Apple M4 vs Apple M3
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Apple M4 | Apple M3 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cores / threads | 10 / 10 | 8 / 8 | — |
| Boost clock (GHz) | 4.4 | 4.1 | — |
| Single-core score | 3,700 | 3,050 | +21.3% |
| Multi-core score | 14,500 | 11,700 | +23.9% |
| TDP (W) | 22 | 22 | — |
- Apple M4 is faster than Apple M3 by 21.3% in single-core and faster by 23.9% in multi-core.
- Apple M3 draws less power (22W vs 22W).
Verdict: M4 or M3?
Apple M4 advantages
- Single-core speed (+18%)
- Multi-core speed (+19%)
- Peak clock (+8%)
Apple M3 advantages
- No decisive advantage on the tracked metrics.
Which should you choose?
- Choose the Apple M4 if you mainly game or want snappy everyday responsiveness.
- Choose the Apple M4 if you render video, compile code or run heavy multitasking.
Apple M4 vs Apple M3: which should you choose?
Apple M4 — 10-core / 10-thread Apple laptop processor (2024) with a boost clock of 4.4 GHz and 22 W TDP.
Apple M3 — 8-core / 8-thread Apple laptop processor (2023) with a boost clock of 4.05 GHz and 22 W TDP.
Apple M4 vs Apple M3: Apple M4 leads in multi-core performance. Apple M4 is faster than Apple M3 by 21.3% in single-core and faster by 23.9% in multi-core. Apple M3 draws less power (22W vs 22W).
Gaming and single-threaded work
Games and everyday responsiveness lean on single-core speed. The Apple M4 leads there with a single-core score of 3,700 versus 3,050, so it is the marginally better pick for high-refresh gaming — though at typical resolutions the GPU usually decides frame rates.
Content creation and multitasking
For rendering, compilation, video export and other all-core workloads, the Apple M4 is stronger, posting 14,500 multi-core against 11,700. Its 10 cores and 10 threads give it real headroom for heavy parallel jobs.
Power and platform
The Apple M4 is the more efficient chip at 22 W versus 22 W, which means less heat, quieter cooling and lower running costs under sustained load.
The verdict
Both are credible choices in the processor comparison space; the specification table above lays out every metric so you can weigh the trade-offs that matter to you. Pick the one whose strengths line up with how you will actually use it.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Apple M4 better than the Apple M3?
Apple M4 is the clearly stronger overall choice, winning most of the dimensions that matter. Apple M4 is faster than Apple M3 by 21.3% in single-core and faster by 23.9% in multi-core.
What is the main difference between the Apple M4 and the Apple M3?
Apple M4 is faster than Apple M3 by 21.3% in single-core and faster by 23.9% in multi-core. Apple M3 draws less power (22W vs 22W).
Which should I choose?
Choose the Apple M4 if you mainly game or want snappy everyday responsiveness. Choose the Apple M4 if you render video, compile code or run heavy multitasking.
Methodology
Each processor is scored on a normalized benchmark index aggregating single-core and multi-core results. Single-core predicts responsiveness and gaming; multi-core predicts throughput in rendering and compilation. We also report cores/threads, boost clock and TDP.