Tag: M3 Ultra

  • Apple Raises RAM Upgrade Prices for M3 Ultra Mac Studio

    Apple Raises RAM Upgrade Prices for M3 Ultra Mac Studio

    Key Takeaways

    1. The M3 Ultra Mac Studio surprised many but falls behind the M4 Max in single-core performance despite its high price.
    2. The M3 Ultra features 512 GB of unified system memory, allowing users to run large language models locally without costly enterprise GPUs.
    3. Due to DRAM shortages, the Mac Studio’s maximum RAM configuration has been reduced from 512 GB to 256 GB.
    4. The price for upgrading to 256 GB has increased from $1,600 to $2,000, reflecting Apple’s longstanding premium pricing strategy for memory upgrades.
    5. An upcoming M5 Ultra SoC could introduce a new Mac Studio with advanced AI capabilities, but it’s unclear if it will offer a 512 GB memory option.

    When the M3 Ultra Mac Studio was revealed last year, it truly surprised many gadget enthusiasts. The M3 Ultra was introduced alongside the M4 Max variant, which made the former fall behind in single-core performance, even though it came with a staggering price tag.

    Specifications and Performance

    Despite this, the M3 Ultra offered an impressive 512 GB of unified system memory that the GPU and CPU shared, enabling users to run large language models (LLMs) locally without needing to invest in expensive enterprise-level GPUs.

    The ongoing shortage of DRAM has affected many, and it seems Apple has not escaped the impact either. As of now, the Mac Studio with 512 GB of RAM has been phased out, and the maximum configuration is now “only” 256 GB of RAM.

    Memory Capabilities

    Even with 256 GB of shared memory, the Mac Studio is capable of managing LLMs that other consumer-grade GPUs simply cannot handle. The top-tier Ryzen AI Max+ 395 APU from the AMD Strix Halo series only supports up to 128 GB (the ROG Flow Z13 is currently priced at $2,170 on Amazon). However, it’s important to note that the M3 Ultra doesn’t match the raw performance of other high-end consumer GPUs like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090.

    Interestingly, the costs for memory upgrades had remained stable in Apple’s ecosystem—until now. The upgrade to 256 GB for the Mac Studio, previously priced at $1,600, has now increased to $2,000. Other Mac models do not appear to have experienced any price adjustments.

    Pricing Strategy

    It’s crucial to mention that Apple has long charged high premiums for storage and memory upgrades, even before the supply chain issues came into play, suggesting that their current pricing approach is anything but generous. Nevertheless, it seems the company has decided that the 512 GB memory option for the Mac Studio was too costly given the current circumstances.

    As we mentioned earlier, the M5 Ultra SoC has been detected in a beta version of macOS, hinting that a new Mac Studio featuring exceptional AI capabilities thanks to neural accelerators in every GPU core is likely on the horizon. Whether this new version will offer a 512 GB memory configuration is still uncertain.

     

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  • Apple’s Powerful Desktop Unable to Install Latest macOS Update

    Apple’s Powerful Desktop Unable to Install Latest macOS Update

    Key Takeaways

    1. Users with M3 Ultra Mac Studios are experiencing installation issues with macOS 26 Tahoe.
    2. The installation process fails at the final stages, reverting back to macOS Sequoia.
    3. Other Apple products, like the M4 MacBook Pro, can install macOS 26 Tahoe without issues.
    4. A potential cause for the problem may relate to the installer not recognizing the M3 Ultra’s Neural Engine.
    5. Apple is aware of the issue and is working on a solution.

    Despite its impressive capabilities, the M3 Ultra Mac Studio seems to have trouble with Apple’s newest operating system.

    Reports from users are filling up Apple’s Community forums, indicating that Mac Studios powered by the M3 Ultra can’t seem to install macOS 26 Tahoe, which was launched on September 15. The original poster, Boschje79, mentioned that the installation proceeds without any issues until the final stages, where the Mac Studio defaults back to loading macOS Sequoia instead of Tahoe.

    Users Share Their Frustrations

    Many users resonated with Boschje79’s experience, stating they, too, faced obstacles in updating their M3 Ultra Mac Studios. The problem appears to be confined to this specific setup, as individuals using other Apple products (like the M4 MacBook Pro 14, currently listed on Amazon for $1499) were able to install Tahoe without any problems.

    Another user, FilipOfficial, suggested that the installation failure might be linked to the installer not being able to recognize the M3 Ultra’s Neural Engine. The original thread included a panic message indicating that the installer couldn’t validate the Apple Neural Engine. At this time, it’s still unconfirmed whether this is the actual cause of the issue.

    Apple Working on a Solution

    Apple is aware of this issue and is actively pursuing a fix. However, for the moment, it appears that the most powerful desktop from Apple is stuck running slightly older software.

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  • Apple M3 Ultra Beats Ryzen 9 9950X & Core Ultra 9 by 30% in Cinebench 2024

    Apple M3 Ultra Beats Ryzen 9 9950X & Core Ultra 9 by 30% in Cinebench 2024

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Apple Mac Studio now features the M3 Ultra chip, boasting a 32-core CPU and an 80-core GPU for top-tier performance.
    2. The M3 Ultra outperforms high-end x86 processors like the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X and Intel Core Ultra 9 285K in Cinebench 2024 benchmarks.
    3. Apple’s M3 Ultra excels in CPU-intensive tasks and supports up to 512 GB of unified memory for demanding workloads.
    4. Future benchmarks will clarify the M3 Ultra’s potential, but it currently leads in efficiency and multi-core performance for consumer systems.
    5. Upcoming AMD Zen 6 CPUs may challenge the M3 Ultra, but currently, the M3 Ultra stands out in the market.

    The Apple Mac Studio has been updated and is an impressive machine, to put it lightly. At its peak configuration, it can come with the M3 Ultra chip, a powerful SoC. This chip features a 32-core CPU and a gigantic 80-core GPU, delivering performance that stands out as the best a Mac can provide and ranks among the top for systems under 500 watts. There’s hardly any x86 product that can compete with the M3 Ultra, as it occupies a unique space where it easily outshines high-end consumer processors, but unsurprisingly doesn’t reach the core counts of server-grade chips.

    Comparisons with x86 Systems

    For example, a high-end x86 system priced similarly to the Mac Studio would probably have either a 16-core AMD Ryzen 9 9950X (currently listed at $544.74 on Amazon) or a 24-core Intel Core Ultra 9 285K processor. Cinebench 2024 shows that the 32-core M3 Ultra dominates both of these x86 systems. With a score of 3,000, the M3 Ultra outperforms the Ryzen 9 9950X by 25% and the Core Ultra 9 285K by about 30%. This is expected, given the significantly higher core count of the M3 Ultra.

    Performance Insights

    Nevertheless, it’s clear that the Apple M3 Ultra will excel in most CPU-intensive tasks compared to any x86 consumer desktop available today. As previously mentioned, the M3 Ultra’s GPU performs somewhere in between the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 and RTX 5080, but actual performance can vary based on the specific tasks. Additionally, the ability to configure the M3 Ultra with up to 512 GB of unified memory lets it handle workloads that weren’t feasible on a consumer desktop before now.

    Future Testing and Developments

    As more benchmarks and tests come to light, the true potential of the M3 Ultra will likely become more defined. While it’s evident that it will lead in overall efficiency, actual performance will depend on how well software developers adapt their applications to leverage this impressive hardware. There are whispers that AMD’s upcoming Zen 6 CPUs will feature up to 24 performance cores, which could pose a real challenge to the M3 Ultra. But for the time being, it’s apparent that Apple’s top-tier model reigns supreme in multi-core performance for consumer systems.

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    Apple M3 Ultra Beats Ryzen 9 9950X & Core Ultra 9 by 30% in Cinebench 2024
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  • Apple M3 Ultra Beats Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti but Lags Behind RTX 5080

    Apple M3 Ultra Beats Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti but Lags Behind RTX 5080

    Key Takeaways

    1. The M3 Ultra features a 32-core CPU with 24 high-performance cores and an 80-core GPU, making it the fastest chip ever in a Mac.

    2. The M3 Ultra excels in GPU performance, achieving 374 FPS in the GFXBench 4K Aztec Ruins test, nearly doubling the M3 Max’s score.

    3. In the Cinebench 2024 GPU test, the M3 Ultra scored around 20,000 points, outperforming the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX by 25% and matching the Nvidia RTX 4070 Ti.

    4. While the M3 Ultra shows great potential, its single-threaded performance may not be as strong, and real-world use may vary across different tasks.

    5. The M3 Ultra’s efficiency and substantial VRAM capacity set it apart, with expectations for more detailed performance comparisons against competitors in the future.

    Apple has just introduced the M3 Ultra, which is, without a doubt, the fastest chip ever put into a Mac. It features an impressive 32-core CPU that includes 24 high-performance cores and an 80-core GPU. The M3 Ultra is expected to show stunning results in benchmarks, though its performance in single-threaded tasks might not be as remarkable. Recently, it appeared on Geekbench, but the results were a bit underwhelming. However, as more reviews are released, the M3 Ultra’s capabilities are becoming clearer.

    GPU Performance Takes Center Stage

    According to a review by Dave2D and data from GFXBench, the M3 Ultra-powered Mac Studio excels in GPU tasks, which aligns with expectations since the M3 Max, which is the base for the Ultra, was a significant leap in GPU tech. In the GFXBench 4K Aztec Ruins (High Tier) test, the M3 Max scored about 200 FPS, while the M3 Ultra nearly doubled that, achieving an impressive 374 FPS. This performance puts the M3 Ultra (Metal) roughly 9% below the GeForce RTX 5080 (DirectX 12) and around 20% ahead of the RTX 5070 Ti, based on GFXBench’s findings. When compared to the M4 Max found in higher-end MacBook Pros, priced at $3,564 on Amazon, the M3 Ultra is approximately 63.6% faster.

    Cinebench Results Show Promise

    In the Cinebench 2024 GPU test, the M3 Ultra scored about ~20,000 points, as reported by The Verge. This figure puts it a staggering 25% ahead of the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX, which scores around ~16,000 points on the same benchmark. Interestingly, the M3 Ultra performs similarly to the Nvidia RTX 4070 Ti in this test. However, it’s worth noting that a handful of benchmark tests aren’t necessarily indicative of real-world use, especially given the variety of APIs in play.

    Furthermore, it’s likely that the M3 Ultra will excel in many tasks due to its specialized engines, although it may struggle in areas like 3D rendering when pitted against top-tier RTX cards. When it comes to efficiency and VRAM, the M3 Ultra stands out, especially since no consumer GPU gets close to delivering half a terabyte of reasonably fast VRAM. As time goes on, more practical performance comparisons between the M3 Ultra and its x86 rivals are expected, providing clearer insights for potential buyers.

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    Apple M3 Ultra Beats Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti but Lags Behind RTX 5080
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  • Apple M3 Ultra Debuts on Geekbench with New Mac Studio

    Apple M3 Ultra Debuts on Geekbench with New Mac Studio

    Key Takeaways

    1. The M3 Ultra chip offers significant improvements over the M2 Ultra, including 32 CPU cores and the ability to support up to 512 GB of unified memory.
    2. Geekbench scores show a 20% increase in single-core performance and a 30% increase in multicore performance for the M3 Ultra compared to the M2 Ultra.
    3. The GPU performance improvements are less pronounced, with a 13% increase in the Metal test and a 9% increase in the OpenCL benchmark.
    4. Compared to AMD’s Ryzen AI Max+ 395, the M3 Ultra shows about 9% better single-core performance and 33% better multicore performance, with a 63% advantage in GPU performance.
    5. The M3 Ultra-powered Mac Studio starts at $3,999 for 96 GB of RAM, significantly higher than a comparable system with Ryzen AI Max+ 395, which is priced at $1,999.

    Apple has quietly unveiled a brand new chip along with the latest Mac Studio. The M3 Ultra, which many thought was scrapped, brings some astonishing improvements over the M2 Ultra, including additional CPU cores and the ability to support up to 512 GB of unified memory. Recent Geekbench results have shed light on how the M3 Ultra compares with its predecessor.

    Performance and Specifications

    The Mac Studio being discussed is referred to as code-named Mac15,14. Its predecessor, the one featuring the M2 Ultra, is known as Mac 14,14. This indicates that the latter is indeed the new model, as confirmed by its impressive specs including 32 CPU cores and 256 GB of RAM exclusive to the M3 Ultra. According to Apple’s official site, this model is equipped with 80 GPU cores.

    In the CPU test conducted by Geekbench 6.4, the M3 Ultra achieved scores of 3,262 and 28,333 points. Its predecessor, the M2 Ultra, managed 2,718 and 21,754 points. This shows a 20% boost in single-core performance and a 30% enhancement in multicore performance. The first improvement comes from an increase in clock speed (4.05 GHz compared to 3.48 GHz) and various upgrades made possible by the M3 architecture. The latter improvement is due to the higher number of CPU cores. However, these remarkable enhancements apply only to the CPU.

    GPU Performance

    When it comes to graphics, the improvements are less striking. In the Metal test from Geekbench, the M3 Ultra recorded 259,277 points, which is 13% faster than the M2 Ultra’s score of 229,348. A similar pattern emerges in the OpenCL benchmark, where the M3 Ultra (147,719) is about 9% faster than the M2 Ultra (135,233).

    The M3 Ultra can be compared to AMD’s Ryzen AI Max+ 395, which scored 2,978 and 21,269 points in Geekbench 6.4’s CPU test, along with 90,181 points in the OpenCL benchmark. In single-core performance, Apple’s M3 Ultra is about 9% superior and approximately 33% faster in multicore tests. On the GPU front, the advantage grows to an impressive 63%. Clearly, the increase in both CPU and GPU cores gives the M3 Ultra a significant edge over the Strix Halo.

    Pricing Comparison

    Apple still holds a commanding position in the market; however, a fully equipped Strix Halo machine featuring a Ryzen AI Max+ 395, 128 GB RAM, and free NVMe SSD slots from Framework can be purchased for just $1,999. In contrast, an M3 Ultra-powered Mac Studio with 96 GB of RAM will cost a staggering $3,999, which also comes with a mere 512 GB of non-upgradable storage.

    Apple M3 Ultra Debuts on Geekbench with New Mac StudioApple M3 Ultra Debuts on Geekbench with New Mac StudioApple M3 Ultra Debuts on Geekbench with New Mac StudioApple M3 Ultra Debuts on Geekbench with New Mac StudioApple M3 Ultra Debuts on Geekbench with New Mac StudioApple M3 Ultra Debuts on Geekbench with New Mac Studio
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  • Mac Studio Launches with New Apple M4 Max and M3 Ultra Chips

    Mac Studio Launches with New Apple M4 Max and M3 Ultra Chips

    Key Takeaways

    1. Apple has launched the new Mac Studio, featuring M4 Max and M3 Ultra chips, marking it as their most powerful small desktop yet.
    2. The M3 Ultra chip has a 28-core CPU and 60-core GPU, offering up to 892 GB/s memory bandwidth, while the M4 Max mirrors specs from the MacBook Pro.
    3. The M3 Ultra is 2.6 times faster than the previous M1 Ultra model and has a 32-core Neural Engine that processes tokens up to 16.9 times quicker.
    4. Connectivity options include four Thunderbolt 5.0 ports, two USB Type-C ports, two USB Type-A ports, HDMI 2.1, and a 10 Gb/s Ethernet port.
    5. Pricing starts at $1,999 for the M4 Max and $3,999 for the M3 Ultra, with pre-orders available now and general sales beginning on March 12.

    Apple has recently launched its latest small desktop, which many are calling its most powerful yet. Following Mark Gurman’s prediction, the new Mac Studio is finally available, featuring a combination of two generations of technology. Customers can choose between the M4 Max and the M3 Ultra, a chip that many thought was no longer in production.

    Performance Details

    The M3 Ultra is similar to its earlier model, consisting of two M3 Max chips placed together. It boasts a 28-core CPU, which includes 20 performance cores and 8 efficiency cores, along with a 60-core GPU. Users have the option to upgrade to a 32-core CPU and an 80-core GPU. Both options offer an impressive memory bandwidth that reaches up to 892 GB/s. In contrast, the specifications for the M4 Max are the same as those seen in the MacBook Pro, featuring up to a 16-core CPU and a 40-core GPU.

    Speed and Connectivity

    Apple asserts that the M3 Ultra is 2.6 times quicker than the Mac Studio equipped with the M1 Ultra. When compared to the same chip, its 32-core Neural Engine can generate tokens in LM Studio up to 16.9 times faster. The new Mac Studio is loaded with connectivity options, featuring four Thunderbolt 5.0 ports located at the rear, along with two USB 3.2 Type-C ports situated at the front (Thunderbolt 5.0 is exclusive to the M3 Ultra variant).

    Additional Features and Pricing

    Other connectivity features include two USB 3.0 Type-A ports, a 10 Gb/s Ethernet port, an HDMI 2.1 port, and a 3.5 mm audio jack. The base model of the M4 Max Mac Studio comes with 512 GB of storage and 36 GB of unified memory, while the M3 Ultra variant offers a 1 TB SSD and 96 GB of unified memory. The M4 Max can be expanded to 128 GB of RAM and 8 TB of storage, whereas the M3 Ultra can reach 512 GB of RAM and 16 TB of storage.

    The M4 Max supports video output for up to five displays, while the M3 Ultra can manage up to eight displays. Unfortunately, neither model supports Wi-Fi 7, so users will have to make do with Wi-Fi 6e and Bluetooth 5.3. The starting price for the M4 Max Mac Studio is $1,999, while the M3 Ultra version begins at $3,999. Pre-orders are now available on Apple’s website, with general sales set to start on March 12.

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    Mac Studio Launches with New Apple M4 Max and M3 Ultra Chips

     

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  • New Mac Studio with M3 Ultra Set to Launch with M4 MacBook Air

    New Mac Studio with M3 Ultra Set to Launch with M4 MacBook Air

    Key Takeaways

    1. Apple quietly launched the M3 iPad Air and 11th generation iPad, featuring double the base storage and an upgraded A16 chip.
    2. A new MacBook Air is expected to be released soon, alongside a new Mac Studio.
    3. The upcoming Mac Studio will use an M3 Ultra chip instead of the anticipated M4 Ultra chip, which is likely reserved for a future Mac Pro.
    4. The M3 Ultra chip is expected to provide significant performance advantages over competitors, particularly against AMD’s Ryzen AI Max 395 Plus.
    5. Mark Gurman provided insights on the competitive landscape and performance expectations of the new Apple products.

    Apple caught everyone off guard with a quiet launch of the M3 iPad Air and the 11th generation iPad yesterday. Both devices are seen as mid-cycle updates, with the iPad offering double the base storage and an upgraded A16 chip. Additionally, a new MacBook Air is expected to release this week, but there’s word of a surprise addition to the lineup.

    New Mac Studio on the Horizon

    Mark Gurman has revealed that the M4 MacBook Air is set to launch alongside a new Mac Studio. It’s been a while since we’ve seen a Mac Studio, last featuring a two-generations-old M2 Ultra chip. This sparks an interesting question: which chip will the upcoming Mac Studio be equipped with?

    Speculations on Chip Performance

    Logic would suggest that the new model might use an M4 chip, but that’s not the case. Gurman mentions that it will actually utilize an Apple M3 Ultra instead of an M4 Ultra. He notes that the M4 Ultra is likely saved for a future Mac Pro. Still, the M3 Ultra should deliver more than sufficient power for a device of the Mac Studio’s caliber. Apple generally does not mix and match chips within a single generation, but the Ultra chip stands apart.

    Apple is already significantly ahead of its rivals this generation, and the M3 Ultra will only enhance that advantage. Its nearest competitor, AMD’s Strix Halo-based Ryzen AI Max 395 Plus, may compete well with the M3 Max, but the dynamics could change when comparing it to the M3 Ultra.

    Insights from Mark Gurman

    Mark Gurman shared these insights on X, highlighting the competitive landscape and the potential performance of the new products.

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