Apple M2 vs Apple M1 Ultra

Processor comparisons 21-10-2022

   Let's say you are thinking about choosing a CPU, you will be able to make a decision after reading the full tests Apple M2 vs Apple M1 Ultra and decide which is better for games or normal use for video editing, streaming, rendering, programming, machine learning. Here is all information from various benchmarks or real streaming and video editing tests. A step-by-step analysis of all the specifications, so that it can be easier to read, is summarized in the table.
   From the video comparison, you can get the results of parallel examination in special testing software such as GeekBench 6, 5.2, WPrime, SuperPi, MATLAB, Prime95, PCMark 10, Cinebench 23 (20, 15), UserBenchmark, VeraCrypt, 7zip, Blender, World of Tanks enCore Benchmark, AIDA64, Blender, 3DMark, DaVinci Resolve Studio, Furmark, Handbrake, RealBench, PassMark, Dolphin Emulator, Gears 5.
   And how good the processors are in games:

Watch Dogs Legion
Apex Legends
Overwatch
Rainbow Six Siege
Grand Theft Auto V
Fortnite
Red Dead Redemption 2
Halo Infinite
Assassin's Creed Valhalla
Borderlands 3
Cyberpunk 2077
Death Stranding
DOOM: Eternal
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Warzone
Fallout 76
Valorant
Last Man Standing
World of Warcraft: Shadowlands
Valheim

After reading the results of joint benchmarks and videos, you already be able to figure out which CPU is better to buy for gaming Apple M1 Ultra or Apple M2.

Summary benchmark results

As a percentage of the maximum value based on a sample from the entire base of all processors
Processor Benchmark

59%

M1 Ultra

68%

This shows the performance of the processors in single-threaded and multi-threaded mode. In this comparison, M1 Ultra is 13% better than M2. The data source is several popular tests. Detailed information can be found below.

Gaming performance
Summary result of all game benchmarks.

55%

M1 Ultra

64%

For the maximum in this test, the results of the most powerful processor in the site database are taken. And it is clear that this is a server processor, on which no one will play games. Because this processor costs several tens of thousands of dollars. Therefore, if you think that the selected CPU has a little game result, look at the FPS that it produces in real games in the final table below.
List of other games in which CPU comparisons were performed: Hitman 3, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Battlefield V, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS GO), Microsoft Flight Simulator, League of Legends (LOL), DOTA 2A, Monster Hunter World, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG), Forza Horizon 4, Horizon Zero Dawn, Half-Life: Alyx, Resident Evil 7 Biohazard, Ghostrunner, Metro Exodus, NBA 2K20, Control, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.

Gaming benchmark

Fortnite	97.4	113.1
Valorant	110.7	128.6
Cyberpunk 2077	62.0	72.0
Apex Legends	104.1	120.8
Call of Duty Warzone	83.0	96.4
Overwatch	89.7	104.1
Red Dead Redemption 2	76.4	88.7
DOOM Eternal	55.4	64.3
Warzone	86.4	100.3
Assassin's Creed	93.0	108.0
Valheim	91.9	106.7

The numbers in this table indicate the maximum FPS that was received on the device with the corresponding processor. Depending on the configuration of the computer (RAM size and Video Card) and graphics quality settings (Ultra, Medium, Normal), the results may differ quite significantly. We recommend that you better study the results of the Cinebench, GeekBench and Passmark becnmarks.
The tested computers not only did they have different amounts of RAM and different video cards. But users also tested them at different screen resolutions: FullHD, 2K or 4K. So the game benchmark data is approximate. But all video cards met the average system requirements of games. You will get more accurate information about how powerful the processor will be in games, if you compare it in one assembly with the video card that is installed in your computer.

Power consumption

535%

M1 Ultra

272%

To make a final decision on which processor is better, you should also consider the generation of its core. The newer the processor generation, the better its performance in games and benchmarks, as well as its energy efficiency. In this case the M2 is more energy efficient than the M1 Ultra since it has less power consumption: 12W vs. 20W. Power consumption is especially important for laptops. And TDP should be taken into account when choosing a processor cooling system. You need to buy a cooler that has the TDP data specified in the specification was greater than the TDP of the compared processor.

Software benchmarks

For example you want to use the processor not only for gaming, but also for programming, machine learning, video editing or video rendering, streaming, then the main parameter for you is its performance in multi-threaded mode. In this mode, to reach maximum performance, the processor includes all cores and threads that it has. You will learn this data from the benchmark tables below. Before you take into account the data from these tests, be sure to make sure that the program that you are going to use on your computer can work in multi-threaded mode. Since there are still many programs that use only one core to run, and all the advantages of multi-core mode turns out to be unnecessary.

Cinebench 23, 20 an 15
The results of this benchmark show Single-threaded and Multi-threaded CPU performance

	Apple M2	Apple M1 Ultra
Cinbench 15 Single-core	298	555
Cinbench 15 Multi-core	1586	3252
Cinbench 20 Single-core	558	1103
Cinbench 20 Multi-core	2699	5583
Cinbench 23 Single-core	2057	4240
Cinbench 23 Multi-core	10520	21959

Passmark
This popular benchmark displays Multi-threaded and Single-threaded processor performance

	Apple M2	Apple M1 Ultra
Single-Core	4095	9611
Multi-Core	29665	62194

GeekBench 6, 5.2
This benchmark shows Multi-threaded and Single-threaded processor performance

	Apple M2	Apple M1 Ultra
Single-Core	1929	1637
Multi-Core	9243	24642

Comparison of specifications

In the specification comparison table, the most helpful will be the the possibility of overclocking it and release date of the processor. The later the processor is released, the longer it will last in your computer. And the easier it will be to upgrade the system later. The same can be said about overclocking. When the processor can be overclocked, increasing its performance, then it will continue to maintain maximum FPS even in the newest games. The savings are obvious! It turns out that you do not need to buy a new CPU to enjoy the games any longer.

	Apple M2	Apple M1 Ultra
Announcement date	October 18, 2022	April 09, 2022
Type	Laptop	Desktop
Socket	M2	M1
Core name	4 x Avalanche and 4 x Blizzard	16x Firestorm and 4x Icestorm
Architecture	hybrid (big.LITTLE)	hybrid (big.LITTLE)
Generation	2	1
Turbo Frequency
Frequency	3.49 MHz	3.2 MHz
Cores	8	20
Threads	8	20
Bus rate
Bit	64	64
Lithography	5 nm	5 nm
Transistors count	20000 millions	114000 millions
Power consumption (TDP)	12 W	20 W
Memory type	LPDDR5 - Up to 6400MHz	LPDDR5 - Up to 6400MHz
Max. Memory		128 Gb
Memory Frequency	2400	6400
Memory bandwidth		818 GByte/s
L1 cache	2MB	4MB
L2 cache	12MB	48MB
L3 cache	16MB	96MB
Overclocking	No	No
Supports ECC	No	No
Part number		APL1W06

In this comparison block, you should pay attention to the differences in clock speed and the number of cores. Here M2 is 8% better than M1 Ultra in terms of CPU frequency. Another difference is that M1 Ultra has 12 more core than M2. Also keep in mind that high CPU frequency affects battery life through power consumption (relevant for laptops).

Result:
The number of parameters for which Apple M2 is better: 5
The number of parameters for which Apple M1 Ultra is better: 29
However, it should be realized that all the figures that you have looked at here do not mean that you should be guided entirely by them and trust a simple comparison of these numbers. Better to watch the testing video and read the opinion of real owners of Apple M2 and Apple M1 Ultra before making a selection which of the CPUs to buy for gaming.

Apple M2 - all data

• Cinebench r15 score
• Cinebench r20 score
• Cinebench r23 score
• GeekBench 6, 5.2 score

• Apple M2 specs and review.

Apple M1 Ultra - all data

• Cinebench r15 score
• Cinebench r20 score
• Cinebench r23 score
• GeekBench 6, 5.2 score

• Apple M1 Ultra specs and review.