Apple M2 Max (30-core GPU) vs Apple M1 Ultra (48-core GPU)

Comparative analysis of Apple M2 Max (30-core GPU) and Apple M1 Ultra (48-core GPU) processors for all known characteristics in the following categories: Essentials, Performance, Memory, Graphics. Benchmark processor performance analysis: PassMark - Single thread mark, PassMark - CPU mark.

Apple M2 Max (30-core GPU)

Apple M1 Ultra (48-core GPU)

Differences

Reasons to consider the Apple M2 Max (30-core GPU)

CPU is newer: launch date 9 month(s) later
Around 14% higher clock speed: 3.667 GHz vs 3.228 GHz
4.5x more L2 cache, more data can be stored in the L2 cache for quick access later
Around 7% better performance in PassMark - Single thread mark: 4144 vs 3869

Specifications (specs)
Launch date	17 Jan 2023 vs 18 Mar 2022
Maximum frequency	3.667 GHz vs 3.228 GHz
L2 cache	36 MB vs 8 MB
Benchmarks
PassMark - Single thread mark	4144 vs 3869

Reasons to consider the Apple M1 Ultra (48-core GPU)

8 more cores, run more applications at once: 20 vs 12
8 more threads: 20 vs 12
Around 67% more L1 cache; more data can be stored in the L1 cache for quick access later
Around 33% higher maximum memory size: 128 GB vs 96 GB
Around 55% better performance in PassMark - CPU mark: 41258 vs 26694

Specifications (specs)
Number of cores	20 vs 12
Number of threads	20 vs 12
L1 cache	192 KB instruction + 128 KB data (per core) vs 192 KB instruction + 128 KB data (per core)
Maximum memory size	128 GB vs 96 GB
Benchmarks
PassMark - CPU mark	41258 vs 26694

Compare benchmarks

CPU 1: Apple M2 Max (30-core GPU)
CPU 2: Apple M1 Ultra (48-core GPU)

PassMark - Single thread mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

4144

3869

PassMark - CPU mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

26694

41258

Name	Apple M2 Max (30-core GPU)	Apple M1 Ultra (48-core GPU)
PassMark - Single thread mark	4144	3869
PassMark - CPU mark	26694	41258

Compare specifications (specs)

	Apple M2 Max (30-core GPU)	Apple M1 Ultra (48-core GPU)
Essentials
Architecture codename	Avalanche/Blizzard	Firestorm/Icestorm
Launch date	17 Jan 2023	18 Mar 2022
OS Support	macOS Ventura 13.2	macOS Monterey 12.3, macOS Ventura 13.3
Place in performance rating	156	119
Processor Number	T6021	APL1W06
Vertical segment		Laptop
Performance
Base frequency	2.424 GHz	2.064 GHz
L1 cache	192 KB instruction + 128 KB data (per core)	192 KB instruction + 128 KB data (per core)
L2 cache	36 MB	8 MB
Manufacturing process technology	5 nm	5 nm
Maximum frequency	3.667 GHz	3.228 GHz
Number of cores	12	20
Number of threads	12	20
Transistor count	67 billion	114 billion
Memory
Max memory channels	4	8
Maximum memory bandwidth	409.6 GB/s	819.2 GB/s
Maximum memory size	96 GB	128 GB
Supported memory types	LPDDR5-6400	LPDDR5-6400
Graphics
Execution Units	120	192
Graphics base frequency	1398 MHz	1296 MHz
iGPU core count	30	48