M3 Ultra vs M4 Max: Surprising Benchmark Results Show Minimal CPU Performance Gains

M3 Ultra vs. M4 Max in CPU Performance

Apple recently unveiled a new generation of the Mac Studio, offering two chip options: the M3 Ultra and the M4 Max. Despite Apple's claim that the M3 Ultra is up to twice as fast as the M4 Max in certain tasks, benchmark tests reveal a more nuanced picture.

Benchmark Results:

• M3 Ultra (32-core CPU):
  • Single-core: 3221
  • Multi-core: 27749
• M4 Max (16-core CPU):
  • Single-core: 3921
  • Multi-core: 25650

While the M3 Ultra has a slight edge in multi-core performance (8% higher), the M4 Max boasts faster single-core performance. This indicates that the M4 Max may be more efficient for tasks that require quicker per-core processing.

Key Considerations:

• Architecture: The M3 series is based on TSMC's first-generation 3nm architecture, which is less efficient than the second-generation used in the M4 and A18 chips. This likely explains the lower single-core performance of the M3 Ultra.
• GPU and Memory Bandwidth: The M3 Ultra offers a significant advantage in GPU cores (up to 80 vs. 40) and memory bandwidth (800GB/s vs. 500GB/s), making it a better choice for graphics-intensive tasks.

For Users:

• CPU Performance: Customers looking for a fast computer without heavy reliance on the GPU can opt for the M4 Max Mac Studio, which starts at $1,999 and offers similar CPU performance to the more expensive M3 Ultra ($3,999).
• Differentiation: It's speculated that Apple reserved the M4 Ultra variant for a future Mac Pro to further distinguish it from the Mac Studio.

The new Mac Studio is now available for pre-order and will launch on March 12.