M3 Ultra vs. M4 Max: Benchmarks Reveal Surprising Performance Differences in New Mac Studio

M3 Ultra vs. M4 Max: Which Chip Reigns Supreme?

Apple's recent announcement of the new Mac Studio, featuring both the M4 Max and the M3 Ultra chips, has sparked considerable discussion and some confusion regarding their performance differences. While the names suggest a clear hierarchy, early benchmarks reveal a more nuanced picture, particularly in CPU performance.

The Benchmark Battle: M3 Ultra vs. M4 Max

Early benchmarks, notably a Geekbench 6 test shared by Vadim Yuryev, indicate that the M3 Ultra Mac Studio achieved impressive scores of 3221 in single-core and 27749 in multi-core performance. Yuryev hailed it as the "world's fastest production CPU." However, the M4 Max is not far behind, with benchmarks showing 3921 in single-core and 25647 in multi-core performance. This suggests that the individual cores of the M4 Max are actually faster, with the M3 Ultra only holding an 8% lead in multi-core performance.

M3 Ultra geekbench benchmarks.

CPU benchmarks for the M3 Ultra. Geekbench

M4 Max CPU geekbench leak.

CPU benchmarks for the M4 Max. Geekbench

Apple's Claims vs. Benchmark Reality

Apple's own claims suggest that the M3 Ultra delivers nearly double the performance of the M4 Max in workloads that heavily utilize high CPU and GPU core counts. However, these initial benchmarks do not fully support this assertion. It's important to note that as more users test the M3 Ultra, these results may evolve.

Architectural Differences and Future Performance

The M4 Max's superior single-core performance is attributed to its second-generation 3-nanometer architecture, which offers greater efficiency compared to the M3 chips' first-generation technology. Furthermore, the GPU performance is expected to be a significant differentiator. The M4 Max supports up to a 40-core GPU, while the M3 Ultra can be configured with up to 80 cores. This substantial difference in GPU core count is likely to widen the performance gap in graphics-intensive tasks.

Implications for Consumers

For users who do not engage in GPU-heavy workloads, the current CPU benchmarks suggest that opting for the M4 Max configuration in the new Mac Studio might be a viable choice without a significant compromise in CPU performance. This could offer a more cost-effective solution for many users.

The Missing M4 Ultra?

While many anticipated the M4 Ultra chip to be featured in the new Mac Studio, its absence has led to speculation. Some sources suggest that an M4 Ultra might be reserved for the upcoming Mac Pro, rumored for release in the latter half of the year. This strategic chip placement could be aimed at differentiating Apple's high-end product lines.

Author Spotlight: Willow Roberts

Willow Roberts, a Computing Writer at Digital Trends, brings a decade of writing experience to her coverage of technology. Her expertise includes in-depth analysis of computing hardware and trends.

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