Apple M3 (8-core) vs Apple M4 Max (16-core)
69.8Single-core86.9
43.3Multi-core80.8
93.3Efficiencyspec-based93.3
35Platformspec-based60
0 spec wins — Apple M3 (8-core)11 spec wins — Apple M4 Max (16-core)
InnoReviews verdict
Apple M4 Max (16-core) wins this laptop processor face-off, 81.1 to 57.6, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+38) and single-core (+17). Apple M3 (8-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 M3 (8-core)
No decisive spec advantages — this side competes on price and preference.
Reasons to pick the Apple M4 Max (16-core)
- Stronger single-core score: 87 vs 70
- Stronger multi-core score: 81 vs 43
- 433% higher Max memory: 128 GB vs 24 GB
- 200% higher Performance cores: 12 vs 4
- 170% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 28,100 vs 10,400
General
| Spec | Apple M3 (8-core) | Apple M4 Max (16-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2024 |
| Process | 3 nm | 3 nm |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M3 (8-core) | Apple M4 Max (16-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 8 | 16+100% |
| Performance cores | 4 | 12+200% |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 4 |
| Threads | 8 | 16+100% |
| Boost clock | 4.1 GHz | 4.5 GHz+11% |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M3 (8-core) | Apple M4 Max (16-core) |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 10-core GPU | Apple 40-core GPU |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M3 (8-core) | Apple M4 Max (16-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5-6400 | LPDDR5X-8533 |
| Max memory | 24 GB | 128 GB+433% |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M3 (8-core) | Apple M4 Max (16-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,090Top 13% | 4,020+30%Top 5% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 11,700Top 49% | 26,300+125%Top 3% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,900Top 29% | 2,230+17%Top 4% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 10,400Bottom 41% | 28,100+170%Top 10% |
| PassMark | 19,056Bottom 46% | 43,917+130%Top 10% |
Related comparisons
Apple M3 (8-core)vs Intel Core i7-14650HXVSApple M3 (8-core)vs AMD Ryzen 7 8840HSVSApple M3 (8-core)vs AMD Ryzen 7 8840UVSApple M3 (8-core)vs Intel Core Ultra 5 325VSApple M4 Max (16-core)vs Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite ExtremeVSApple M4 Max (16-core)vs Apple M6 (12-core)VSApple M4 Max (16-core)vs AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395VSApple M4 Max (16-core)vs Apple M4 Pro (14-core)VS