M3 Max chips being tested for future MacBook Pro models

AppleInsider said:

The report states that the M3 Max will have a 16-core CPU and up to 40 GPU cores. The 16-core CPU breaks down to 12 high-performance cores and 4 efficiency cores.

That's a step up from the 10-core CPU and up to 38-core GPU in the current M2 Max.

M1 Max was 10-core (8 performance, 2 efficiency), M2 Max has 12-core CPU (8 performance, 4 efficiency), 38-core GPU:

https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/macbook-pro/16-inch-space-gray-apple-m2-max-with-12-core-cpu-and-38-core-gpu-1tb

I reckon M3 Max won't top out at 40-core GPU as that's very little improvement over the current 38-core. I think that would be the equivalent of the M2 Max with 30-core GPU:

https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/macbook-pro/16-inch-space-gray-apple-m2-pro-with-12-core-cpu-and-19-core-gpu-1tb

M3 Max would more likely have 2 options: 16-core CPU, 40-core GPU, 16-core CPU, 50-core GPU ($200 upgrade).

This would be 50% more CPU performance cores and 30% more GPU cores, combined with 15% performance gain from N3 so 70% CPU boost, 50% GPU boost over M2. All while consuming less power. This should be a decent upgrade but I definitely don't expect Pro models before March 2024 (January at the earliest) so if people need a Pro M-series upgrade, M2 Pro/Max would be worth getting now. Entry level (Air) would be best to wait for M3 in October.

Marvin said:

AppleInsider said:

The report states that the M3 Max will have a 16-core CPU and up to 40 GPU cores. The 16-core CPU breaks down to 12 high-performance cores and 4 efficiency cores.

That's a step up from the 10-core CPU and up to 38-core GPU in the current M2 Max.

M1 Max was 10-core (8 performance, 2 efficiency), M2 Max has 12-core CPU (8 performance, 4 efficiency), 38-core GPU:

https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/macbook-pro/16-inch-space-gray-apple-m2-max-with-12-core-cpu-and-38-core-gpu-1tb

I reckon M3 Max won't top out at 40-core GPU as that's very little improvement over the current 38-core. I think that would be the equivalent of the M2 Max with 30-core GPU:

https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/macbook-pro/16-inch-space-gray-apple-m2-pro-with-12-core-cpu-and-19-core-gpu-1tb

M3 Max would more likely have 2 options: 16-core CPU, 40-core GPU, 16-core CPU, 50-core GPU ($200 upgrade).

This would be 50% more CPU performance cores and 30% more GPU cores, combined with 15% performance gain from N3 so 70% CPU boost, 50% GPU boost over M2. All while consuming less power. This should be a decent upgrade but I definitely don't expect Pro models before March 2024 (January at the earliest) so if people need a Pro M-series upgrade, M2 Pro/Max would be worth getting now. Entry level (Air) would be best to wait for M3 in October.

Apple released the M2-based MBP and Mac mini late January of this year.  I can definitely see them doing the same with the M3-based versions.  So for example you have the following release cycle;

Fall 2023 - M3 iMac / MBA (13" & 15") / 13" MBP

Late Jan 2024 - M3 Pro / Max MBP / M3 Mac mini / M3 Pro Mac mini

Spring 2024 - M3 iPad Pros

My question, as always, will be if these improvements are worth the upgrade to my MBP. I currently have an M1 Max 64 GiB RAM. This, of course, also considers other HW features besides the SoC and RAM limitations. I won't know until it's announced, but I'd wager that I'm still 2 revisions away from upgrading again. I kinda miss upgrading with each new PowerBook release, but I'm also glad for the savings, too.

Xed said:

My question, as always, will be if these improvements are worth the upgrade to my MBP. I currently have an M1 Max 64 GiB RAM. This, of course, also considers other HW features besides the SoC and RAM limitations. I won't know until it's announced, but I'd wager that I'm still 2 revisions away from upgrading again. I kinda miss upgrading with each new PowerBook release, but I'm also glad for the savings, too.

I think you are correct. If Apple continues on a yearly release cycle for the M-class chips, you’d probably be good for a new machine with the M5 or M6 Max. You future-proofed your M1 as much as you could at the time, and I think that will increase the resale value when you do move up.

Interesting framing
"Apple testing M3 for iMac"
"Apple testing M3 Max for MacbookPro"
But between the M3 die and the M3 Max die that covers all the Mac product and a few iPads. What with Ultra and Pro M3's being based on the Max die.