M3 Max Benchmarks with Stable Diffusion, LLMs, and 3D Rendering

Matthew Grdinic
19 Nov 202308:24

TLDRThe video script offers a detailed review and benchmark comparison of the new 16-inch M3 Max MacBook Pro, focusing on its performance for creators and consumers of video, 3D, and AI content. The M3 Max chip, with its 16-core CPU and 40-core GPU, is praised for its significant improvements in AI chat and image generation tasks, as well as its game-changing hardware ray tracing capabilities, which bring a night and day difference in rendering scenes compared to the previous M1 model. The review emphasizes the M3 Max's ability to enable more efficient workflows and open up new avenues of work that were not possible before.

Takeaways

  • 💻 The 16-inch M3 Max MacBook Pro is targeted at creators and consumers of video, 3D, and AI, potentially being overkill for users with less demanding computing needs.
  • 💰 The base price for the 14-inch MacBook Pro starts at $1,999, while the 16-inch model begins at $2,499. The reviewed machine, with top-line specs, costs $4,199.
  • 🚀 The M3 Max chip boasts a 16-core CPU, 40-core GPU, 64GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD, offering significant computing power for complex tasks.
  • 📈 In AI benchmarking, the M3 Max provided more detailed chat responses compared to the M1, with faster token generation for shorter responses.
  • 📊 The M3 Max showed a high-pitched noise during AI and image generation tasks, similar to the M1, which is not harmful but notable.
  • 🖼️ For image generation, the M3 Max performed impressively, reducing the time to generate images significantly, making iterative workflows more viable.
  • 🎮 The M3 chip's Hardware Ray Tracing support offers a transformative improvement in rendering performance, nearly matching a dedicated GPU like the RTX 3080.
  • 🏎️ In 3D rendering tests, the M3 Max outperformed the M1, with the difference in rendering times being substantial, especially with hardware ray tracing enabled.
  • 🔧 The M3 Max's neural engine performed slower in image generation tasks compared to using just the CPU and GPU, suggesting it may not be as efficient for certain tasks.
  • 📈 Overall, the M3 Max MacBook Pro is a significant upgrade, particularly for tasks involving hardware ray tracing, offering a much more usable experience for AI workflows.

Q & A

  • What is the target demographic for the 16-inch M3 Max MacBook Pro?

    -The target demographic for the 16-inch M3 Max MacBook Pro is creators and consumers of video, 3D, and AI who require high computing power for their applications.

  • What are the starting prices for the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models mentioned in the script?

    -The 14-inch MacBook Pro starts at around $1,999, while the 16-inch model starts at $2,499.

  • What are the specifications of the M3 Max MacBook Pro discussed in the video?

    -The M3 Max MacBook Pro discussed has a 16-core CPU, 40-core GPU, 64GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD.

  • How does the M3 Max MacBook Pro perform in AI tasks compared to the M1 MacBook Pro?

    -The M3 Max MacBook Pro provides more detailed responses in AI tasks, such as chat, and faster token generation for shorter responses compared to the M1 MacBook Pro.

  • What issue was noted when running AI programs on both the M3 Max and M1 MacBook Pros?

    -Both the M3 Max and M1 MacBook Pros produced a high-pitched whine when running AI programs, which is unusual but does not cause any harm.

  • How does the M3 Max MacBook Pro perform in image generation tasks using the stable diffusion app?

    -The M3 Max MacBook Pro performs significantly better than the M1, reducing the time to generate a 512x512 image to about 4.5 seconds and a 768x768 image to 14 seconds.

  • What is the impact of using the neural engine on the M3 Max MacBook Pro for AI tasks?

    -Using the neural engine on the M3 Max MacBook Pro for AI tasks resulted in performance that was up to 40% slower compared to using just the CPU and GPU.

  • How does hardware ray tracing affect the performance of the M3 Max MacBook Pro in 3D tasks?

    -Hardware ray tracing on the M3 Max MacBook Pro significantly improves the performance in 3D tasks, offering a night and day difference compared to rendering without it.

  • What was the conclusion about the M3 Max MacBook Pro's performance in the video?

    -The M3 Max MacBook Pro is a fantastic upgrade, with every task performed being faster, especially in hardware ray tracing, making it a significant improvement over the M1 MacBook Pro.

  • What advice is given regarding the purchase of a new MacBook Pro for AI and 3D tasks?

    -It is recommended to get at least 64GB of RAM when purchasing a new MacBook Pro for AI and 3D tasks to fully utilize the potential of the powerful processors.

  • How does the M3 Max MacBook Pro compare to a PC with an RTX 3080 GPU in image generation tasks?

    -While the PC with an RTX 3080 GPU is still faster, the M3 Max MacBook Pro is much more usable and has significantly reduced image generation times, making it a viable tool for such tasks.

Outlines

00:00

💻 MacBook Pro 16-inch M3 Max Overview and Target Audience

This paragraph introduces the video's focus on the 16-inch M3 Max MacBook Pro, emphasizing its appeal to creators and consumers of video, 3D, and AI content. The speaker acknowledges that while the machine is powerful, it may be overkill for those not requiring such computing capabilities. The video aims to explore whether the M3 Max lives up to its potential for its target demographic, particularly in comparison to the previous M1 model. The speaker's own machine is specified, highlighting its high-end configuration with a 16-core CPU, 40-core GPU, 64GB RAM, and 1TB SSD, though it notes the high cost associated with such a setup.

05:00

🚀 Performance Benchmarks and AI Capabilities

The speaker delves into the performance benchmarks and AI capabilities of the M3 Max MacBook Pro. It compares the new machine with the outgoing M1 model, discussing expectations and potential improvements. The AI section focuses on two main programs: a chat application called Private LLM and an image generation tool. The M3 Max outperforms the M1 in detail and response speed for chat tasks, despite similar completion times. For image generation, the M3 Max significantly improves the workflow, reducing image generation times and enabling a more iterative process. The speaker encourages Apple to continue enhancing its hardware and software to maintain this level of performance.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡M3 Max MacBook Pro

The M3 Max MacBook Pro is a high-end laptop from Apple that is designed for professional use, particularly targeting creators and consumers of video, 3D, and AI content. It features a powerful 16-core CPU and a 40-core GPU, along with significant memory and storage options. In the video, the reviewer discusses the performance of this machine in comparison to the previous M1 model, highlighting its capabilities in handling complex tasks such as AI processing and 3D rendering.

💡AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think and learn like humans. In the context of the video, AI is used for chat applications and image generation, where the M3 Max MacBook Pro's processing capabilities are tested against the older M1 model. The AI's ability to generate detailed responses and create images quickly is a key focus.

💡Benchmark

A benchmark is a standard or point of reference against which things may be compared, typically used to evaluate the performance of a product or service. In the video, the term is used to describe the various tests conducted to measure the M3 Max MacBook Pro's performance in different tasks, such as AI processing and 3D rendering, and to compare these results with the previous M1 model.

💡Private LLM

Private LLM is a paid application available on the Mac App Store that is used for AI chat and image generation. It features different models, including the 'Maestro 7B' and the more capable 'Wizard LM 13B', which is designed for machines with 16GB of memory or more. The application is used in the video to test the AI capabilities of the M3 Max MacBook Pro.

💡Stable Diffusion

Stable Diffusion is a type of AI model used for image generation, capable of creating detailed images from textual descriptions. In the video, the reviewer uses an app called 'Draw things' that utilizes Stable Diffusion to generate images on the M3 Max MacBook Pro, comparing the performance and speed of image generation with the previous M1 model and a PC with a dedicated GPU.

💡Hardware Ray Tracing

Hardware ray tracing is a technology that simulates the physical behavior of light to produce realistic lighting, shadows, and reflections in 3D scenes. It is a significant advancement in graphics rendering that was previously only possible with powerful, dedicated GPUs. In the video, the M3 Max MacBook Pro's support for hardware ray tracing is highlighted as a game-changer, dramatically improving 3D rendering performance compared to software-based rendering.

💡Neural Engine

The Neural Engine is a part of Apple's chip architecture designed to accelerate machine learning tasks. It is a dedicated hardware component that efficiently processes neural networks, enabling tasks such as image recognition, natural language processing, and other AI-related functions. In the video, the reviewer notes that while the Neural Engine provides similar results on the M1, it becomes a liability on the M3 when used for certain AI tasks, offering slower performance compared to using just the CPU and GPU.

💡3D Rendering

3D rendering is the process of generating a 2D image from a 3D model by simulating the behavior of light and projecting it onto a virtual camera. It is a critical aspect of 3D graphics and is used extensively in video games, movies, and other visual media. In the video, the reviewer evaluates the M3 Max MacBook Pro's 3D rendering capabilities by comparing its performance in rendering common 3D scenes with that of the M1 model and a PC with a dedicated GPU.

💡Optix Rendering Engine

The Optix Rendering Engine is a software development kit (SDK) for GPU-accelerated ray tracing, developed by NVIDIA. It allows developers to create applications that utilize the ray tracing capabilities of NVIDIA GPUs for more realistic lighting and shadows in 3D scenes. In the video, the reviewer compares the performance of the M3 Max MacBook Pro using the Optix engine with that of a PC using CUDA, another NVIDIA technology for GPU computing.

💡Performance

Performance in the context of the video refers to the speed and efficiency with which the M3 Max MacBook Pro can execute tasks, particularly those related to AI, image generation, and 3D rendering. The reviewer assesses the performance of the new machine against the previous M1 model to determine the value and benefits of the upgrade.

💡Upgrade

An upgrade in this context refers to the process of enhancing or improving a product or system, typically by adding new features or increasing capabilities. The reviewer considers the M3 Max MacBook Pro an upgrade from the previous M1 model, discussing the improvements in performance, particularly in AI tasks and 3D rendering, and the new features like hardware ray tracing.

Highlights

The 16-in M3 Max MacBook Pro is targeted towards creators and consumers of video, 3D, and AI, offering significant computing power.

The M3 Max MacBook Pro starts at $2,499 with a 12-core CPU and 18-core GPU, while the 16-inch model starts at $2,999.

The reviewed M3 Max MacBook Pro配置 includes a top-of-the-line M3 Max chip with a 16-core CPU, 40-core GPU, 64GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD.

Despite its high cost, the M3 Max MacBook Pro is recommended for those seeking a portable Mac that can handle complex computing tasks efficiently.

The M3 Max chip's performance in AI tasks, such as using the private llm app, is impressive, with more detailed responses compared to the M1.

The M3 Max MacBook Pro's initial response times and token generation for AI tasks are faster than the M1 model.

For users considering purchasing a MacBook Pro, it is recommended to get at least 64GB of RAM to fully utilize the capabilities of the M3 Max chip.

Both the M3 Max and M1 MacBook Pros produced a high-pitch whine when running AI models, which is unusual but not harmful.

In image generation tasks using the Draw Things app, the M3 Max MacBook Pro performs significantly better than the M1, with faster generation times.

The M3 Max chip's performance in image generation is closer to that of a PC with an RTX 3080 dedicated GPU.

The M3 Max MacBook Pro's hardware ray tracing support offers a significant improvement over the M1, making a night and day difference in rendering scenes.

The M3 Max MacBook Pro's hardware ray tracing is almost as fast as a PC with an RTX 380, and in some cases, even faster.

The M3 Max chip's support for hardware ray tracing makes it a game-changer for creative professionals, enabling more efficient workflows.

When using the neural engine for AI tasks, the M3 Max MacBook Pro's performance is slower than using just the CPU and GPU.

In 3D rendering tasks, the M3 Max MacBook Pro with hardware ray tracing outperforms the M1 significantly, offering faster render times and quieter operation.

Overall, the M3 Max MacBook Pro is a fantastic upgrade for users who require powerful computing capabilities for creative tasks.

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