M3 Ultra Chip's Massive 80-Core Graphics Performance Revealed in Benchmark Result

[MacRumors]

Apple's new M3 Ultra chip can be configured with a massive 80-core GPU, and an early benchmark result offers a look at its graphics performance.

In one Geekbench 6 result for the new Mac Studio, the M3 Ultra with an 80-core GPU achieved a Metal score of 259,668, up from 222,582 for the M2 Ultra chip with a 76-core GPU in the previous-generation Mac Studio. If that single result is accurate, then the M3 Ultra offers up to 16% faster graphics performance than the M2 Ultra.

This means the M3 Ultra offers the best graphics performance of any Apple chip ever.

In the 16-inch MacBook Pro, the highest-end M4 Max chip with a 40-core GPU has an average Metal score of 187,460, so the M3 Ultra appears to offer up to 38% faster graphics performance than the M4 Max based on the one result.

A few other Geekbench 6 results for the M3 Ultra chip with an 80-core GPU show Metal scores in the 195,000 range. We believe those results are inaccurate, as it would not make any sense for the score to be that low.

As for CPU performance, we previously reported that the M3 Ultra is up to 10% faster than the previous-fastest M4 Max chip.

The new Mac Studio is available to pre-order now on Apple's online store, and it will launch in stores on Wednesday, March 12. In the U.S., pricing starts at $1,999 for M4 Max configurations, and at $3,999 for M3 Ultra configurations.

Article Link: M3 Ultra Chip's Massive 80-Core Graphics Performance Revealed in Benchmark Result

 

[mazz0]

So it's potentially quite a significant upgrade over the M4 Max, which might make the value proposition clearer for some (given the value proposition of the Ultra based on CPU performance is quite unclear), but we don't have enough results to know for sure yet?

 

[StuBeck]

I'm hoping that Apple can get ahead of these CPU launches shortly to clear this up. Having multiple generations around makes a certain amount of sense, but having a previous generation chip be newly released and faster than the new gen chips that were released before it doesn't make a lot of sense.

 

[europoor]

can this run minecraft

 

[Ifti]

Apple should release a new generation when all variants of the chip are actually ready, and all MacBooks and Desktops can be updated at the same time. Simple.

 

[Chungry]

All dressed up and nowhere to go

 

[Timpetus]

Considering the GPU is the entire point of the M3 Ultra, I'd really hope it beats the M4 Max by a clear margin! Still seems odd but I'm not the target customer for the Ultra chips anyway. Max chips are perfectly fine for my photo editing Macs.

 

[phuklok1]

note they don't compare to AMD or NVIDIA GPU performance. It really, really sucks the M-series of Macs can no longer use external GPUs. This really screwed up our workflows. Would be great if Apple still produced or supported a new x86 (AMD/Intel) option if they were intent of gimping M chip based macs this way.

It is requiring our organization to move off of Apple products for workstations and I am really going to miss the integration and UI of Mac OS when working on these. (And on downtime, I personally miss being able to use parallels for some gaming sessions on high end GPUs.)

 

[Joe Rossignol]

So it's potentially quite a significant upgrade over the M4 Max, which might make the value proposition clearer for some (given the value proposition of the Ultra based on CPU performance is quite unclear), but we don't have enough results to know for sure yet?

Looking like a maxed-out M3 Ultra has a ~10% faster CPU and a ~40% faster GPU compared to a maxed-out M4 Max.

So yeah, graphics performance is definitely the key advantage.

 

[Eric5h5]

can this run minecraft

No, but it can run Crysis on low settings.

 

[MysteriousStain]

This is a little humbling as I’m on the verge of ordering an M4 mini but seeing as I’m coming off a 2012 MBP then my gains should be even greater! 😁

 

[MrENGLISH]

I'm hoping that Apple can get ahead of these CPU launches shortly to clear this up. Having multiple generations around makes a certain amount of sense, but having a previous generation chip be newly released and faster than the new gen chips that were released before it doesn't make a lot of sense.

Pretty sure Apple is just saving the M4 Ultra launch for the Mac Pro 2025. That would give the Mac Pro the edge over the Mac Studio moving forward with the Mac Studio always being a generation behind with the Ultra lineup.

My preference would be to just ditch the Mac Pro in favor of the Mac Studio. But I think Apple needs to do this to justify the Mac Pro's existence over the Mac Studio moving forward.

 

[Frankied22]

I mean at that price point I would hope it's the best GPU they have ever had. However, I am sure it still can't compete to a dedicated GPU from AMD or NVIDIA, which is unfortunate.

 

[SpotOnT]

I wish Apple would allow for external GPUs for those who need it.

I can’t think of any real reason for Apple not to offer it, other than they’re just lazy.

 

[GMShadow]

Pretty sure Apple is just saving the M4 Ultra launch for the Mac Pro 2025. That would give the Mac Pro the edge over the Mac Studio moving forward with the Mac Studio always being a generation behind with the Ultra lineup.

My preference would be to just ditch the Mac Pro in favor of the Mac Studio. But I think Apple needs to do this to justify the Mac Pro's existence over the Mac Studio moving forward.

There's no UltraFusion interconnect on the M4 Max. Apple engineering also said that means no M4 Ultra.

 

[StuBeck]

Pretty sure Apple is just saving the M4 Ultra launch for the Mac Pro 2025. That would give the Mac Pro the edge over the Mac Studio moving forward with the Mac Studio always being a generation behind with the Ultra lineup.

My preference would be to just ditch the Mac Pro in favor of the Mac Studio. But I think Apple needs to do this to justify the Mac Pro's existence over the Mac Studio moving forward.

They've said its technically not possible for an M4 Ultra proc to exist, but the rumors are they'll make a M4.5 Max proc that can be used to make a M4 Ultra.

I just think releasing an old gen proc after you've just switched most everything else to a newer processor is silly either way.

 

[asparagus]

Look, the numbers are great and all that, but I can't run games on it. I get the whole - buy a PS5 argument (and I own one) but if it were easier on game devs to port it'd be a very nice thing.

 

[djinn]

No, but it can run Crysis on low settings.

Isn't Cyberpunk the new Crysis benchmark now?

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Apple should release a new generation when all variants of the chip are actually ready, and all MacBooks and Desktops can be updated at the same time. Simple.

I like how some people think that new chips are just a button push away.
Like Apple can just push the “M4Ultra” button and all of a sudden it’s developed packaged put in computers, assembled, and ready to go.
There are no chip manufacturers that work that way.

 

[greenbreadmmm]

Looking like a maxed-out M3 Ultra has a ~10% faster CPU and a ~40% faster GPU compared to a maxed-out M4 Max.

So yeah, graphics performance is definitely the key advantage.

Kinda brutal stats for a 2x minimum cost increase.

 

[H2SO4]

note they don't compare to AMD or NVIDIA GPU performance. It really, really sucks the M-series of Macs can no longer use external GPUs. This really screwed up our workflows. Would be great if Apple still produced or supported a new x86 (AMD/Intel) option if they were intent of gimping M chip based macs this way.

It is requiring our organization to move off of Apple products for workstations and I am really going to miss the integration and UI of Mac OS when working on these. (And on downtime, I personally miss being able to use parallels for some gaming sessions on high end GPUs.)

Yep. We're gonna have to make a decision one way or the other at some date in the future. I'm not into graphics but do need Intel. have recently bought used one of the last MacBook Pro to go with my 2019 Mac pro.

 

[turbineseaplane]

All dresses up and nowhere to go

It's like the iPad Pro

Lamborghini stuck in traffic on Interstate iPadOS

 

[switz]

Since the M4 was intentionally designed without the webbing to make an Ultra chip, that means they were working on perhaps a new major single chip idea that failed and the emergency response was to quickly clone a M3 Ultra out of the M3 parts bins. Maybe the memory capacity increase option was always in the M3 chip? Was upping the USB-C to V5 in the chip design?

Otherwise, we have to go with the assumption Apple created the M3 Ultra chip for their own server farm(s) probably without the fancy Mac Studio enclosure.

The more I read, the less I am inclined to acquire this generation of Ultra Mac Studio even though I can afford it.

 

[MrENGLISH]

There's no UltraFusion interconnect on the M4 Max. Apple engineering also said that means no M4 Ultra.

If it is true that there is no interconnect on the M4 Max, then that would make sense. But I thought the same thing was said about the M3 Max and that turned out to be false.

 

[Dr McKay]

Isn't Cyberpunk the new Crysis benchmark now?

M4 Max can run it in crossover at ultra settings 1080p at an average of 80fps (this halves if you enable ray tracing). CDPR announced a native apple silicon port will be coming “early 2025” though.