Apple M3 is a series of ARM-based system on a chip (SoC) designed by Apple Inc. as a central processing unit (CPU) and graphics processing unit (GPU) for its Mac desktops and notebooks. It is the third generation of ARM architecture intended for Apple's Mac computers after switching from Intel Core to Apple silicon, succeeding the Apple M2. Apple announced the M3 on October 30, 2023, at its Halloween-themed Scary Fast online event, along with models of the iMac and the MacBook Pro using the M3.
Design
The M3 series is Apple's first 3nm design for desktops and notebooks. It is built using the N3E process from TSMC.
CPU
M3: 8‑core CPU with 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores
M3 Pro: 11‑ or 12‑core CPU with 5 or 6 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores
M3 Max: 14‑ or 16‑core CPU with 10 or 12 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores
GPU
The redesigned GPU includes features like Dynamic Caching, Mesh Shading, and hardware-accelerated ray tracing.
The Dynamic Caching technology allocates local memory in real time. Unlike conventional approaches, Dynamic Caching ensures that only the precise amount of memory required for a task is used, thereby optimizing memory usage and potentially enhancing performance and efficiency. This is particularly beneficial for graphics-intensive tasks, where dynamic memory allocation can be critical.
Memory
The M3's Unified Memory Architecture features up to 24 GB RAM, the M3 Pro up to 36 GB, and the M3 Max up to 128 GB. As with prior M series SoCs, this serves as both RAM and video RAM. The M3 Pro and 14-core M3 Max have lower memory bandwidth than the M1/M2 Pro and M1/M2 Max respectively. The M3 Pro has 150 GB/sec bandwidth versus 200 GB/sec for the M1 and M2 Pro. The 14-core M3 Max has 300 GB/sec vs. the 400 GB/sec for all models of the M1 and M2 Max, while the 16-core M3 Max has the same 400 GB/sec as the prior M1 and M2 Max models.
Other features
Video
The M3 series supports hardware AV1 decoding.
AI
Apple specifically targeted AI development and workloads, both with the Neural Engine and with the increased maximum memory (128 GB) of the M3 Max, allowing AI models with high numbers of parameters.
Products that use the Apple M3 series
M3
MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2023) iMac (24-inch, M3, 2023)
M3 Pro
MacBook Pro (14-inch and 16-inch, 2023)
M3 Max
MacBook Pro (14-inch and 16-inch, 2023)
Variants
The table below shows the various SoCs.