Apple M3 Max (16-core) vs Apple M6 (12-core)
71.2Single-core98.1
71Multi-core70.6
93.3Efficiencyspec-based100
60Platformspec-based42.2
6 spec wins — Apple M3 Max (16-core)6 spec wins — Apple M6 (12-core)
InnoReviews verdict
Apple M6 (12-core) wins this laptop processor face-off, 78.4 to 72.9, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+27). 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
- 13% higher PassMark: 41,192 vs 36,310
Reasons to pick the Apple M6 (12-core)
- Stronger single-core score: 98 vs 71
- 50% higher Efficiency cores: 6 vs 4
- 47% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 4,610 vs 3,130
- 34% higher PassMark (single thread): 6,406 vs 4,780
- 33% lower process: 2 nm vs 3 nm
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 11% | 4,610+47%Top 1% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 21,200+3%Top 7% | 20,676Top 7% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,950Top 24% | — |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 24,200Top 11% | — |
| PassMark | 41,192+13%Top 12% | 36,310Top 15% |
| PassMark (single thread) | 4,780Top 4% | 6,406+34%Top 1% |
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