Apple M1 Max vs Apple M3 Pro 12-Core

VS

Aggregate performance score

Apple M3 Pro 12-Core
2023
12 cores / 12 threads, 27 Watt
16.11
+15.8%
Apple M1 Max
2021
10 cores / 10 threads
13.91

Apple M3 Pro 12-Core outperforms Apple M1 Max by a moderate 16% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Apple M3 Pro 12-Core and Apple M1 Max processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking416534
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Market segmentLaptopLaptop
SeriesApple M3Apple M-Series
Power efficiency56.47no data
Release date30 October 2023 (1 year ago)18 October 2021 (3 years ago)

Detailed specifications

Apple M3 Pro 12-Core and Apple M1 Max 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)10 (Deca-Core)
Threads1210
Base clock speed2.748 GHz2.06 GHz
Boost clock speed4.06 GHz3.22 GHz
L1 cacheno data2.9 MB
L2 cacheno data28 MB
L3 cacheno data48 MB
Chip lithography3 nm5 nm
Number of transistors37000 Million57000 Million
64 bit support++

Compatibility

Information on Apple M3 Pro 12-Core and Apple M1 Max 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)27 Wattno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card
Compare
Apple M3 Pro 18-Core GPUApple M1 Max 32-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 M3 Pro 12-Core 16.11
+15.8%
Apple M1 Max 13.91

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 M3 Pro 12-Core 25587
+15.8%
Apple M1 Max 22098

Cinebench 15 64-bit multi-core

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

Apple M3 Pro 12-Core 2163
+27.9%
Apple M1 Max 1691

Geekbench 5.5 Multi-Core

Apple M3 Pro 12-Core 15298
+20.5%
Apple M1 Max 12697

Geekbench 5.5 Single-Core

Apple M3 Pro 12-Core 2327
+30.6%
Apple M1 Max 1782

WebXPRT 3

Apple M3 Pro 12-Core 427
+18.6%
Apple M1 Max 360

CrossMark Overall

Apple M3 Pro 12-Core 1977
+22.4%
Apple M1 Max 1615

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 16.11 13.91
Recency 30 October 2023 18 October 2021
Physical cores 12 10
Threads 12 10
Chip lithography 3 nm 5 nm

Apple M3 Pro 12-Core has a 15.8% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 2 years, 20% more physical cores and 20% more threads, and a 66.7% more advanced lithography process.

The Apple M3 Pro 12-Core is our recommended choice as it beats the Apple M1 Max in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Apple M3 Pro 12-Core and Apple M1 Max, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Apple M3 Pro 12-Core
M3 Pro 12-Core
Apple M1 Max
M1 Max

Similar processor comparisons

We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.

Community ratings

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


3.7 102 votes

Rate Apple M3 Pro 12-Core on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
2.3 692 votes

Rate Apple M1 Max on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Apple M3 Pro 12-Core or Apple M1 Max, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.