M3 Pro Chip Barely Faster Than M2 Pro in Unverified Benchmark Result

[MacRumors]

Apple's new M3 Pro chip with a 12-core CPU offers only marginally faster CPU performance compared to the M2 Pro chip with a 12-core CPU, according to a Geekbench 6 result spotted today by Vadim Yuryev, co-host of the YouTube channel Max Tech. This is only a single benchmark result, so further results are needed to ensure accuracy.

Apple announced new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chips on Monday. This benchmark result appears to be for the 14-inch model, based on the "Mac15,6" model identifier listed.

The result shows the M3 Pro has a single-core score of 3,035 and a multi-core score of 15,173. If these scores are accurate, the M3 Pro is up to 14% faster than the M2 Pro in terms of single-core performance, but only up to 6% faster in terms of multi-core performance for the most demanding tasks and workflows.

Both the M2 Pro and M3 Pro are equipped with up to a 12-core CPU, but the M3 Pro has only six high-performance cores and six efficiency cores, while the M2 Pro has eight high-performance cores and four efficiency cores. So while the M3 Pro is manufactured with TSMC's 3nm process, compared to 5nm for the M2 Pro, the chip's resulting performance gains are diminished due to it having two fewer performance cores. The M3 Pro also has 25% less memory bandwidth and one fewer GPU core compared to the M2 Pro.

By limiting the M3 Pro's number of high-performance cores, Apple has created more differentiation between the M3 Pro and the M3 Max, which has up to 12 high-performance cores. However, as a result, the M3 Pro is only marginally faster than the M2 Pro.

Geekbench 6 results from earlier this week showed that the M3 Max is up to 45% faster than the M2 Max, while the standard M3 chip is up to 20% faster than the standard M2 chip, so the M3 Pro is by far the least improved chip of the series. Of course, the M3 Pro is still a significant upgrade for those coming from an Intel-based Mac. M3 Pro is also up to 20% faster than the M1 Pro chip, which is a decent improvement.

As always, benchmarks provide a useful reference point, but real-world performance can vary.

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

Article Link: M3 Pro Chip Barely Faster Than M2 Pro in Unverified Benchmark Result

 

[davidec]

Lower memory bandwidth affecting overall performance?

 

[JPack]

Better to call it M3 Plus.

 

[Two Appleseeds]

But the M3 Pro comes in space black

 

[Scoob Redux]

14% and 6% are decent improvements. Why would you expect more for an annual upgrade? We don't need a revolution every year...just incremental improvements.

 

[mrmister]

Not great—this reworking of where the m3 Pro stands is mostly so that users will feel compelled to get the M3 Max chips, at a lot more money for Apple.

It's their choice to make, but it's hard not to see this as a way to squeeze all the MBP users who actually want powerful chips.

 

[opuscroakus]

*pats M2 Pro Mac Mini lovingly on top of the case*

 

[mike2q]

14% and 6% are decent improvements. Why would you expect more for an annual upgrade? We don't need a revolution every year...just incremental improvements.

The problem is that silicon competitors are improving at a much faster rate so Apple's watt/performance superiority will be very short lived if it continues at this pace.

 

[sdf]

The problem is that silicon competitors are improving at a much faster rate so Apple's watt/performance superiority will be very short lived if it continues at this pace.

Well, yes? It's much easier to make performance gains when you're not near the current practical maximum.

 

[SoldOnApple]

Less scary fast, more timidly fast?

 

[Silly John Fatty]

M3 Pro Chip Barely Faster Than M2 Pro in Unverified Benchmark Result​

That’s because I got the mini M2 Pro recently, so they’re slowing down now

 

[ksj1]

Not great—this reworking of where the m3 Pro stands is mostly so that users will feel compelled to get the M3 Max chips, at a lot more money for Apple.

It's their choice to make, but it's hard not to see this as a way to squeeze all the MBP users who actually want powerful chips.

I disagree. The current M2 Pro pretty much hits the sweet spot for performance in a corporate environment, so I agree with Scoob in that these numbers are fine.

I also disagree that it somehow forces users to the Max.

And there is a difference between wanting and needing more powerful chips.

 

[CloudsNeverDie]

Battery life may be better though, with those two Ps replaced by Es.

 

[drugdoubles]

6% faster only? Sound like what will happen to iPhone 16 too, and also this is benchmark only, practical use speed difference should be closed to zero.

 

[whitemage]

Apple: 8 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD is enough for base MacBook models in 2023.
Customers: No deal.
Apple: When we said scary fast, we meant the short event duration, not the Apple M3.
Customers: No deal.

 

[drugdoubles]

Less scary fast, more timidly fast?

Just scary expensive

 

[blazerunner]

The entire tech space is dunking on Intel's 14th gen processors but Apple will get a pass with M3 being a flop.

Why?

 

[mrmister]

I also disagree that it somehow forces users to the Max.

And there is a difference between wanting and needing more powerful chips.

Not sure what disagreeing means in this context—they did it for reasons, and the reason is to sell more Max chips. Inherently that’s less good for us, the public.

I get that these boards are apologist, but does anyone actually believe that’s not why this was done, in the current rough waters for all laptop sales.

 

[F23]

scary fast describes how quickly money comes to Sith Lord Timmy

 

[shinkansenwarrior]

Not great—this reworking of where the m3 Pro stands is mostly so that users will feel compelled to get the M3 Max chips, at a lot more money for Apple.

It's their choice to make, but it's hard not to see this as a way to squeeze all the MBP users who actually want powerful chips.

Apple are getting smarter and smarter at the upselling game.
Getting buyers to move away from M3 Pro to leaning towards M3 Pro Max.
Now we know the true Pro Max = Profit Max.

 

[gmnygts]

Maybe there are two flavors of the Pro ...like the M2—a higher performance version for the mini and studio. The higher performance version is to be introduced with the "new" mini/studio.

 

[fel10]

This whole line up screams rushed

 

[Think creative]

Well it's been less than a year. The m3 pro 14 is still an upgrade over the m2 pro that was available two weeks ago. That being said, I'm not upset I bought a base m2 Pro in July, minus the color. These are all really good machines, and while progress isn't as fast as the leap to AS, it's still trucking right along. For real world usage, even the M1 is still great for 98% of users. The ones that need more are probably on the max train anyway.

 

[Royksöpp]

Apple silicon is already so good that any updates will be incremental at best. With that being said, they really hit out of the park from the get go. The M1 was a revolution.

 

[StoneJack]

The problem is that silicon competitors are improving at a much faster rate so Apple's watt/performance superiority will be very short lived if it continues at this pace.

well we don't ilve for CPU superiority...