The M3 Max is Apple’s fastest 3nm chipset that can be configured with the newest 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, boasting 97 billion transistors and up to 16-core CPU and a 40-core GPU. While all these specifications are impressive to read about, what is even more astonishing is that Apple gave immense priority to this silicon, as it features the highest transistor count difference for any succeeding M-series chip to date.
Never has Apple introduced a 37 percent transistor count difference for any M-series chip; the second-highest leap is between the M2 and M3
As most of you know, Apple unveiled three new chipsets during its October ‘Scary Fast’ event, starting with the M3, the M3 Pro, and the top-tier M3 Max. The M3 features 25 billion transistors, resulting in a 25 percent increase compared to the M2, while the M3 Pro gets a downgrade in this regard, sporting 37 billion transistors, whereas its predecessor, the M2 Pro, featured 40 billion transistors.
Now, Fred the Frenchy has noticed an interesting aspect of the M3 Max and states that since Apple unveiled the M1 in 2021, it has never introduced a 37 percent transistor count difference between any chipset generation. Even the difference between the M1 Ultra and M2 Ultra is 18 percent, with the latter sporting 134 billion transistors.
This might explain why Apple was able to cram in so many high-performance CPU and GPU cores in the smaller M3 Max die, with a previous Geekbench 6 multi-core leak revealing that it beat the desktop-class M2 Ultra touting a 24-core CPU, which is more than the M3 Max’s highest 16-core configuration.
Assuming Apple sticks with the same ‘UltraFusion’ process where it combines two M3 Max chipsets to develop a single M3 Ultra, it could sport an even higher transistor count difference compared to the M2 Ultra. We are sure to see more benefits of a chipset with a higher transistor count, and if the M3 Max has such capabilities in multi-threaded workloads, we cannot wait to see what else it can achieve.
News Source: Fred the Frenchy
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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