CPU Comparison
Apple M1 Pro vs Apple M3 Pro
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. Apple M1 Pro is a 5nm ARM-based SoC with 8 performance and 2 efficiency CPU cores, up to a 16-core GPU, a 16-core Neural Engine, and up to 32GB unified memory with 200GB/s bandwidth, designed for pro laptops.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Gaming
Virtualization
Efficiency
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- 16-core Neural Engine accelerates on-device ML tasks in apps and frameworks.
- Apple advertises 11 TOPS INT8 for M1-series Neural Engines.
- CPU and GPU also contribute to ML workloads via optimized libraries.
- 16-core Neural Engine up to ~18 TOPS
- Good for on-device inference and Core ML workloads
- Not designed for training large models; GPU-focused workloads may favor M3 Max
Content Creation
Gaming
- Integrated GPU provides playable performance in many games but is not comparable to midrange dedicated GPUs.
- Limited macOS game catalog impacts practical gaming utility.
- Apple Silicon adoption improves performance in supported titles over time.
- Hardware ray tracing improves lighting and reflections in supported titles
- Strong 1080p and 1440p performance with Metal-optimized games
- Some GPU benchmarks show regressions vs M2 Pro due to fewer cores and lower bandwidth
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Strong multi-core CPU and GPU performance in a power-efficient design.
- Excellent battery life for a pro laptop.
- Up to 32GB unified memory with high bandwidth.
- Integrated media engines with ProRes accelerators for video workflows.
- Thunderbolt 4/USB4 built into the SoC.
Cons
- RAM is not upgradable; unified memory is fixed at purchase.
- Gaming performance lags behind midrange dedicated GPUs.
- No official socket or user-configurable PCIe lanes.
- Apple does not publish TDP or official clock specifications.
- macOS-only for direct use; no boot-to-Windows support on Apple Silicon.
Pros
- Strong single-core performance and responsive day-to-day feel
- Excellent efficiency and battery life under pro workloads
- Hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading on Mac for the first time
- Unified memory architecture simplifies development and memory management
- Very quiet and cool operation in typical MacBook Pro configs
Cons
- 25% lower memory bandwidth than M1/M2 Pro (150 vs 200 GB/s)
- Some M3 Pro variants have fewer GPU cores than equivalent M2 Pro models
- Modest multi-core CPU gains over M2 Pro in many benchmarks
- No user-upgradable RAM or internal PCIe slots; fully soldered SoC
- Platform is now discontinued in favor of M4 Pro
Competitors & Alternatives
Apple M1 Pro
- Intel Core i7-11800HRival
High-performance laptop
- Intel Core i7-12700HRival
High-performance laptop
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900HXRival
High-performance laptop
- AMD Ryzen 9 6900HXRival
High-performance laptop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i9-11980HKRival
Enthusiast laptop
- Alt
Newer generation with higher performance and improved efficiency in the same MacBook Pro form factors.
Compare head-to-head - Alt
More GPU cores and memory bandwidth for GPU-heavy workloads.
Compare head-to-head - Intel Core i7-13700HAlt
x86 compatibility for Windows-centric workflows.
- AMD Ryzen 9 7940HSAlt
Strong x86 efficiency and integrated graphics for Windows laptops.
- Alt
Newer architecture with updated CPU and GPU for non-Pro users.
Compare head-to-head
Apple M3 Pro
- Intel Core Ultra 7 155HRival
Pro mobile / x86
- AMD Ryzen 7 7840HSRival
Pro mobile / x86
- AMD Ryzen 7 7840URival
Thin-and-light mobile / x86
- Compare head-to-headApple M2 ProRival
Pro mobile / Apple silicon
- Compare head-to-headApple M3Rival
Mainstream mobile / Apple silicon
- Apple M2 Pro MacBook ProAlt
Better GPU core count and memory bandwidth if you don’t need ray tracing or the latest efficiency.
- Apple M3 MacBook ProAlt
Cheaper entry point if you don’t need the extra CPU/GPU headroom of the Pro chip.
- Intel Core Ultra 7 155H laptopAlt
Better if you need x86 Windows compatibility or more PCIe lanes for external GPUs.
- AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS mini PCAlt
More flexible if you want a small-form-factor Windows/Linux box with strong iGPU performance.
- Apple M3 Max MacBook ProAlt
Worth considering if you need significantly more GPU performance, memory bandwidth, or up to 128 GB unified memory.
Our Verdict on Each
M1 Pro delivers outstanding performance per watt and strong multi-core throughput for pro workloads, with highly efficient operation and excellent battery life, making it a compelling choice for creators who do not need x86.
Best for: Creator or developer needing sustained performance and battery life in a MacBook Pro (14 or 16, 2021) who can work within macOS.
Read the full reviewM3 Pro is an excellent, efficient chip for most pro workloads, especially if you’re upgrading from Intel or M1, but the step sideways in GPU cores and memory bandwidth versus M2 Pro makes the upgrade from M2 Pro less compelling for some users.
Best for: Upgrading from Intel or M1 MacBook Pro to a modern, efficient Pro laptop for coding, creative work, and general pro use.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Apple M1 Pro or Apple M3 Pro?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Apple M1 Pro comes out ahead with a score of 9/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Apple M1 Pro or Apple M3 Pro?
For gaming, the Apple M3 Pro leads with a gaming performance score of 82/100 among Apple M1 Pro and Apple M3 Pro.
Which has more cores?
The Apple M3 Pro has the most cores. Core counts: Apple M1 Pro (10 cores), Apple M3 Pro (12 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Apple M3 Pro posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Apple M3 Pro (14,500). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.