M3 Max Chip Around as Fast as M2 Ultra in Early Benchmark Results

[MacRumors]

The first benchmark results for Apple's M3 Max chip surfaced in the Geekbench 6 database today, providing a look at CPU performance. Based on the "Mac15,9" model identifier shown, the results appear to be for the new 16-inch MacBook Pro.

The highest multi-core score for the M3 Max with a 16-core CPU is currently 21,084 as of writing. If this early result is accurate, this means the M3 Max is around as fast as the M2 Ultra chip, which has an average multi-core score of 21,182 in the Mac Pro and 21,316 in the Mac Studio, according to a chart on the Geekbench website.

The M3 Max in the new 16-inch MacBook Pro is around 45% faster than the M2 Max chip in the previous-generation 16-inch MacBook Pro, according to the Geekbench website. This is within the ballpark of Apple's claim that the M3 Max is up to 50% faster than the M2 Max, especially given variance in early Geekbench results.

Geekbench 6 multi-core scores for CPU performance:

• M2 Ultra: 21,182 (Mac Pro, averaged)
• M3 Max: 21,084 (16-inch MacBook Pro, highest score listed so far)
• M2 Max: 14,495 (16-inch MacBook Pro, averaged)
• M1 Max: 12,185 (16-inch MacBook Pro, averaged)
• M3: 11,836 (14-inch MacBook Pro, highest score listed so far)

Manufactured with TSMC's 3nm process, the M3 Max has up to a 16-core CPU with 12 performance cores and four efficiency cores. It also has up to a 40-core GPU and can be configured with up to 128GB of unified memory.

The new 16-inch MacBook Pro starts at $3,499 in the U.S. when configured with the M3 Max chip, while the Mac Studio with the M2 Ultra chip starts at $3,999, so you can effectively get the same performance for $500 less with the new 16-inch MacBook Pro, and do not need to supply your own display, keyboard, and mouse.

The first Geekbench 6 results for the standard M3 chip surfaced earlier today, revealing that it is up to 20% faster than the standard M2 chip. Benchmarks provide a useful reference point, but real-world performance can vary.

The new MacBook Pro models are now available to order, and most configurations will begin arriving to customers and launch in stores on Tuesday, November 7. M3 Max configurations will be available later in November.

Article Link: M3 Max Chip Around as Fast as M2 Ultra in Early Benchmark Results

 

[Mr. Dee]

This makes me want to buy one even though have absolutely no use for it except for commenting on Macrumors.

 

[zapmymac]

Sad trombone plays*

 

[Jethr_o]

"The new 16-inch MacBook Pro starts at $3,499 in the U.S. when configured with the M3 Max chip, while the Mac Studio with the M2 Ultra chip starts at $3,999, so you can effectively get the same performance for $500 less ..."

Which points to a pretty quick upgrade timetable for the Studio? Which was already looking overpriced compared to the higher end Mac Minis.

 

[StoneJack]

This is astonishig progress from m1 days wow

 

[sunny5]

The result seems fishy.

 

[TFK.]

I feel dated with my M1 Max

 

[stiligFox]

Once they announced the iPhone 15 Pro had raytracing baked in, I knew I should wait to get a Mac Studio as I figured the M3 would support raytracing as well.

Now I’m extra excited seeing the jump in performance that we’re getting! Looking forward to the M3 Max studio. I finally am ready to jump from my hackintosh to a real Mac - my first real Mac since a 2015 MacBook Pro!

 

[rp2011]

Awesome. Interested in seeing the GPU rendering performance.

 

[rp2011]

Once they announced the iPhone 15 Pro had raytracing baked in, I knew I should wait to get a Mac Studio as I figured the M3 would support raytracing as well.

Now I’m extra excited seeing the jump in performance that we’re getting! Looking forward to the M3 Max studio. I finally am ready to jump from my hackintosh to a real Mac - my first real Mac since a 2015 MacBook Pro!

A lot of people are thinking the same thing. I have the feeling they will sell a whole lot of Mac Studios next year. The Ultra will be bonkers if they can get it to scale properly.

 

[Joe Rossignol]

The result seems fishy.

How so? Apple itself says the M3 Max chip (which has a ~21,000 score on Geekbench) is up to 50% (aka 1.5x) faster than the M2 Max chip (which has a ~14,000 score on Geekbench).

14,000 * 1.5 = 21,000.

 

[0423MAC]

Interesting how new pro level processors with a more advanced manufacturing process released LATER is faster.

I learn a lot around here.

 

[Joe Rossignol]

Interesting how new pro level processors with a more advanced manufacturing process released LATER is faster.

I learn a lot around here.

Should we just never discuss specifics? "The new chip is faster, but we can't give you exact data, as it might upset 0423MAC."

 

[0423MAC]

This makes me want to buy one even though have absolutely no use for it except for commenting on Macrumors.

Now that you secured that first response to this thread I want to be the first to try and peer pressure you to get one.

I will like the image gallery you upload.

 

[midkay]

Incredible jump over the previous Max chips!

 

[falkon-engine]

Holy smokes! All aboard the 3 nanometer express ! A laptop nearly besting the Mac Pro, a mere 4.5 months after its debut.

 

[0423MAC]

Should we just never discuss specifics? "The new chip is faster, but we can't give you exact data, as it might upset 0423MAC."

Eh, I'll admit I was a bit of a jerk there. I appreciate all the info 🙏

I am more frustrated by the ambiguous charts apple has been sharing that has everyone scrambling for info.

 

[midkay]

The result seems fishy.

It makes perfect sense given that the M1 and M2 Max chips had 12 cores (8 performance + 4 efficiency), while the M3 Max has a big jump to 16 cores (12 performance + 4 efficiency). 50% more performance cores, in addition to all the cores being faster, would logically lead to a result like this.

 

[syklee26]

Mac Studio Ultra users just lost half of its value.

 

[till]

That's nearly the same multicore score as Intel's 13900K, which is insane. Extremely interested to see real-world benchmarks like compile times.

 

[picpicmac]

Seems the single core scores are going to be close between the individuals in the chipset:

 

[adr1974]

will safari scroll faster?

 

[sunny5]

How so? Apple itself says the M3 Max chip (which has a ~21,000 score on Geekbench) is up to 50% (aka 1.5x) faster than the M2 Max chip (which has a ~14,000 score on Geekbench 6).

14,000 * 1.5 = 21,000.

Apple's claim means nothing especially when they said "UP TO". It's just an advertisement so dont be fooled. They even said M1 Ultra is as powerful as RTX 3090 which turns out to be false. Also, CPU performance doesn't really multiply so easily.

The single core performance improved by almost 17% compared to M2 series based on Geekbench 6 but that seems to be possible by increasing the clock speed from 3.5 to 4ghz. Also, the CPU core difference is huge: 24 cores vs 16 cores. Beside Apple said that M3 Pro is 20% faster than "M1 Pro" in terms of multi core. How does it even improved by 50% when the single core performance gained only 16%?

The CPU performance improvement wasn't really dramatic compared to M2 and therefore, it's fishy. At this point, I would wait for actual results especially since M3 Max won't be available till late November.

 

[matrix07]

So it's scary fast after all?

 

[Warped9]

Wow! M3 Mac Studio Max is going to be crazy!

And when will that be available? Next Summer?