Core vs Apple M4 Pro (12 cores)
Aggregate performance score
Apple M4 Pro (12 cores) outperforms Apple M3 Max 16-Core by a small 8% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing Apple M4 Pro (12 cores) and Apple M3 Max 16-Core processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in the ranking | 167 | 192 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Market segment | Desktop processor | Laptop |
| Series | Apple M4 | Apple M3 |
| Power efficiency | 82.78 | 31.33 |
| Release date | 30 October 2024 (less than a year ago) | 30 October 2023 (1 year ago) |
Detailed specifications
Apple M4 Pro (12 cores) and Apple 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 Apple M4 Pro (12 cores) and Apple 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 Apple M4 Pro (12 cores) and Apple 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 Compare | 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. 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.
Geekbench 5.5 Multi-Core
CrossMark Overall
Geekbench 6.3 Multi-Core
Geekbench 6.3 Single-Core
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 27.99 | 25.82 |
| 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 a 8.4% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 1 year, and 143.8% lower power consumption.
Apple M3 Max 16-Core, on the other hand, has 33.3% more physical cores and 33.3% more threads.
Given the minimal performance differences, no clear winner can be declared between Apple M4 Pro (12 cores) and Apple M3 Max 16-Core.
Note that Apple M4 Pro (12 cores) is a desktop processor while Apple M3 Max 16-Core is a notebook one.
Should you still have questions on choice between Apple M4 Pro (12 cores) and Apple M3 Max 16-Core, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
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