Apple M3 Pro 11-Core vs Apple M2 Max

VS

Aggregate performance score

Apple M2 Max
2023
12 cores / 12 threads, 79 Watt
16.81
+7.7%
Apple M3 Pro 11-Core
2023
11 cores / 11 threads, 27 Watt
15.61

Apple M2 Max outperforms Apple M3 Pro 11-Core by a small 8% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing M2 Max and M3 Pro 11-Core processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking393443
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Market segmentLaptopLaptop
SeriesApple M-SeriesApple M3
Power efficiency20.1454.71
Release date17 January 2023 (1 year ago)30 October 2023 (1 year ago)

Detailed specifications

M2 Max and M3 Pro 11-Core basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores12 (Dodeca-Core)11 (Undeca-Core)
Threads1211
Base clock speed2.424 GHz2.748 GHz
Boost clock speed3.7 GHz4.06 GHz
L1 cache3.3 MBno data
L2 cache36 MBno data
L3 cache48 MBno data
Chip lithography5 nm3 nm
Number of transistors67000 Million37000 Million
64 bit support++

Compatibility

Information on M2 Max and M3 Pro 11-Core compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Power consumption (TDP)79 Watt27 Watt

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card
Compare
Apple M2 Max 38-Core GPUApple M3 Pro 14-Core GPU

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

Apple M2 Max 16.81
+7.7%
Apple M3 Pro 11-Core 15.61

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

Apple M2 Max 26694
+7.7%
Apple M3 Pro 11-Core 24788

Cinebench 15 64-bit multi-core

Cinebench Release 15 Multi Core is a variant of Cinebench R15 which uses all the processor threads.

Apple M2 Max 2084
+8.9%
Apple M3 Pro 11-Core 1913

Cinebench 15 64-bit single-core

Cinebench R15 (standing for Release 15) is a benchmark made by Maxon, authors of Cinema 4D. It was superseded by later versions of Cinebench, which use more modern variants of Cinema 4D engine. The Single Core version (sometimes called Single-Thread) only uses a single processor thread to render a room full of reflective spheres and light sources.

Apple M2 Max 236
Apple M3 Pro 11-Core 281
+19.1%

Geekbench 5.5 Multi-Core

Apple M2 Max 15373
+15.5%
Apple M3 Pro 11-Core 13312

Geekbench 5.5 Single-Core

Apple M2 Max 1967
Apple M3 Pro 11-Core 2331
+18.5%

WebXPRT 3

Apple M2 Max 405
Apple M3 Pro 11-Core 431
+6.6%

CrossMark Overall

Apple M2 Max 1835
Apple M3 Pro 11-Core 1966
+7.2%

Geekbench 6.3 Multi-Core

Apple M2 Max 14863
+3.1%
Apple M3 Pro 11-Core 14412

Geekbench 6.3 Single-Core

Apple M2 Max 2692
Apple M3 Pro 11-Core 3113
+15.6%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 16.81 15.61
Recency 17 January 2023 30 October 2023
Physical cores 12 11
Threads 12 11
Chip lithography 5 nm 3 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 79 Watt 27 Watt

Apple M2 Max has a 7.7% higher aggregate performance score, and 9.1% more physical cores and 9.1% more threads.

Apple M3 Pro 11-Core, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 9 months, a 66.7% more advanced lithography process, and 192.6% lower power consumption.

Given the minimal performance differences, no clear winner can be declared between M2 Max and M3 Pro 11-Core.


Should you still have questions on choice between Apple M2 Max and Apple M3 Pro 11-Core, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Apple M2 Max
M2 Max
Apple M3 Pro 11-Core
M3 Pro 11-Core

Similar processor comparisons

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Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


3 236 votes

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3.6 100 votes

Rate M3 Pro 11-Core on a scale of 1 to 5:

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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about M2 Max or M3 Pro 11-Core, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.