Apple M4 Chip vs M3 Chip Comparison
Apple’s advancements in chip technology have propelled its devices to a new level of performance and efficiency. With the recent release of the M4 chip, many are curious about how it stacks up against its predecessor, the M3 chip. This article provides a detailed comparison between the two, examining their architecture, performance benchmarks, power efficiency, and more.
Introduction to M4 and M3 Chips #
The M4 and M3 chips are Apple’s latest silicon offerings, designed for high performance in Mac computers, with significant applications in creative, engineering, and scientific tasks. Both chips are fabricated using advanced lithography processes, yet the M4 is a clear successor with notable architectural and technological improvements over the M3.
Architecture Comparison #
M3 Chip Architecture #
The M3 chip introduced several new features:
- Manufacturing Process: Built on a 3nm process, providing efficiency and performance boosts over the previous 5nm nodes.
- CPU Core Configuration: 8-core architecture (4 performance cores + 4 efficiency cores).
- Memory: Up to 24 GB of unified memory.
- Bandwidth: 200 GB/s.
M4 Chip Architecture #
The M4 continues to push boundaries with:
- Manufacturing Process: Utilizes a more refined 3nm process, enhancing transistor density and power efficiency.
- CPU Core Configuration: Expanded to 10 cores (6 performance cores + 4 efficiency cores).
- Memory: Supports up to 32 GB of unified memory.
- Bandwidth: Increased to 300 GB/s.
Performance #
Apple’s M-series chips have become benchmarks in computing efficiency. The M4 chip shows considerable performance increases in both single-core and multi-core tasks compared to the M3 chip, thanks to enhanced architecture and additional cores.
CPU Benchmark Comparison #
| Metric | M3 Chip | M4 Chip | Percentage Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-Core | 2,100 | 2,500 | +19% |
| Multi-Core | 10,200 | 13,500 | +32% |
Real-World Task Performance #
| Task | M3 Time (seconds) | M4 Time (seconds) | Performance Gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video Rendering (4K, 10 min) | 120 | 90 | +25% |
| Machine Learning Inference | 300 | 200 | +33% |
| 3D Rendering | 180 | 130 | +27% |
Power Efficiency #
Apple’s focus on power efficiency ensures that its devices can perform at high levels without sacrificing battery life. The M4 chip, built on a refined 3nm process, provides better efficiency, making it an excellent choice for mobile and battery-dependent applications.
| Metric | M3 Chip | M4 Chip | Efficiency Gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Power (W) | 15W | 13W | +13% |
| Battery Life (Hours) | 10 | 11.5 | +15% |
Graphics and Machine Learning #
The M3 chip introduced powerful GPU capabilities, supporting intensive graphical workloads and neural network tasks. The M4 chip builds on this foundation with even more powerful graphics and neural engines.
GPU and Neural Engine Comparison #
| Feature | M3 Chip | M4 Chip | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPU Cores | 10 | 12 | +20% |
| Neural Engine Cores | 16 | 20 | +25% |
| Graphics Performance (GFLOPS) | 5,000 | 6,200 | +24% |
| ML Performance (TOPS) | 15 | 20 | +33% |
Memory and Storage #
Apple’s unified memory architecture is one of its core strengths, allowing all components to access the same high-speed memory. The M4 chip enhances this architecture by increasing both memory capacity and bandwidth, providing smoother performance in memory-intensive tasks.
| Feature | M3 Chip | M4 Chip |
|---|---|---|
| Max Unified Memory | 24 GB | 32 GB |
| Memory Bandwidth | 200 GB/s | 300 GB/s |
Comparison Table #
| Feature | M3 Chip | M4 Chip | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 3nm | Refined 3nm | Greater efficiency |
| CPU Cores | 4 Performance, 4 Efficiency | 6 Performance, 4 Efficiency | +20% Performance |
| GPU Cores | 10 | 12 | +20% |
| Neural Engine Cores | 16 | 20 | +25% |
| Memory Capacity | 24 GB | 32 GB | +33% |
| Bandwidth | 200 GB/s | 300 GB/s | +50% |
| Battery Life | 10 hours | 11.5 hours | +15% |
