Apple M2 Max (12-core) vs Apple M3 Max (16-core)
60.4Single-core71.2
51.9Multi-core71
80Efficiencyspec-based93.3
52.8Platformspec-based60
0 spec wins — Apple M2 Max (12-core)11 spec wins — Apple M3 Max (16-core)
InnoReviews verdict
Apple M3 Max (16-core) wins this laptop processor face-off, 72.9 to 59.1, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+19) and single-core (+11). Apple M2 Max (12-core) still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Apple M2 Max (12-core)
No decisive spec advantages — this side competes on price and preference.
Reasons to pick the Apple M3 Max (16-core)
- Stronger single-core score: 71 vs 60
- Stronger multi-core score: 71 vs 52
- 66% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 24,200 vs 14,600
- 54% higher PassMark: 41,192 vs 26,834
- 50% higher Performance cores: 12 vs 8
General
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Apple M3 Max (16-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2023 |
| Process | 5 nm | 3 nm+40% |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Apple M3 Max (16-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 12 | 16+33% |
| Performance cores | 8 | 12+50% |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 4 |
| Threads | 12 | 16+33% |
| Boost clock | 3.7 GHz | 4.1 GHz+10% |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Apple M3 Max (16-core) |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 38-core GPU | Apple 40-core GPU |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Apple M3 Max (16-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5-6400 | LPDDR5-6400 |
| Max memory | 96 GB | 128 GB+33% |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Apple M3 Max (16-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 2,760Top 30% | 3,130+13%Top 11% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 14,500Top 25% | 21,200+46%Top 8% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,600Bottom 35% | 1,950+22%Top 25% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 14,600Top 39% | 24,200+66%Top 12% |
| PassMark | 26,834Top 29% | 41,192+54%Top 12% |
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