Apple M3 Max (16-core) vs Apple M6 (12-core)
65.6Single-core100
66.5Multi-core65.8
93.3Efficiencyspec-based100
60Platformspec-based42.2
5 spec wins — Apple M3 Max (16-core)5 spec wins — Apple M6 (12-core)
InnoReviews verdict
Apple M6 (12-core) wins this laptop processor face-off, 77.1 to 69.6, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+34). Apple M3 Max (16-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)
- 300% higher Max memory: 128 GB vs 32 GB
- 100% higher Performance cores: 12 vs 6
- 33% higher cores: 16 vs 12
- 33% higher threads: 16 vs 12
Reasons to pick the Apple M6 (12-core)
- Stronger single-core score: 100 vs 66
- 50% higher Efficiency cores: 6 vs 4
- 47% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 4,610 vs 3,130
- 33% lower process: 2 nm vs 3 nm
- 19% higher Boost clock: 4.8 GHz vs 4.1 GHz
General
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Apple M6 (12-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2026 |
| Process | 3 nm | 2 nm+33% |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Apple M6 (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 | 4.8 GHz+19% |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Apple M6 (12-core) |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 40-core GPU | Apple 12-core GPU |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Apple M6 (12-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5-6400 | LPDDR5X |
| Max memory | 128 GB+300% | 32 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Apple M6 (12-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,130Top 16% | 4,610+47%Top 2% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 21,200+3%Top 13% | 20,676Top 15% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,950Top 37% | — |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 24,200Top 20% | — |
| PassMark | — | 36,209Top 30% |
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