Apple M2 Max (12-core) vs Apple M3 (8-core)
47.6Single-core63.3
41.5Multi-core30.9
80Efficiency93.3
52.8Platform35
6 spec wins — Apple M2 Max (12-core)4 spec wins — Apple M3 (8-core)
InnoReviews verdict
This one is close to a dead heat: Apple M2 Max (12-core) scores 51.5 against 51 for Apple M3 (8-core). Pick by the categories that matter to you — Apple M2 Max (12-core) edges ahead in platform and Multi-core, or by price.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Apple M2 Max (12-core)
- Stronger Multi-core score: 42 vs 31
- Stronger platform score: 53 vs 35
- 300% higher Max memory: 96 GB vs 24 GB
- 100% higher Performance cores: 8 vs 4
- 50% higher cores: 12 vs 8
Reasons to pick the Apple M3 (8-core)
- Stronger Single-core score: 63 vs 48
- Stronger efficiency score: 93 vs 80
- 40% lower process: 3 nm vs 5 nm
- 19% higher Cinebench R23 (single): 1,900 vs 1,600
- 12% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 3,090 vs 2,760
General
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Apple M3 (8-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2023 |
| Process | 5 nm | 3 nm+40% |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Apple M3 (8-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 12+50% | 8 |
| Performance cores | 8+100% | 4 |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 4 |
| Threads | 12+50% | 8 |
| Boost clock | 3.7 GHz | 4.1 GHz+10% |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Apple M3 (8-core) |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 38-core GPU | Apple 10-core GPU |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Apple M3 (8-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5-6400 | LPDDR5-6400 |
| Max memory | 96 GB+300% | 24 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Apple M3 (8-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 2,760Top 42% | 3,090+12%Top 17% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 14,500+24%Top 36% | 11,700Top 65% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,600Top 79% | 1,900+19%Top 37% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 14,600+40%Top 56% | 10,400Top 83% |
Related comparisons
Apple M2 Max (12-core)vs Intel Core Ultra 9 185HVSApple M2 Max (12-core)vs Intel Core Ultra 7 155HVSApple M2 Max (12-core)vs AMD Ryzen 5 220VSApple M2 Max (12-core)vs AMD Ryzen 5 8645HSVSApple M3 (8-core)vs Intel Core Ultra 9 185HVSApple M3 (8-core)vs Intel Core Ultra 7 155HVSApple M3 (8-core)vs AMD Ryzen 5 8645HSVSApple M3 (8-core)vs Intel Core Ultra 9 288VVS