Apple

Apple M3 Max 40-Core GPU

Expert rating8.3 / 10

Graphics CardsView on apple.com

GPU Brand:: Apple
Tier:: Integrated (full config)
GPU Cores:: 40
Process Node:: 3nm (TSMC N3B)
Memory Type:: Unified
Max Unified Memory:: 128GB
Memory Bandwidth:: 400GB/s
PC-Installable:: No

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Manufacturer: Apple Last updated: September 12, 2026

Apple M3 Max 40-Core GPU (Integrated Graphics/Apple Silicon 3nm/40-Core GPU/Up to 128GB Unified Memory/Not PC-Installable) Review

The Apple M3 Max 40-core GPU is the full, un-binned graphics configuration of the M3 Max chip, pairing 40 GPU cores with a 16-core CPU, up to 128GB of unified memory, and 400GB/s of memory bandwidth on TSMC's 3nm N3B process, found in top-spec 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models from late 2023.

This is the chip Apple put in the most expensive 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro configurations of the late-2023 lineup, and it's the ceiling for laptop graphics Apple has ever shipped outside a desktop Mac Studio. The 3nm process (Apple's first) delivered a real efficiency jump over M2 Max, and the 128GB memory ceiling matters specifically for people working with feature-length 8K timelines or large 3D scenes that would choke a 32GB or 64GB machine. It is not the same chip as the 30-core M3 Max sold in mid-spec configurations, that variant is a genuinely cut-down part with less memory bandwidth and a smaller CPU, not just a software throttle.

The Ceiling of the M3 Generation

At 40 GPU cores and 400GB/s of bandwidth, this is the largest graphics configuration Apple shipped in the M3 generation of MacBook Pro, aimed at colorists, 3D artists, and ML engineers who need both raw shader throughput and a memory pool large enough to hold entire projects without swapping to disk.

Comparison to Alternatives

Against the Apple M4 Max GPU already in this catalog, the M4 Max matches this chip's 40-core ceiling but does it on a refined process with a newer GPU architecture, so it's the faster part at the same core count; buyers should default to M4 Max unless a specific late-2023 machine is the target. Against the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU, the M3 Max trails badly in native Windows game frame rates and CUDA-accelerated workloads, but in Metal-optimized professional apps like Final Cut Pro or DaVinci Resolve it is genuinely competitive while running at a fraction of the RTX 4090 Laptop's power draw and heat output.

Specifications

Performance

Memory Type	Unified LPDDR5

Silicon

Process Node	3nm (TSMC N3B)

Memory

Memory Bandwidth	400 GB/s

Brand	Apple
Model	M3 Max 40-Core GPU
GPU	Apple M3 Max (integrated, full config)
GPU Cores	40
Paired CPU Config	16-core CPU (12P+4E)
Max Unified Memory	128GB
Estimated FP32 Compute	~16 TFLOPS
Found In	14-inch/16-inch MacBook Pro, Late 2023 (top-spec configuration)
PC-Installable	No

Expert Review

Reviewed by Burooj Alam. Rated by us, not by users.

Expert rating8.3 / 10

The largest M3-generation laptop GPU Apple shipped; still a strong Metal performer today, though the M4 Max has since matched its core count with a faster architecture.

Best for

Professional video editors and colorists working in Final Cut Pro or DaVinci Resolve on large timelines.
3D artists and animators running Metal-accelerated renderers who need the largest unified memory pool of the M3 generation.
On-device AI/ML work using Core ML or local LLMs that benefit from 128GB of memory addressable by both CPU and GPU.

Not for

Competitive or high-refresh-rate PC gaming, where native Windows titles and driver support still favor discrete GPUs.
CUDA-dependent workloads such as many scientific computing and Stable Diffusion pipelines built specifically for NVIDIA hardware.
Buyers who don't need the largest memory pool Apple offers; the 30-core M3 Max variant costs less for lighter workloads.

FAQs

What are the key specifications of the Apple M3 Max 40-Core GPU (Integrated Graphics/Apple Silicon 3nm/40-Core GPU/Up to 128GB Unified Memory/Not PC-Installable)?

The Apple M3 Max 40-Core GPU (Integrated Graphics/Apple Silicon 3nm/40-Core GPU/Up to 128GB Unified Memory/Not PC-Installable) is a graphics card from Apple. Key specs: GPU Apple M3 Max (integrated, full config), GPU Cores 40, Process Node 3nm (TSMC N3B), Paired CPU Config 16-core CPU (12P+4E), Memory Type Unified LPDDR5.

Who is the Apple M3 Max 40-Core GPU (Integrated Graphics/Apple Silicon 3nm/40-Core GPU/Up to 128GB Unified Memory/Not PC-Installable) best suited to?

It suits professional video editors and colorists working in final cut pro or davinci resolve on large timelines., 3d artists and animators running metal-accelerated renderers who need the largest unified memory pool of the m3 generation., on-device ai/ml work using core ml or local llms that benefit from 128gb of memory addressable by both cpu and gpu..

What are the drawbacks of the Apple M3 Max 40-Core GPU (Integrated Graphics/Apple Silicon 3nm/40-Core GPU/Up to 128GB Unified Memory/Not PC-Installable)?

It is a poor fit for competitive or high-refresh-rate pc gaming, where native windows titles and driver support still favor discrete gpus., cuda-dependent workloads such as many scientific computing and stable diffusion pipelines built specifically for nvidia hardware., buyers who don't need the largest memory pool apple offers; the 30-core m3 max variant costs less for lighter workloads..