All three models feature significant improvements in both CPU and GPU, providing higher performance in various usage scenarios. It is interesting that the MacBook Pro gets variations on all chips, but in the iMac only with the basic one.

Detailed specifications of M3 base

• The base M3 packs an octa-core CPU with four performance cores and four power-saving cores.
• Apple claims that it is 35% faster than the M1 in terms of processor performance.
• We don’t know exactly how the M3 compares to the M2, but when Apple announced the M2 last year, it said it had 18% more processor performance than the M1.
• The M3 also features a 10-core GPU with next-generation architecture that is claimed to be 65% faster than the M1 in graphics performance. This will provide significant changes in the operation of professional applications and gaming performance.
• Supports M3 Up to 24 gigabytes of RAM and an external display (in addition to the built-in iMac and MacBook).

Detailed features of M3 Pro

• The M3 Pro features an improved 12-core processor with six performance cores and six efficiency cores, as well as an 18-core GPU that is 40% faster than the M1 Pro.
• Apple claims 30% more processor performance than the M1 Pro for single-threaded tasks, again avoiding direct comparisons with the M2.
• Supports M3 Pro Up to 36 gigabytes of RAM.

Schematics of three processor models in 2023 / Photo: Apple

Detailed specifications of M3 Max

• The M3 Max has a 16-core GPU with 12 performance cores and four efficiency cores, as well as a 40-core GPU that is claimed to be 50 percent faster than the M1 Max.
• Supports M3 Maximum Up to 128 gigabytes of RAM.
• Apple claims that GPU performance on the M3 Max is 80 percent higher than on the M1 Max. This seems like a big improvement, especially considering Apple said earlier this year that the M2 Max was 30 percent faster than the M1 Max in terms of graphics.

Key features of new processors / Apple’s photo

There is a strong focus on GPU developments and next-generation architectures for graphics and professional applications. M3 chips include: Hardware acceleration of ray tracing and mesh shading — Both features are a first for Apple Silicon. We’re used to seeing full hardware support for ray tracing on the latest Nvidia and AMD GPUs, but the feature’s presence on Apple’s M3 chips means game developers will be able to enable advanced shadows and reflections typically only found on the latest consoles. gaming PCs and Windows-based laptops. Hardware-accelerated mesh shading gives developers more options to enhance complex scenes in games and even GPU-intensive applications.

Apple also introduces another new feature dynamic caching function Dynamic Caching In M3 chips that will dynamically allocate the exact amount of memory required for each task using the graphics processor. Apple says this is an industry first, and because it’s an automated process, developers won’t need to rebuild their apps to accommodate the feature. This will improve the performance of professional applications and games by improving average GPU utilization.

Artificial intelligence and other benefits

• Apple’s new M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max also feature an advanced neural engine to accelerate machine learning models (the company still avoids using the word “artificial intelligence”).
• In addition, Apple is introducing an AV1 decoder with the M3 family of chips for the first time, so owners will be able to benefit from more energy-efficient playback of AV1 content.
• Speaking of power efficiency, Apple is switching to a 3nm process with the M3 family, just like the A17 Pro on the iPhone 15 Pro. Therefore, we expect some improvements in energy efficiency. Apple promises the same multi-threaded performance in the M3 as in the M1, with half the power consumption. For example, the new MacBook Pro will have up to 22 hours of battery life if Apple’s claims are true; This is the longest battery life in Mac history.