YouTuber MaxTech modified an M3 MacBook Air with a special cooler, elevating it to levels expected from an M4 MacBook Air. He also claimed to achieve higher performance than the more expensive M3 MacBook Pro model. Here are the details and costs of the modification…
M3 MacBook Air reaches speeds expected from M4! Surpasses M3 MacBook Pro
MaxTech enhanced the M3 MacBook Air’s performance by up to 50% in some cases using the SVALT brand’s DHCR cooling station and thermal pads. Apple’s fast M3 MacBook Air model is known to heat up to 114 degrees, leading to performance drops.
The cooling station used in the test unlocked an unexpected performance boost. SVALT’s DHCR cooling station keeps the MacBook upright while cooling its exterior, thereby cooling the M3 chip from the inside.
In the 3DMark Wildlife test, this cooling method increased the MacBook Air’s performance from 4,198 points to 7,309 points in closed-screen mode. This score is only 800 points below the M3 MacBook Air’s score in non-heating conditions and 600 points below the M3 MacBook Pro. But it didn’t stop there.
MaxTech managed to increase the continuous performance of the MacBook Air to 8,062 points using thermal pads between the internal cooling solution and the external chassis, surpassing the MacBook Pro. This result shows the significant impact of the MacBook Air’s different cooling solution compared to the MacBook Pro.
The cost of these modifications is stated as $279. SVALT’s DHCR cooling station is a practical solution for those who primarily use their M3 MacBook Air on a desk and is also suitable for connected screen usage.
It enables users to enhance their device’s performance without the need to modify their MacBook. MaxTech’s discovery highlights how different the M3 MacBook Air’s cooling solution is from the M3 MacBook Pro and the impact of this difference on continuous performance.
These modifications could help M3 MacBook Air users reclaim lost performance and make the most of their devices. What do you think about this performance boost? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.