Apple recently launched its new Mac Studio, featuring both the groundbreaking M4 Max and the all-new M3 Ultra chips, setting a high bar for performance in the world of Apple Silicon.
The M3 Ultra, exclusive to the 2025 Mac Studio, is being touted as Apple’s most powerful chip ever, promising a blend of exceptional CPU and GPU performance for professionals who demand the very best. Early Geekbench 6 benchmarks have started to shed light on its capabilities, with one listing showing a 32-core CPU configuration—comprising 24 performance cores and eight efficiency cores—scoring 3,221 on single-core tests and 27,749 on multi-core tests.
These initial numbers suggest that while the M3 Ultra offers an 8% advantage in multi‑core performance over the M4 Max, its single‑core performance is notably lower, with the M4 Max posting scores in the 3,880–3,930 range. Compared to its predecessor, the M2 Ultra, the M3 Ultra brings approximately 13–16% gains in single‑core tasks and up to 30% improvements in multi‑core workloads
The true strength of the M3 Ultra lies in its graphics prowess. Equipped with a massive 80‑core GPU, the chip delivers a Metal score of 259,668 in early tests, marking a 16% increase over the M2 Ultra’s 222,582 score and roughly a 38% improvement when compared to the M4 Max’s performance in the 16‑inch MacBook Pro. This significant boost in GPU performance positions the M3 Ultra as the ideal choice for graphics‑intensive applications, ranging from 3D rendering and visual effects to AI-driven workloads, where the extra horsepower can translate into real-world productivity gains.
Central to these performance improvements is Apple’s innovative UltraFusion packaging architecture, which interlinks two M3 Max dies via 10,000 high‑speed connections to ensure low latency and high bandwidth. Built on TSMC’s first‑generation 3nm process, the M3 Ultra may not match the efficiency of the M4 series’ second‑generation design in every metric, but it demonstrates a clear commitment to pushing the boundaries of what Apple Silicon can achieve. Beyond processing power, the new Mac Studio also breaks new ground by offering up to 512GB of unified memory—a first for an Apple Silicon Mac—eliminating previous limitations for demanding professional workflows.
Despite the impressive numbers, the pricing strategy prompts a closer look at value for money. The M3 Ultra configuration starts at $3,999, significantly higher than the $1,999 entry‑level pricing for the M4 Max. While the M3 Ultra’s benefits in GPU performance and multi‑core processing are evident, users whose workflows rely more on single‑core performance may find that the M4 Max provides ample power for everyday tasks at a more accessible price point.
For professionals tackling resource‑intensive projects—from developing large language models and coding sophisticated software to rendering detailed visual effects—the enhanced capabilities of the M3 Ultra can offer noticeable improvements in productivity. Early benchmarks indicate that its multi‑core and GPU gains could translate into faster rendering times and smoother performance in applications that are optimized for parallel processing, even as its single‑core performance lags slightly behind the M4 Max.
(via MacRumors)
