Apple M1 Pro (8-core CPU) vs Apple M3: specs and benchmark comparison
Multi-thread performance
depends on the taskBenchmark results disagree, so the choice depends on the specific task.
No comparable benchmarks yet: single-thread performance, gaming (cpu-bound scenarios), power efficiency.
Advantages
Only measured and rated values: a noticeable benchmark gap and specs where more is better.
Where Apple M1 Pro (8-core CPU) is better1
Blender Benchmark 4.5.0 21.2% faster152 samples/min vs 126 samples/min
Where Apple M3 is better0
No advantages found in our data.
Benchmarks
Results are compared within one benchmark, one version and the same conditions.
- A ahead by 21.2%
Blender Benchmark 4.5.0
CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom · samples/min, higher is better
Apple M1 Pro (8-core CPU)152.1 samples/minApple M3125.6 samples/minPosition among tested models (89)
B · 126A · 1520200400600800Each dot is one model’s median in this benchmark. The scale starts at zero, samples/min. Apple M1 Pro (8-core CPU) is ahead by 21.2% in this benchmark.
About the measurement and source
- A · Apple M1 Pro (8-core CPU)
152.1 samples/min · community measurement, sample 22 · November 14, 2026
Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation)
Median of 22 submissions (1 outliers excluded), interquartile range 144.38–159; submissions 2025-07-18 to 2026-02-23; CPU backend. Snapshot 2026-11-14.
- B · Apple M3
125.6 samples/min · community measurement, sample 49 · November 14, 2026
Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation)
Median of 49 submissions (0 outliers excluded), interquartile range 111.19–160.43; submissions 2025-07-17 to 2026-03-10; CPU backend. Snapshot 2026-11-14.
difference = |A − B| ÷ the smaller value × 100%. The 5% noticeable threshold is a UX heuristic, not statistical significance.
Cycles render in Blender Benchmark. Median of the sum of samples per minute over three scenes after removing outliers.
Other comparable benchmarks (3)
| Benchmark | A | B | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blender Benchmark 4.2.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 155.5 | 133.9 | A +16.1% |
| Blender Benchmark 4.0.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 159.5 | 168.6 | B +5.7% |
| Blender Benchmark 4.3.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 152.6 | 160.6 | B +5.2% |
Each benchmark version has its own scale: numbers are compared only within a row.
Reference results (14)
| Benchmark | A | B | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blender Benchmark 5.1.1CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 135.8 | 127.6 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.2.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 150.6 | 144.2 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.0.1CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 156.3 | — | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 3.1.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 147.1 | — | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 3.2.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 149.1 | — | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 3.2.1CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 148.5 | — | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 3.3.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 164.3 | — | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 3.4.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 158 | 160.5 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.5.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 151.3 | — | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 3.6.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 153.9 | 130.2 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 4.1.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 149.1 | 162.9 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 4.4.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 156.5 | 154.9 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.0.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 140.4 | 156.1 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.1.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 156.9 | 154.8 | reference |
Each benchmark version has its own scale: numbers are compared only within a row.
Specifications
| Specification | A · Apple M1 Pro (8-core CPU) | B · Apple M3 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cores and clocks | |||
| CoresCores of different types may differ in performance. | 8 (6P + 2E) | 8 (4P + 4E) | equal |
| Platform | |||
| Process node | 5 nm | 3 nm | differs |
| Memory and interfaces | |||
| Memory type | Unified memory | Unified memory | equal |
| Max memory capacity | no data | 24 GB | no data for A |
| Integrated graphics | Apple M1 Pro (14 / 16-core GPU) | Apple M3 (8 / 10-core GPU) | differs |
Cores and clocks
Cores
A8 (6P + 2E)
B8 (4P + 4E)
equalCores of different types may differ in performance.
Platform
Process node
A5 nm
B3 nm
differs
Memory and interfaces
Memory type
AUnified memory
BUnified memory
equalMax memory capacity
Ano data
B24 GB
no data for AIntegrated graphics
AApple M1 Pro (14 / 16-core GPU)
BApple M3 (8 / 10-core GPU)
differs
“More” does not always mean “better”: higher power draw or size is a system requirement, not an advantage (such bars are dimmed).
Compare with AI
An AI model reviews the specs and benchmarks of this pair and gives a plain-language verdict on who each model suits.
Questions and answers
Do these CPUs have integrated graphics?
Apple M1 Pro (8-core CPU): Apple M1 Pro (14 / 16-core GPU). Apple M3: Apple M3 (8 / 10-core GPU).
Which is faster: Apple M1 Pro (8-core CPU) or Apple M3?
It depends on the task: multi-thread performance: results disagree.
See also
Data sources (2)
- Apple — specifications of Apple M1 Pro (8-core CPU), specifications of Apple M3checked November 14, 2026
- Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation) — benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.5.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.1.1, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.0.1, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.1.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.2.1, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.3.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.4.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.5.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.6.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.0.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.1.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.3.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.4.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.0.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.1.0checked November 14, 2026
How we compare: methodology. Where the data comes from: sources.