Apple Scrapped M3 Extreme Chip With Double M3 Ultra Power

Apple developed an M3 Extreme chip that was twice as powerful as the M3 Ultra but ultimately canceled the project, according to reports.

The M3 Extreme chip was designed to feature double the CPU and GPU cores of the M3 Ultra, offering a substantial performance upgrade. This high-end chip was intended for Apple's professional Mac lineup, including the Mac Pro and potentially the Mac Studio.

Sources indicate that Apple engineers completed two iterations of the M3 Extreme chip. However, the company decided against releasing it, opting instead to proceed with the M3 Ultra, which was launched in the 2023 Mac Pro and Mac Studio. The reasons behind the cancellation remain undisclosed, but it suggests a strategic shift in Apple's silicon development roadmap for its professional-grade machines.

The M3 Ultra chip, currently the top-tier offering in the M3 family, provides significant processing power for demanding tasks. The existence of a more powerful M3 Extreme chip, even if only in development, highlights Apple's ongoing efforts to push the boundaries of its in-house silicon capabilities for its most demanding users.