Apple M3 Max (16-core) vs Intel Core 3 304
71.2Single-core59.2
71Multi-core30.6
93.3Efficiencyspec-based93
—iGPU40.4
60Platformspec-based37.2
9 spec wins — Apple M3 Max (16-core)3 spec wins — Intel Core 3 304
InnoReviews verdict
Apple M3 Max (16-core) wins this laptop processor face-off, 72.9 to 49.1, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+40) and single-core (+12). Intel Core 3 304 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 single-core score: 71 vs 59
- Stronger multi-core score: 71 vs 31
- 1100% higher Performance cores: 12 vs 1
- 360% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 24,200 vs 5,263
- 254% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 21,200 vs 5,987
Reasons to pick the Intel Core 3 304
- 33% lower process: 2 nm vs 3 nm
General
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core 3 304 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2026 |
| Process | 3 nm | 2 nm+33% |
| Base TDP | — | 15 W |
| Max TDP | — | 35 W |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core 3 304 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 16+220% | 5 |
| Performance cores | 12+1100% | 1 |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 4 |
| Threads | 16+220% | 5 |
| Base clock | — | 1.5 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.1 GHz | 4.3 GHz+6% |
| L3 cache | — | 6 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core 3 304 |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 40-core GPU | Intel Graphics (1 Xe3-core) |
| iGPU clock | — | 2,300 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core 3 304 |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5-6400 | LPDDR5X-7467 / DDR5-6400 |
| Max memory | 128 GB+100% | 64 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Core 3 304 |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,130+30%Top 12% | 2,407Bottom 40% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 21,200+254%Top 8% | 5,987Bottom 14% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,950+10%Top 24% | 1,765Top 43% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 24,200+360%Top 12% | 5,263Bottom 16% |
| PassMark | 41,192+238%Top 11% | 12,194Bottom 22% |
| 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU) | — | 753Bottom 30% |
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