Apple M3 Max (16-core) vs Apple M3 Pro (12-core)
71.2Single-core70.5
71Multi-core52.2
93.3Efficiencyspec-based93.3
60Platformspec-based43.4
9 spec wins — Apple M3 Max (16-core)1 spec wins — Apple M3 Pro (12-core)
InnoReviews verdict
Apple M3 Max (16-core) wins this laptop processor face-off, 72.9 to 62.7, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+19) and single-core (+1). Apple M3 Pro (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 M3 Max (16-core)
- Stronger multi-core score: 71 vs 52
- 256% higher Max memory: 128 GB vs 36 GB
- 100% higher Performance cores: 12 vs 6
- 71% higher PassMark: 41,192 vs 24,069
- 64% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 24,200 vs 14,800
Reasons to pick the Apple M3 Pro (12-core)
- 50% higher Efficiency cores: 6 vs 4
General
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Apple M3 Pro (12-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2023 |
| Process | 3 nm | 3 nm |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Apple M3 Pro (12-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 16+33% | 12 |
| Performance cores | 12+100% | 6 |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 6+50% |
| Threads | 16+33% | 12 |
| Boost clock | 4.1 GHz | 4.1 GHz |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Apple M3 Pro (12-core) |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 40-core GPU | Apple 18-core GPU |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Apple M3 Pro (12-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5-6400 | LPDDR5-6400 |
| Max memory | 128 GB+256% | 36 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Apple M3 Pro (12-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,130+1%Top 13% | 3,100Top 14% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 21,200+39%Top 9% | 15,300Top 23% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,950+1%Top 25% | 1,930Top 27% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 24,200+64%Top 13% | 14,800Top 34% |
| PassMark | 41,192+71%Top 13% | 24,069Top 38% |
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