CPU Comparison
Apple M1 Ultra vs Apple M3 Max
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Apple M1 Ultra is the most powerful chip in Apple's first-generation Apple Silicon lineup, engineered by fusing two M1 Max dies through the proprietary UltraFusion interconnect. With 20 CPU cores, up to 64 GPU cores, a 32-core Neural Engine, and up to 128GB of unified LPDDR5 memory delivering 800 GB/s bandwidth, it targets the most demanding professional workflows in a compact desktop form factor.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Gaming
Virtualization
Efficiency
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- 32-core Neural Engine accelerates on-device machine learning inference at up to 22 trillion operations per second
- 800 GB/s memory bandwidth benefits large language model inference
- 128GB unified memory enables loading large AI models that exceed typical GPU VRAM
- No dedicated tensor cores in the traditional NVIDIA CUDA sense
- Apple Core ML and Metal Performance Shaders provide software-level acceleration
- 16-core Neural Engine accelerates on-device ML inference and AI features across pro apps.
- Large unified memory allows running bigger transformer models locally.
- ML frameworks in macOS can leverage GPU, NE, and CPU cores depending on implementation.
Content Creation
Gaming
- 64-core GPU handles most macOS-native titles comfortably at 1440p
- Limited game library on macOS compared to Windows
- Rosetta 2 translation layer adds minor overhead for x86 games
- No support for external GPUs via Thunderbolt
- AAA titles running through CrossOver or Parallels may have reduced performance
- Apple silicon gaming performance depends heavily on macOS optimizations and title support.
- M3 Max's GPU with ray tracing improves visuals for supported games, but AAA catalog lags Windows.
- High-resolution Retina displays increase GPU load compared to 1080p laptops.
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Outstanding multi-threaded CPU performance with 20 cores
- Massive 800 GB/s unified memory bandwidth
- Up to 128GB unified memory accessible by CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine
- Extremely power-efficient compared to x86 workstations
- Dual ProRes encode and decode engines for video professionals
- 32-core Neural Engine for hardware-accelerated machine learning
- Quiet operation even under sustained heavy workloads
- Seamless multi-die operation transparent to software
Cons
- Only available in Mac Studio, no standalone or DIY option
- No support for external GPUs
- macOS has a limited game library compared to Windows
- Memory and storage are not user-upgradeable
- No hardware-accelerated ray tracing (introduced with M3 family)
- Discontinued and superseded by M2 Ultra
- No traditional PCIe expansion slots
- HDMI 2.0 instead of HDMI 2.1 limits external display options
Pros
- Up to 16 performance-focused CPU cores for demanding multi-threaded workflows
- Up to 40-core GPU with ray tracing and mesh shading
- Massive unified memory capacity up to 128GB
- High memory bandwidth (300–400GB/s) feeds both CPU and GPU
- Efficient 3nm process balances performance and battery life
- Hardware-accelerated ProRes encode/decode with dual engines
- AV1 decode for efficient high-resolution streaming
- Strong multi-display support (up to four external displays)
- 16-core Neural Engine for on-device ML/AI acceleration
- Highly integrated SoC reduces latency and power use versus discrete CPU+GPU
Cons
- No official TDP or detailed thermal/power specifications from Apple
- Gaming ecosystem and optimization lag behind Windows x86 platforms
- RAM and storage are not user-upgradable after purchase
- Limited to macOS ecosystem; cannot boot Windows natively on Apple silicon
- No PCIe version or lane count disclosures from Apple
- Discontinued as of late 2024, though still available in some channels
Competitors & Alternatives
Apple M1 Ultra
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950XRival
High-End Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i9-12900KRival
High-End Desktop
- AMD Threadripper PRO 5975WXRival
Workstation
- Intel Xeon W-3375XRival
Workstation
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950XRival
Creator Desktop
Direct successor with improved CPU and GPU performance, higher efficiency, and support for newer technologies.
Compare head-to-head- Alt
Half the cores at a significantly lower price point, still excellent for most professional creative workloads.
Compare head-to-head - Alt
Newer architecture with hardware-accelerated ray tracing, dynamic caching, and better per-core performance.
Compare head-to-head - Custom PC with AMD Ryzen 9 7950X and RTX 4080Alt
Windows compatibility, upgradeability, better gaming performance, and access to NVIDIA CUDA ecosystem.
- Mac Pro with M2 UltraAlt
Same chip class but in a tower with PCIe expansion slots for specialized add-in cards.
Apple M3 Max
- Compare head-to-headApple M2 MaxRival
Creator SoC
- Apple M4 MaxRival
Creator SoC
- AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375Rival
High-end Laptop
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185HRival
High-end Laptop
- NVIDIA RTX 4090 LaptopRival
Gaming/Creator GPU
Desktop-class SoC with more CPU/GPU cores in Mac Studio for workloads tolerant of older generation.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370Alt
Windows-based alternative with strong CPU efficiency and x86 software compatibility.
- Intel Core Ultra 9Alt
Windows alternative with strong multi-thread performance and broader I/O options.
- Custom desktop (Ryzen 9 + RTX 4080/4090)Alt
Offers upgradability, PCIe expansion, and higher peak GPU performance for some workloads.
Our Verdict on Each
An extraordinarily powerful workstation-class system-on-chip that delivers exceptional multi-threaded and GPU performance with remarkable power efficiency, though its locked ecosystem and discontinued status make the newer M2 Ultra or M3 Ultra worth considering.
Best for: Professional content creators and workstation users who need massive multi-threaded performance and unified memory within the Apple ecosystem, particularly on the refurbished market.
Read the full reviewM3 Max pairs exceptional multi-core performance with massive memory capacity and an efficient 3nm design, making it a top choice for pro creators and developers who need workstation-level capability in a MacBook Pro.
Best for: Used or open-box MacBook Pro with M3 Max for creators and developers needing high RAM capacity and multi-core performance at a lower price than M4 Max.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Apple M1 Ultra or Apple M3 Max?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Apple M3 Max 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 Ultra or Apple M3 Max?
For gaming, the Apple M1 Ultra leads with a gaming performance score of 72/100 among Apple M1 Ultra and Apple M3 Max.
Do Apple M1 Ultra and Apple M3 Max use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Apple M1 Ultra: BGA (Soldered), Apple M3 Max: BGA (on-board)), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Apple M1 Ultra has the most cores. Core counts: Apple M1 Ultra (20 cores), Apple M3 Max (16 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Apple M1 Ultra posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Apple M1 Ultra (17,500). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.