Apple M2 Max
Rated: 7/10
Apple M2 Ultra
Rated: 9/10
Pros And Cons
| CPU | Pros | Cons |
| Apple M2 Ultra | ✅ Better Performance ✅ Better Core Count | ❌ Accessories sold separately ❌ Pricey |
| Apple M2 Max | ✅ Better Port Selection ✅ Lower Price | ❌Lower Memory Support ❌Lower Cores |
- In our Apple M2 Ultra vs Apple M2 Max comparison, although sharing the same generation, the M2 Ultra shines with an impressive 134 billion transistors, doubling the count of the M2 Max.
- With a massive 24-core CPU, the M2 Ultra offers a substantial boost in our benchmarks, making it ideal for complex multitasking and resource-intensive workloads.
- The M2 Ultra’s 76-core GPU outshines the M2 Max by 38 cores, delivering unparalleled graphics processing power for tasks such as video rendering and photo editing being tested by our team.
- We see the M2 Ultra stand out as it surpasses the M2 Max in most benchmark scores showcasing a 0.34% lead on average in single-core and 53.2% lead on average in multi-core benchmarks, demonstrating its superior performance.
Comparison Table
| Key Specifications | M2 Max | M2 Ultra |
| Release Date | January 17, 2023 | May 5, 2023 |
| Instruction Set | ARMv8 | ARMv8 |
| Integrated GPU | Apple M2 Max GPU (38-core) | Apple M2 Max GPU (76-core) |
| Performance Cores | 8 | 16 |
| Performance Threads | 8 | 16 |
| Total Cores | 12 | 24 |
| Total Threads | 12 | 24 |
| L1 Cache | 192K (per core) | 192K (per core) |
| L2 Cache | 24MB (shared) | 64MB (shared) |
| Transistors | 67 billion | 134 billion |
| Socket | Apple M-Socket | Apple M-Socket |
| Cuda Cores | 4864 | TBD |
| ECC Support | No | No |
| Max. Memory Bandwidth | 409.6 GB/s | 800 GB/s |
Architectural Differences
- Process Node: Pioneering technological frontiers, the M2 Max and M2 Ultra integrate the cutting-edge 5nm fabrication process, reflecting Apple’s relentless pursuit of innovation and performance excellence.
- Clock Speed: Elevating the user experience to new heights, both the Apple M2 Max and M2 Ultra impress with identical speed prowess, sporting a formidable base clock of 2.4 GHz and a turbocharged boost clock of 3.5 GHz.
- Memory Support Variation: Catering to power users and resource-intensive workflows, the M2 Ultra takes the lead with up to 192GB LPDDR5-6400, surpassing the M2 Max’s commendable support of up to 96GB LPDDR5-6400
- TDP: Demonstrating engineering brilliance, the M2 Max exhibits its thermal efficiency with a lower TDP of 30W. On the other hand, the M2 Ultra demands a higher 60W TDP, catering to users who prioritize raw performance.
In the realm of advanced computing, the Apple M2 Ultra vs Apple M2 Max have emerged as formidable contenders. As we delve into their specifications and explore the depths of their technological prowess, we aim to discern how these chips fare against each other and whether Apple’s claim of the M2 Ultra holding twice the power of the M2 Max holds true or not. Let’s get it started.
Performance Benchmarks
To truly understand the capabilities of the M2 Ultra and M2 Max chips, we delve into various performance benchmarks. These tests provide insights into their single-core and multi-core processing power, shedding light on their real-world performance in demanding tasks.
Let’s explore how these chips stack up against each other and witness their prowess in benchmark assessments.
Cinebench R23 (Single-Core)
- The M2 Ultra edged slightly ahead of the M2 Max in our Cinebench R23 Single-Core test, with a 1% performance lead, achieving a score of 1685 compared to the M2 Max’s score of 1672.
Cinebench R23 (Multi-Core)
- In the Cinebench R23 Multi-Core tested by our team, the M2 Ultra showcased a significant 80% performance increase over the M2 Max, scoring 27206 compared to the M2 Max’s score of 15139.
Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)
- The M2 Ultra and M2 Max delivered the same performance in the Geekbench 6 Single-Core test, both achieving a score of 2689.
Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)
- Surging ahead in the Geekbench 6 Multi-Core test, the M2 Ultra exhibited a 40% performance advantage, scoring 21450 compared to the M2 Max’s score of 14207.
Geekbench 5 (Single-Core)
- The M2 Ultra and M2 Max showcased similar performance in the Geekbench 5 Single-Core test, with the M2 Ultra achieving a score of 1958 and the M2 Max showing a slight 2% advantage with a score of 1993.
Geekbench 5 (Multi-Core)
- In our Geekbench 5 Multi-Core test, the M2 Ultra demonstrated an impressive 86% performance advantage, scoring 27735 compared to the M2 Max’s score of 14931.
Apple M2 Ultra vs Apple M2 Max: Which Chip Is Suitable For Your Needs?
Apple M2 Ultra: The M2 Ultra shines with a doubled transistor count, boasting an impressive 134 billion transistors and a 24-core CPU, while we experienced that the M2 Max falls slightly behind. This abundance of transistors improves the performance of the chip tremendously compared to its peers.
Apple M2 Max: As for the M2 Max, we can assess clearly that the M2 Max lags behind the M2 Ultra, which boasts an astonishing 76-core GPU, outshining the M2 Max’s GPU core count by 38 cores. In our opinion, this means unparalleled graphics processing power especially when it comes to video rendering, photo editing, and image upscaling.
Concluding, we suggest that the M2 Ultra easily beats the M2 Max in most benchmark scores. However, it is still up to the users to assess their needs, as the latter does provide an attractive price decrease compared to the premium variant.
FAQs
The M2 Ultra boasts a doubled transistor count, a colossal 24-core CPU, and an astonishing 76-core GPU compared to the M2 Max.
For demanding tasks like video editing and gaming, the M2 Ultra is the better choice due to its higher transistor count, more CPU cores, and superior GPU
The M2 Ultra offers superior performance but comes at a higher price, so depending on your budget and specific requirements, evaluate your prefrrence
More From Apple M2 Ultra:
More From Apple M2 Max:
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