Apple M3 Ultra Chipset Flaunts High Scores On Geekbench

Earlier this week, Apple announced several new products. These include a refresh to the iPad Air lineup, a new M4-powered MacBook Air, and a refresh to the Mac Studio, which is powered by the M3 Ultra chipset. The M3 chipset first appeared in 2023, but the Ultra variant is new. If you’re wondering how the Apple M3 Ultra chipset fares, a Geekbench benchmark should provide some clues.

M3 Ultra benchmarks

According to the benchmarks, the M3 Ultra scored 3,221 on single-core performance and 27,749 on multi-core performance. But what do these numbers mean for users? Basically, if you need a Mac that can handle programs that require multiple cores, then the Mac Studio’s M3 Ultra chipset is more than capable of getting the job done.

Apple called the M3 Ultra the “highest-performing chip it has ever created,” and it looks like they weren’t lying. Apple has Macs that run on the M4 Max, which, before the M3 Ultra, was the most powerful Apple Silicon chipset. However, while the M4 Max beats the M3 Ultra in terms of single-core (4,054 points), it does fall short in multi-core performance (25,913 points). But this doesn’t mean that the M4 Max is worse.

If you need a desktop, then the Mac Studio with the M3 Ultra is the most powerful Mac you can get today. If you want a powerful laptop, the MacBook Pro with the M4 Max is a better option.

Comparing it to 2023’s model

The last time Apple refreshed the Mac Studio was in 2023. Back then, the computer came with the M2 Ultra. However, judging by the Geekbench scores, the M3 Ultra looks like it’s a worthy upgrade over its predecessor. It is up to 30% faster compared ot the 24-core M2 Ultra chipset.

That being said, we need to point out that the scores on benchmarks don’t necessarily reflect real-world performance. Yes, on paper the M3 Ultra is an upgrade over the M2 Ultra. It is also faster in multi-core than the M4 Max. However, there are other variables at play that can affect your experience.

For starters, you won’t notice any difference if you don’t run apps that pushes your computer to the limits. Also, poorly optimized apps can have an effect on performance, too. But, if you’re looking for a new desktop Mac and want the best that Apple has to offer, the M3 Ultra Mac Studio is the way to go—for now.