Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core
32C CPU · 80C GPU · PassMark #109
Apple M5 Pro
14C CPU · 20C GPU · 300 GB/s
Apple M5 Pro takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core lands at 41 and Apple M5 Pro at 96. That puts Apple M5 Pro ahead by 55 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 M5 Pro if…
- ✓Creator-tier silicon in a laptop
- ✓Improved memory bandwidth over M4 Pro
- ✓Excellent media engines
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testValue for money
Apple M5 ProSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Apple M5 Pro more score per dollar ($2,199 vs $3,999).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core | Apple M5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | ▲ 32 (24P + 8E) | 14 (10P+4E) |
| GPU cores | ▲ 80 (top config) / 60 (base) | 20 |
| Neural Engine | 32-core | — |
| Memory bandwidth | ▲ 409.6 GB/s | 300 GB/s |
| Unified memory | Up to 512 GB LPDDR5-6400 | — |
| Process | 3 nm (TSMC N3B) | — |
| Transistors | 184 billion | — |
| Class | Desktop (Mac Studio) | — |
| PassMark rank | #109 of 5,901 | — |
| PassMark CPU Mark | 72,912 | — |
| Neural engine | — | 16-core, 55 TOPS |
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 M5 Pro
- +Creator-tier silicon in a laptop
- +Improved memory bandwidth over M4 Pro
- +Excellent media engines
- −Only in MacBook Pro / Mac mini
- −Premium pricing
- −Windows ARM gap persists
FAQ: Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core vs Apple M5 Pro
Which is better, Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core or Apple M5 Pro? +
Apple M5 Pro scores 96 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 55. 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 M5 Pro worth the price? +
At $2,199, Apple M5 Pro delivers a Specdex score of 96 — strongest in single.
Does Apple M3 Ultra 32 Core or Apple M5 Pro 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 M5 Pro? +
Apple M5 Pro — more score per dollar ($2,199 vs $3,999). Specdex score per dollar at MSRP.