Apple’s latest M3 Pro chip, featured in the newly announced 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, has recently been subject to benchmark testing. According to the Geekbench 6 result, the M3 Pro chip offers only modest improvements in CPU performance compared to its predecessor, the M2 Pro chip. However, it is important to note that this conclusion is based on just one benchmark result, and further tests are necessary to confirm its accuracy.
The benchmark result indicates that the M3 Pro chip boasts up to a 14% increase in single-core performance and up to 6% faster multi-core performance compared to the M2 Pro. While these enhancements appear promising, it is crucial to consider that the M3 Pro chip possesses fewer high-performance cores, less memory bandwidth, and one fewer GPU core than the M2 Pro. Consequently, these limitations result in diminished performance gains.
It is important to differentiate between the M3 Pro and M3 Max chips. Unlike the M3 Pro chip, which has a limited number of high-performance cores, the M3 Max chip offers up to 12 high-performance cores. Earlier benchmark results using Geekbench 6 showcased that the M3 Max chip is an extraordinary 45% faster than its predecessor, the M2 Max chip. Additionally, the standard M3 chip demonstrated up to a 20% increase in performance when compared to the standard M2 chip.
Nevertheless, the M3 Pro chip still serves as a significant upgrade, particularly for individuals transitioning from an Intel-based Mac. Furthermore, it surpasses the M1 Pro chip by up to 20% in terms of speed. However, it is essential to remember that real-world performance may differ from benchmark results.
For those interested, the new MacBook Pro models are currently available for ordering, with M3 and M3 Pro configurations set to arrive on November 7. However, M3 Max configurations will be launching later in November. Keep in mind that these dates are subject to change.
In conclusion, while the recent benchmark testing indicates only modest improvements in CPU performance for the M3 Pro chip compared to its predecessor, it is important to wait for further results to ensure accuracy. Nonetheless, the new MacBook Pro models, equipped with the M3 Pro chip, offer a notable upgrade for users migrating from Intel-based Macs and perform up to 20% faster than devices with the M1 Pro chip.
