Apple M1 Pro GPU vs Apple M2 GPU (8 Core)

Updated Sep 2026 · Scored by the Let’s Compare Data Engine · How we score

For most buyers the Apple M1 Pro GPU is the better pick — it scores 38/100 to the Apple M2 GPU (8 Core)'s 31, leading on Memory and Theoretical Performance. Choose the Apple M2 GPU (8 Core) instead if you want to spend less.

Apple M1 Pro GPU has no published G3D Mark result, so it scores lower.
Apple M2 GPU (8 Core) has no published G3D Mark result, so it scores lower.

Verdict

Our overall take, at a glance

Apple M1 Pro GPU leads overall

Apple M1 Pro GPU

Apple M2 GPU (8 Core)

Why it stands out

Memory Capacity: 16 GB (100% more)
Memory Bandwidth: 200 GB/s (100% more)
Theoretical Performance Performance (FP16): 10.6 TFLOPS (194% more)

Winner by category for Apple M1 Pro GPU vs Apple M2 GPU (8 Core)
Category	Apple M1 Pro GPU	Apple M2 GPU (8 Core)	Winner
Core Specifications	50	50	Tie
Memory	78	42	Apple M1 Pro GPU
API Support	50	50	Tie
Theoretical Performance	52	33	Apple M1 Pro GPU
Benchmark	20	20	Tie
Miscellaneous	32	32	Tie

In-depth analysisAI

AI-generated from the cited sources — may be incomplete or inaccurate; verify important details before deciding · generated Sep 2026.

Apple M1 Pro GPU

The Apple M1 Pro GPU is an integrated graphics processor built on a 5-nanometer lithography process for mobile computing platforms. Designed for creators and power users, it utilizes a unified memory architecture with 16 gigabytes of shared memory and a 200 gigabytes-per-second bandwidth while operating under a conservative 40-watt maximum power limit.

Best for On-the-go video editing and digital content creation requiring steady…Best for Creative workloads that benefit from high-bandwidth, low-latency shared system…

Pros

Efficient power management with a modest 40-watt peak power draw
High-speed unified memory design providing up to 200 GB/s of bandwidth
Capable theoretical compute performance reaching up to 10.6 TFLOPS in FP16 calculations

Cons

Shared memory pool means graphics tasks must share the 16 GB capacity with general system operations
Limited to older graphics API standards, supporting OpenGL 4.1 and Vulkan 1.2

Apple M2 GPU (8 Core)

The Apple M2 GPU is an integrated component within the M2 System on a Chip, designed for Mac notebooks and various other Apple devices. It provides powerful graphical processing to handle tasks from everyday computing to specialized content creation. This chip is suitable for users who require efficient performance combined with modern AI capabilities.

Best for Creative ProfessionalsBest for General ProductivityBest for Media Consumption

Pros

Offers significant gains in graphics capability compared to its predecessor (M1), boasting up to 35% GPU improvement (Source 1).
Provides professional-grade graphical processing and compute power for creative workflows. The core count options can scale from 8 to a higher number (Source 1).
Integrated unified memory architecture allows all components, including the GPU, consistent access to fast LPDDR5 RAM (Source 1).

Cons

Base model specifications are less powerful than specialized versions like the M2 Max or Ultra (Source 1).
The technology is part of a multi-series chip family, meaning higher performance options exist for extreme professional workloads.

Value for Money

Which is the better deal for the price

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Apple M1 Pro GPU

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Apple M2 GPU (8 Core)

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Detailed Specifications

The full spec sheet, side by side

Core Specifications

Feature	Apple M1 Pro GPU	Apple M2 GPU (8 Core)
Base Frequency	1.296 GHz	N/A
Maximum Frequency	1.296 GHz	N/A
Lithography Process	5 nm	5 nm

Memory

Feature	Apple M1 Pro GPU	Apple M2 GPU (8 Core)
Technology
Bus Width	256 bit	N/A
Bandwidth	200 GB/s100% more	100 GB/s
Is Shared	Yes	Yes

API Support

Feature	Apple M1 Pro GPU	Apple M2 GPU (8 Core)
DirectX Version	N/A	N/A
OpenGL Version	4.1	4.1
Vulkan Version	1.2	1.2
OpenCL Version	1.2	3

Theoretical Performance

Feature	Apple M1 Pro GPU	Apple M2 GPU (8 Core)
Pixel Rate	82.94 GP/s	108.8 GP/s
Texture Rate	165.9 GT/s	108.8 GT/s
Performance (FP16)	10.6 TFLOPS194% more	3.6 TFLOPS
Performance (FP32)	5.3 TFLOPS47% more	3.6 TFLOPS
Performance (FP64)	N/A	N/A

Miscellaneous

Feature	Apple M1 Pro GPU	Apple M2 GPU (8 Core)
Release Date	October 26, 2021	June 6, 2022
Platform

Specification Note

Specifications are compiled from official manufacturer data and other reliable internet sources. Some features may vary by region or model configuration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Apple M1 Pro GPU vs Apple M2 GPU (8 Core) comparison

They are closely matched: Apple M1 Pro GPU scores 33/100 and Apple M2 GPU (8 Core) scores 32/100 in our overall comparison — within 1 point. Neither is a clear winner overall, so the decision comes down to the specific features and price that matter most to you.

Apple M1 Pro GPU and Apple M2 GPU (8 Core) are compared side by side above across every spec in the gpus category — including performance, features and design — each scored 0–100 so you can see exactly where one leads the other. Our overall scores are 33/100 for Apple M1 Pro GPU and 32/100 for Apple M2 GPU (8 Core).

It's close — Apple M1 Pro GPU (33/100) and Apple M2 GPU (8 Core) (32/100) score almost the same. Pick based on price and the individual specs that matter most to you; the comparison above shows where each one pulls ahead.