Unveiling the CPU Powerhouse: M3 Ultra vs M4 Max in Mac Studio
Apple has recently unveiled a new generation of Mac Studio, introducing two powerhouse chips: the M3 Ultra and the M4 Max. Despite Apple’s assertion that the M3 Ultra is up to twice as fast as the M4 Max in certain workloads, benchmark tests tell a different story, revealing that the CPU performance between these two chips is surprisingly close.
Benchmark Insights: Geekbench 6 Results
A recent Geekbench 6 test conducted on the Mac Studio equipped with the high-end M3 Ultra chip provides a glimpse into the capabilities of Apple’s most powerful chip to date. The M3 Ultra, featuring a 32-core CPU, achieved scores of 3221 in single-core and 27749 in multi-core tests. Impressive as these numbers are, they don’t significantly outpace the M4 Max.
In comparison, the M4 Max, with its 16-core CPU, scored 3921 in single-core and 25650 in multi-core tests. This indicates that while the M4 Max has faster individual CPU cores, the M3 Ultra edges ahead in multi-core performance by a mere 8%.
Understanding the Performance Gap
Several factors contribute to the observed performance differences:
- Chip Architecture: The M3 series is built on the first generation of TSMC’s 3-nanometer architecture, the same as the A17 Pro chip. In contrast, the M4 series benefits from the more efficient second generation of this technology, which likely explains the M3 Ultra’s lower single-core performance.
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Beyond CPU: It’s important to note that these tests focus solely on CPU performance. The M3 Ultra can be configured with up to an 80-core GPU, while the M4 Max tops out at 40 cores. This difference could lead to a significant performance gap in graphics-intensive tasks. Additionally, the M3 Ultra boasts higher memory bandwidth at 800GB/s compared to the M4 Max’s 500GB/s.
What This Means for Consumers
For users prioritizing CPU performance over GPU capabilities, the M4 Max Mac Studio, starting at $1,999, offers a compelling alternative to the pricier M3 Ultra version, which starts at $3,999. Both chips deliver similar CPU performance, making the M4 Max a more budget-friendly choice for certain tasks.
Apple’s Strategic Move
Some speculate that Apple’s decision to launch the M3 Ultra instead of the M4 Ultra is a strategic move to reserve the M4 Ultra for a future Mac Pro, further differentiating it from the Mac Studio.
Availability and Pre-Orders
The new Mac Studio is now available for pre-order, with the official launch scheduled for March 12. Customers eager to experience the power of either the M3 Ultra or M4 Max can place their orders today.
Leaked Benchmarks and Expert Opinions
Leaked benchmarks have confirmed that the M3 Ultra is currently the world’s fastest production CPU. However, Vadim Yuryev, a tech expert, notes that the scores might be lower due to the older M3 core technology and diminishing returns with more cores in Geekbench 6.
“Scores are a bit low because of old M3 core tech and diminishing returns with more cores, thanks to how the multi-core update works with Geekbench 6.” – Vadim Yuryev (@VadimYuryev) March 7, 2025
Exploring Related Performance Metrics
For those interested in GPU performance, check out our in-depth analysis of the [/iphone-16e-benchmark-gpu-performance-drop] and [/nvidia-gpus-physx-performance-impact].
Conclusion and Further Discussion
The M3 Ultra and M4 Max chips in the new Mac Studio offer surprisingly close CPU performance, challenging Apple’s claims of significant differences. As we continue to explore the capabilities of these chips, we encourage our readers to join the discussion and share their thoughts on which chip best suits their needs.
Stay tuned for more updates and in-depth analyses from 9to5mac.com, your go-to source for the latest in Apple technology and beyond.
