The M3 Pro and M2 Pro are two of the most powerful chips on the market today. They are both used in Apple’s MacBook Pro lineup, and they offer excellent performance for a variety of tasks. But which chip is right for you?
In this blog post, we will take a comprehensive look at the M3 Pro and M2 Pro chips. We will compare their specs, performance, and features. We will also discuss which chip is the right choice for you, depending on your needs and budget.
Specs comparison
The M3 Pro is the successor of Apple’s M2 Pro chip and is expected to offer a significant performance boost over its predecessor. Here is how the two chips are different:
| Feature | M3 Pro | M2 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Up to 12 cores (6 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores) |
Up to 10 core (4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores) |
| GPU | Up to 18 cores | Up to 16 core |
| Unified memory | Up to 36GB | Up to 32GB |
| Storage | Up to 4TB | Up to 8TB |
| Neural engine | 16-core | 16-core |
| Memory bandwidth | 150GB/s | 100GB/s |
| Hardware-accelerated ray tracing | Yes | Nil |
| AV1 decode (Media Engine) | Yes | Nil |
Performance comparison
Geekbench benchmark scores
Here are the Geekbench scores:
M3 Pro scores:
- Single-core: 3,168
- Multi-core: 15,655
M2 Pro scores:
- Single-core: 2,640
- Multi-core: 12,105
The M3 Pro has a 12-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 8 efficiency cores. The M2 Pro also has a 10-core CPU with 2 performance cores and 8 efficiency cores. However, the M3 Pro’s CPU cores are next-generation, and they are expected to be up to 20% faster than the M2 Pro’s CPU cores.
The M3 Pro has a 16-core GPU. The M2 Pro also has a 16-core GPU. However, the M3 Pro’s GPU cores are also next-generation, and they are expected to be up to 30% faster than the M2 Pro’s GPU cores.
Unified memory
Both the M3 Pro and M2 Pro support up to 64GB of unified memory. Unified memory is a type of memory that can be used by both the CPU and GPU. This means that unified memory can improve performance for a variety of tasks, including gaming, video editing, and machine learning.
The M3 Pro’s unified memory is faster than the M2 Pro’s unified memory. This means that the M3 Pro will be able to access data more quickly, which can improve performance for a variety of tasks.
Battery life
The M3 Pro has a longer battery life than the M2 Pro because the M3 Pro is more efficient. The longer battery life of the M3 Pro means that you can use your MacBook Pro for longer without having to worry about running out of power.
Available devices and prices
Both chips are available in the following Mac models:
| Chip | Model | Starting price |
| M3 Pro | 14-inch MacBook Pro | $1,999 |
| 16-inch MacBook Pro | $2,499 | |
| M2 Pro | 14-inch MacBook Pro | $1,999 |
| 16-inch MacBook Pro | $2,499 | |
| Mac Mini | $599 |
You should buy M3 Pro Mac, if:
The M3 Pro is a powerful and efficient chip. Built on an advanced 3nm process, the chip delivers up to 15% faster performance and up to 30% faster efficiency than its predecessor M2 Pro chip.
Furthermore, it features next-generation GPU with hardware-accelerated ray tracing, Dynamic Caching, and Mesh Shading technology which “significantly increases” performance for demanding pro apps and games.
You should buy the new M3 Pro MacBook Pro if you are professional and need the extra speed and efficiency for editing, rendering, and other workflows. It also delivers an improved gaming experience with realistic images, immersive environments, and power efficiency.
You should buy M2 Pro Mac, if:
Although the M2 Pro is not as fast as the M3 Pro chip, it is a capable processor nonetheless. It delivers up to 20% faster rendering speeds and up to 40% faster image processing in Adobe Photoshop and up to 25% faster compilation speeds in Xcode than M1 Pro MacBook Pro models.
Since Apple has discontinued the M2 Pro MacBook Pro models, you can grab one for a discounted price from a third-party retailer like Amazon, Best Buy, or others.
Therefore, you should opt for the M2 Pro MacBook Pro if you are looking for a machine that delivers professional-level performance and is also available for a more pocket-friendly price. M2 Pro is also available in Mac Mini for $599.
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