GPU-Beating M3 Smashes M4 Max in CPU Showdown!

Key Points:

• The new Mac Studio is available with two chip options: M3 Ultra and M4 Max, with the M3 Ultra claiming to be up to twice as fast in some workloads.
• Benchmark tests show that the M3 Ultra is not significantly faster than the M4 Max in terms of CPU performance, with some differences in multi-core scores.
• The M3 Ultra is available with a GPU of up to 80 cores, compared to the M4 Max’s 40 cores, making it a better option for graphics-intensive tasks.

Apple has announced a new generation of Mac Studio, available with two different chip options: M3 Ultra and M4 Max. While the M3 Ultra is touted to be up to twice as fast as the M4 Max in some workloads, benchmark tests have shown that the CPU performance difference between the two chips is not as significant as claimed.

In a recent Geekbench 6 test, the high-end version of the M3 Ultra scored 3221 in single-core and 27749 in multi-core, while the high-end version of the M4 Max scored 3921 in single-core and 25650 in multi-core. While the M3 Ultra’s multi-core score is higher, the difference is only 8%, and the M4 Max has faster single-core performance.

It’s worth noting that the M3 Ultra is based on the first generation of the 3nm architecture, which is less efficient than the second generation used in the M4 chips. Additionally, this test only measures CPU performance, and the M4 Max has a lower-power GPU with only 40 cores, compared to the M3 Ultra’s 80 cores.

So, for customers who need a fast computer for tasks that don’t rely heavily on the GPU, the M4 Max Mac Studio starting at $1,999 may be a better option. On the other hand, those who prioritize graphics-intensive tasks may want to opt for the M3 Ultra Mac Studio starting at $3,999.

It’s also possible that Apple is saving the M4 Ultra chip for a new generation of the Mac Pro, to further differentiate it from the Mac Studio. The new Mac Studio is now available for pre-order, with an official launch set for March 12.

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