M3 Ultra: Apple's graphics monster in the performance check Apfelpatient

Apple has introduced its most powerful chip to date, the M3 Ultra. The new high-end CPU with an 80-core GPU is said to significantly surpass the previous performance of the M2 Ultra. Initial benchmark results provide a more detailed insight into the actual performance. The comparison with the M4 Max, which is used in the current 16-inch MacBook Pro, is particularly exciting.

Benchmark results provide an initial orientation, but are not always an exact reflection of performance in practice. Nevertheless, they give a good indication of the progress a new chip actually brings. Apple advertises the M3 Ultra as the "most powerful chip the company has ever developed". Expectations are high, especially because the predecessor M2 Ultra already delivered strong results. The first evaluation of the Geekbench 6 database now provides information on whether the new chip can keep these promises.

Benchmark results: The graphics performance of the M3 Ultra in comparison

The M3 Ultra can be configured with an 80-core GPU and achieved Geekbench 6 test a Metal Score of 259,668. For comparison:

The M2 Ultra with 76-core GPU achieved a Metal Score of 222,582
This corresponds to a performance increase of about 16 %
The M4 Max with 40-core GPU averages 187,460 points, which is up to 38% slower than the M3 Ultra

This means that the M3 Ultra delivers the highest graphics performance that Apple has ever achieved with its own chip. However, there are also benchmarks that show a Metal Score of only 195,000 points for the M3 Ultra. These values seem to be inconsistent, as they do not match the expected increase. The final tests will show where the new chip actually ranks.

CPU performance: M3 Ultra vs. M4 Max and M2 Ultra

In addition to graphics performance, the processor performance an important role. Here you can see that the M3 Ultra achieves a multi-core CPU score of 27,749. This means:

8 % faster than the 16-core M4 Max, which was previously considered the most powerful Apple chip
30 % faster than the M2 Ultra with 24 cores

The increase compared to the M2 Ultra is roughly in line with expectations. However, Cupertino said in the product announcement that the M3 Ultra should be up to 1.5 times faster than its predecessor. An interesting point is the single-core performance. Here the M3 Ultra is inferior to the M4 Max. The M4 Max can achieve up to 20% higher scores thanks to the more advanced second-generation TSMC 3nm process. The M3 Ultra is still based on the first generation 3nm process, which may lead to the slightly lower results.

What do these results mean in practice?

The benchmark values show that the M3 Ultra has massive GPU performance and is clearly superior for graphics-intensive applications. This is particularly relevant for 3D modeling, rendering and high-end video editing. In terms of CPU performance, however, the difference to the M4 Max is smaller than expected. If you are looking for pure processor performance, an M4 Max could also be a good choice, depending on the application, especially because it is stronger in the single-core area. Thermal limits and software optimization also influence real-world use. Benchmarks are an important indication, but actual performance can vary depending on the application.

Availability and price of the new Mac Studio with M3 Ultra

The Mac Studio with M3 Ultra can now be pre-ordered from the Apple Online Store. Sales are scheduled to start on March 12. Prices in Germany start at 4,999 euros for the M3 Ultra configuration. Those who prefer the Mac Studio with M4 Max can get it starting at 2,499 euros.

Apple sets new standards with the M3 Ultra – at least in graphics performance

The M3 Ultra has shown itself to be the most powerful Apple chip in the graphics area in initial benchmarks. With GPU performance that is up to 38% better than the M4 Max, it sets new standards. In terms of CPU performance, however, the advantage over the M4 Max is only 8%, while the M4 Max is even faster in single-core performance. This shows that the manufacturing process and architecture have an influence on the results. Further tests will show whether the actual performance meets expectations. It will be particularly interesting to see whether new benchmarks deliver even higher values for the M3 Ultra. At the moment, however, it is definitely the most powerful chip for Mac users who need maximum graphics and computing power. (Image: Apple)