Early benchmark tests of Apple’s M3 Ultra chip, found exclusively in the new 2025 Mac Studio, demonstrate a substantial leap in graphics performance. According to a Geekbench 6 result, the top-end M3 Ultra with an 80-core GPU achieves a Metal score of 259,668, surpassing the M2 Ultra with a 76-core GPU by 16%. This translates to a notable improvement in graphics-intensive tasks.
Comparing the M3 Ultra to the M4 Max, which powers the 16-inch MacBook Pro with a 40-core GPU, reveals an even more significant performance gap. The M3 Ultra’s Metal score indicates a potential 38% improvement in graphics performance over the M4 Max.
While CPU performance gains are more modest, with the M3 Ultra showing a 10% improvement over the M4 chip, the real strength of the M3 Ultra lies in its graphics capabilities. This makes the new Mac Studio an attractive option for professionals and creatives who require exceptional graphics processing power.
Apple’s official claims about the M3 Ultra’s performance seem to align with these early benchmarks. The company touts the chip’s exceptional power efficiency and significant performance gains over previous generations. Notably, the M3 Ultra is the first Apple silicon chip to support up to 512GB of RAM, unlocking new possibilities for demanding workloads.
The M3 Ultra Mac Studio is set to be available in stores starting March 12, offering users a powerful new option for tackling graphics-intensive tasks and pushing the boundaries of creative workflows.
