Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core
32C CPU · 80C GPU · PassMark #109
Apple M4 Max
16C CPU · 40C GPU · 16-core Neural Engine
Apple M4 Max takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core lands at 41 and Apple M4 Max at 97. That puts Apple M4 Max ahead by 56 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core if…
- ✓PassMark #109 of 5,901 — capable workhorse
- ✓Best-in-class perf-per-watt on macOS
Pick Apple M4 Max if…
- ✓Industry-best perf-per-watt
- ✓128 GB unified memory option
- ✓Hardware ray-tracing
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testValue for money
Apple M4 MaxSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Apple M4 Max more score per dollar ($1,299 vs $3,999).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core | Apple M4 Max |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | ▲ 32 (24P + 8E) | 16 (12P+4E) |
| GPU cores | 80 (top config) / 60 (base) | — |
| Neural Engine | 32-core | — |
| Memory bandwidth | 409.6 GB/s | ▲ 546 GB/s |
| Unified memory | Up to 512 GB LPDDR5-6400 | — |
| Process | 3 nm (TSMC N3B) | TSMC N3E |
| Transistors | 184 billion | — |
| Class | Desktop (Mac Studio) | — |
| PassMark rank | #109 of 5,901 | — |
| PassMark CPU Mark | 72,912 | — |
| Threads | — | 16 |
| Neural engine | — | 16-core, 38 TOPS |
| Max memory | — | 128 GB unified |
Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core
- +PassMark #109 of 5,901 — capable workhorse
- +Best-in-class perf-per-watt on macOS
- −Only available inside Apple devices — no DIY upgrade path
Apple M4 Max
- +Industry-best perf-per-watt
- +128 GB unified memory option
- +Hardware ray-tracing
- −Apple ecosystem lock-in
- −Not user-replaceable
- −Limited Windows gaming
FAQ: Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core vs Apple M4 Max
Which is better, Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core or Apple M4 Max? +
Apple M4 Max scores 97 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 56. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core worth the price? +
At $3,999, Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core delivers a Specdex score of 41 — strongest in passmark.
Is Apple M4 Max worth the price? +
At $1,299, Apple M4 Max delivers a Specdex score of 97 — strongest in efficiency.
Does Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core or Apple M4 Max last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is the better value, Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core or Apple M4 Max? +
Apple M4 Max — more score per dollar ($1,299 vs $3,999). Specdex score per dollar at MSRP.