The Apple M3 chip, alongside its counterparts, the Apple M3 Pro and Apple M3 Max, has been officially unveiled, marking a significant leap in Apple’s processor technology. This unexpected announcement came during the Apple Scary Fast event in late October, defying earlier rumours that suggested a release no earlier than 2024.
Unlike Apple’s previous approach of staggering chip releases, this time, we have three major processors simultaneously. With impressive specifications, these chips undoubtedly represent the pinnacle of Apple’s processor advancements. So, let’s take a deep dive into the newest Apple M3 chip and find out everything it has to offer.
Apple M3 Release Date
The Apple M3 chip has spurred pre-orders for the new iMac M3 and Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch featuring this processor. The pre-orders commenced immediately after the announcement on October 30, 2023, and are open in 27 countries initially, with more to follow. You can surely order the new iMac and MacBook Pro 14-inch that are launched with the Apple M3 chip as they have already been launched on 7th November. And, customers can buy them through either Apple Stores or various platforms like Best Buy and Amazon.
Apple M3 Chip Price
The Apple M3 chip will come combined with the newest iMac M3 which is available for £1,150 and the 14-inch MacBook Pro which will start at around £1,330. It is still not out whether the MacBook Air or Mac Mini will get the upgraded Apple M3 Chip, but it’s very likely that they will get it soon enough!
Apple M3 Chip Specs
The M3 chip is an 8-core CPU with up to a 10-core GPU, the M3 Pro has a 12-core CPU and an 18-core GPU, and the M3 Max goes further with a 16-core CPU and a 40-core GPU. The M3 Pro and M3 Max also come in versions with fewer cores for specific MacBook Pro models. The M3 in the 24-inch iMac offers 8-core and 10-core GPU options.
Though there’s no M3 Ultra yet, it’s expected to have a 32-core CPU and 80-core GPU. Apple claims the M3 chips deliver 2.5x better GPU speeds than M1 with half the power. When we compare the performance of the Apple M3 chip, it clearly outshines M1 and M2 by being almost 30-50% faster than the older ones.
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M2 vs M3 Chips Comparison
| Models/Chips | M2 Chips | M3 Chips |
| Standard | 8 CPU cores, 4 high-performance and 4 energy-efficient,
8 or 10 GPU cores |
8 CPU cores 4, high-performance and 4 energy-efficient,
8 or 10 GPU cores |
| Pro | 10 or 12 CPU cores, 6/8 high-performance and 4 energy-efficient,
16 or 19 GPU cores |
11 or 12 CPU cores, 5 or 6 high-performance and 6 energy-efficient,
14 or 18 GPU cores |
| Max | 12 CPU cores, 8 high-performance along with 4 energy-efficient,
30 or 38 core GPU cores |
14/16 CPU cores, 10/12 high-performance and 4 energy-efficient,
30 or 40 GPU cores |
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3-Nanometer Technology
The new M3 series chips from Apple, unlike their predecessors M1 and M2, utilise TSMC’s cutting-edge 3-nanometer chip technology instead of the 5-nanometer technology. This advancement results in a higher transistor density, enhancing both efficiency and performance. The move to 3nm chips could lead to a remarkable 35 percent improvement in efficiency, translating to extended battery life for certain Mac models.
Notably, TSMC is among the limited chip manufacturers capable of producing 3nm chips, with speculation about yield rates currently hovering slightly above 55 percent due to the nascent nature of this technology. Apple’s adoption of the 3nm process represents a significant leap forward, surpassing the 5nm M1 chip introduced in 2020, promising a substantial performance upgrade over the M2.
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GPU and Dynamic Caching
Apple claims that the M3 chips mark a significant advancement in graphics architecture for Apple silicon, featuring faster and more efficient graphics technology. The M3 GPUs support features like Dynamic Caching, hardware-accelerated ray tracing, and mesh shading. A standout feature is Dynamic Caching, designed to enhance GPU performance by efficiently using the precise amount of memory required for tasks, preventing unnecessary memory allocation.
This mechanism appears to prioritise simpler GPU programs, potentially leading to improved overall performance. Dynamic Caching enables hardware-accelerated ray tracing, providing Macs with official support for this feature in games. Additionally, the architecture incorporates mesh shading, positioning the M3 family for future gaming advancements, and aligning with Apple’s ongoing efforts in Mac gaming.
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Ray Tracing and Battery Life
Apple silicon chips, like the M3, not only deliver impressive speed but also excel in battery efficiency, outperforming many Intel chips. The MacBook Pro equipped with the M3 chip can achieve an extended battery life of up to 22 hours.
The new M3 chips mark the introduction of hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading on Mac, promising enhanced graphics quality with more realistic lighting and detailed environments. Apple claims the M3 GPU delivers equivalent performance to the M1 but at half the power consumption, providing up to 65% more performance at its peak.
In a preview of the upcoming Myst remake on the iMac 2023 with the M3 chip, the hardware-accelerated ray tracing showcased impressive graphics, featuring intricate shadows and realistic lighting effects, demonstrating the chip’s capabilities.
Apple M3 Performance
The M3 series brings significant CPU improvements, with performance cores up to 30% faster than M1 and efficiency cores up to 50% faster. This M3 chip series uses very little power comparatively as M1, while still offering up to 35% more peak performance.
The entry-level M3 has a 10-core GPU and an 8-core CPU that comes with 24GB storage memory so that it can provide powerful yet efficient performance. The M3 Pro and M3 Max offer further capabilities that ultimately provide more robust performance.
The M3 chips also feature an improved Neural Engine, accelerating machine learning by up to 60%, and an advanced media engine supporting various video codecs, including AV1 decoding, a first for Mac processors.
Performance of the High-End Apple M3 Chips
Apple has also released two variants of the Apple M3 Chip, M3 Pro and M3 Max and obviously, their performance varies a bit. According to Apple, the 12-core CPU on the M3 Pro is up to 20% faster and the M3 Pro’s 18-core GPU provides up to a 40% improvement over the M1 Pro.
When it comes to the M3 Max chip, it comes with a 16-core CPU that is said to offer up to 50% faster performance than previous chips. The 40-core GPU on the M3 Max is up to 20% faster than the M2 Max and up to 50% faster than the M1 Max. In practicality, the M3 Pro shows amazing performance capabilities along with M3 Max excels at everything.
Which Macs will be getting M3 Chips?
Apple is slowly rolling out its M3 chips all across the world with its Mac lineup. The 14-inch MacBook Pro offers a choice between M3, M3 Pro, or M3 Max whereas the 24-inch iMac features the Apple M3 chip. The 16-inch MacBook Pro has also come out with M3 Pro or M3 Max options.
Speculations suggest that the upcoming 27-inch iMac Pro may integrate M3 Pro and M3 Max chips in early 2024. Meanwhile, the Mac mini, being a prime candidate for an M3 upgrade, could follow Apple’s typical release schedule, considering its last update in January 2023.
However, products like the MacBook Air and Mac Studio may not see M3 upgrades very soon, given their recent releases in June 2023, with Apple likely holding back on the MacBook Air M1 as it continues to sell well.
Also Read: Macbook Pro M3: The Laptop That Will Change The Way You Work And Play
Conclusion
In summary, the Apple M3 chip brings significant performance improvements, particularly in the M3 Max version, as evident in the new MacBook Pro models and the upcoming 24-inch iMac. Equipped with advanced features like Dynamic Caching, the M3 series reflects Apple’s dedication to innovation. The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3, available from November 7th, boasts a remarkable 60% performance increase over its predecessor, showcasing Apple’s ongoing commitment to advancing its custom silicon technology. For more such interesting facts, visit TheWebHunting website.
