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

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.

M3 Max Chip
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.

M3 Max Specs
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.

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Caution)
Related Forum: MacBook Pro

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Top Rated Comments

Mr. Dee Avatar
22 months ago
This makes me want to buy one even though have absolutely no use for it except for commenting on Macrumors.
Score: 176 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Joe Rossignol Avatar
22 months ago

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."
Score: 63 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Return Zero Avatar
22 months ago
Wow. Just step back and ponder how crazy it is to be able to buy a laptop with almost 100 billion transistors that also gets 22-hour battery life and is two-thirds of an inch thin and weighs under 5 pounds. The continual scaling and shrinking of technology is amazing to watch.
Score: 43 Votes (Like | Disagree)
StoneJack Avatar
22 months ago
This is astonishig progress from m1 days wow
Score: 40 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TFK. Avatar
22 months ago
I feel dated with my M1 Max
Score: 36 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Joe Rossignol Avatar
22 months ago

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.
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)