M3 Pro/Max vs M2 Pro/Max: Unveiling the Ultimate Showdown

Next-Generation Chips

At Apple’s much-anticipated “Scary Fast” event on October 30, 2023, the tech giant unveiled its latest innovations – the M3 Pro and M3 Max chips. These cutting-edge processors are a leap forward, built on a 3nm process that promises enhanced efficiency and performance compared to their predecessors, the M2 Pro and M2 Max chips.

The Power Within

The M3 Pro and M3 Max chips bring several key improvements over the M2 series, including:

Boosted CPU Cores

• M3 Pro: 12 CPU cores (up from 10 in M2 Pro)
• M3 Max: 16 CPU cores (up from 12 in M2 Max)

Enhanced GPU Cores

• M3 Pro: 19 GPU cores (up from 16 in M2 Pro)
• M3 Max: 38 GPU cores (up from 32 in M2 Max)

Expanded Unified Memory

• M3 Pro: Up to 36GB of unified memory (up from 32GB in M2 Pro)
• M3 Max: Up to 128GB of unified memory (up from 96GB in M2 Max)

The Need for Speed

Apple proudly claims that the M3 Pro and M3 Max chips are game-changers in terms of speed. Their performance eclipses that of their M2 predecessors, with Apple boasting:

• M3 Pro: Up to 40% faster CPU performance and up to 60% faster GPU performance compared to M2 Pro.
• M3 Max: Even more impressive, with up to 60% faster CPU performance and up to 80% faster GPU performance compared to M2 Max.

Benchmarks Confirm

The initial benchmarks for the M3 Pro and M3 Max chips are now surfacing, affirming Apple’s claims. Notable results include the Geekbench 5 single-core benchmark, where the M3 Pro scored 2200 points and the M3 Max reached 2400 points, outshining the M2 Pro (1800 points) and M2 Max (2000 points).

In the Geekbench 5 multi-core benchmark, the M3 Pro scored 14000 points and the M3 Max reached 16000 points, surpassing the M2 Pro (12000 points) and M2 Max (14000 points).

The Final Verdict

Apple’s M3 Pro and M3 Max chips represent the pinnacle of the company’s chip technology. They not only outperform the M2 chips but also introduce substantial enhancements such as increased CPU cores, GPU cores, and unified memory.

For those seeking the most potent Mac available, an M3 Pro or M3 Max chip is the undisputed choice.