Apple has recently announced the latest iteration of its Mac Studio lineup, featuring both the M3 Ultra and M4 Max chips. This marks a significant departure from previous generations, as Apple is now using two different chip series within the same product line. The M3 Ultra, in particular, has garnered attention for its powerful GPU performance, making it the most potent GPU in Apple's Silicon lineup to date.The M3 Ultra chip boasts a 32-core CPU and an 80-core GPU, positioning it as a powerhouse for graphics-intensive tasks such as video editing, 3D modeling, and AI applications. In Metal GPU benchmark tests, the M3 Ultra scored an impressive 259,668, outperforming the M4 Max's GPU by 38% and the M2 Ultra's GPU by 16%.In terms of CPU performance, the M3 Ultra offers a multi-core score of 27,749, which is about 8% higher than the M4 Max's multi-core score of 25,650. However, the M4 Max has faster individual CPU cores, scoring 3,921 in single-core tests compared to the M3 Ultra's 3,221[3]. This suggests that while the M3 Ultra excels in multi-core tasks, the M4 Max might be more suitable for applications that rely heavily on single-core performance.The M3 Ultra's GPU performance is notably superior to other Apple chips, making it ideal for users who require high-end graphics processing. For instance, the M3 Ultra's GPU is significantly faster than the M3 Max MacBook Pro's GPU, with a Metal score that is over 66% higher.The Mac Studio with the M3 Ultra chip starts at $3,999 and includes a 28-core CPU, a 60-core GPU, 96GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage. Upgrading to the full 32-core CPU and 80-core GPU configuration adds $1,500, while increasing the RAM to 512GB costs an additional $4,000, and a 16TB SSD storage option adds $4,600. A fully maxed-out M3 Ultra Mac Studio can cost up to $14,099.The new Mac Studio models are available for pre-order, with an official launch scheduled for March 12. This marks a significant moment for Apple, as it introduces two distinct chip lines within the same product generation, potentially setting the stage for future differentiation between the Mac Studio and Mac Pro lines.The decision to release the M3 Ultra instead of an M4 Ultra chip has sparked speculation. Some analysts believe that Apple might be reserving the Ultra variant of the M4 series for a future Mac Pro model, aiming to maintain a clear distinction between the Mac Studio and Mac Pro product lines.In summary, the M3 Ultra chip in the new Mac Studio offers unparalleled GPU performance, making it a top choice for professionals requiring high-end graphics capabilities. While the M4 Max provides strong CPU performance suitable for most users, the M3 Ultra is positioned as a premium option for those who need the best in graphics processing.
