Apple M3 Max 14-Core vs Apple M2
Aggregate performance score
Apple M3 Max 14-Core outperforms Apple M2 by a whopping 145% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing M2 and M3 Max 14-Core processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in the ranking | 814 | 225 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Market segment | Laptop | Laptop |
| Series | Apple Apple M-Series | Apple M3 |
| Power efficiency | 44.48 | 27.91 |
| Release date | 10 June 2022 (2 years ago) | 30 October 2023 (1 year ago) |
Detailed specifications
M2 and M3 Max 14-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 cores | 8 (Octa-Core) | 14 (Tetradeca-Core) |
| Threads | 8 | 14 |
| Base clock speed | 2.424 GHz | 2.748 GHz |
| Boost clock speed | 3.48 GHz | 4.06 GHz |
| L1 cache | 2 MB | no data |
| L2 cache | 20 MB | no data |
| Chip lithography | 5 nm | 3 nm |
| Number of transistors | 20000 Million | 92000 Million |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
Compatibility
Information on M2 and M3 Max 14-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) | 20 Watt | 78 Watt |
Graphics specifications
General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.
| Integrated graphics card | Apple M2 10-Core GPU ( - 1398 MHz) | Apple M3 Max 30-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.
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.
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 9.40 | 23.00 |
| Recency | 10 June 2022 | 30 October 2023 |
| Physical cores | 8 | 14 |
| Threads | 8 | 14 |
| Chip lithography | 5 nm | 3 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 20 Watt | 78 Watt |
Apple M2 has 290% lower power consumption.
Apple M3 Max 14-Core, on the other hand, has a 144.7% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 1 year, 75% more physical cores and 75% more threads, and a 66.7% more advanced lithography process.
The M3 Max 14-Core is our recommended choice as it beats the M2 in performance tests.
Should you still have questions on choice between Apple M2 and Apple M3 Max 14-Core, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
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