Based on our overall comparison score, Apple M1 Ultra GPU rates higher at 77/100 versus 48/100 for Apple M2 GPU (8 Core) — a 29-point lead. Apple M1 Ultra GPU is the stronger overall pick, though the right choice still depends on which specs matter most to you; the full spec table above breaks down every difference.
Apple M1 Ultra GPU vs Apple M2 GPU (8 Core)
Verdict
Our overall take, at a glance
Key takeaways
- Apple M1 Ultra GPU leads Apple M2 GPU (8 Core) overall by 40 points (73 vs 33 out of 100).
- Apple M1 Ultra GPU stands out on Core Specifications Maximum Power: 120 W, Memory Capacity: 64 GB, Memory Technology: Unified.
Apple M1 Ultra GPU leads overall
Apple M1 Ultra GPU
73
Apple M2 GPU (8 Core)
33
Why it stands out
- Core Specifications Maximum Power: 120 W
- Memory Capacity: 64 GB
- Memory Technology: Unified
In-depth analysisAI
AI-generated from the cited sources — may be incomplete or inaccurate; verify important details before deciding · generated Aug 2026.
Apple M1 Ultra GPU
The Apple M1 Ultra GPU is a high-end integrated graphics processor designed for workstation-class Mac desktops. Built by connecting two M1 Max chips via Apple's proprietary UltraFusion interconnect, the processor scales up to 64 GPU cores and shares up to 128 GB of unified LPDDR5X memory. It is engineered for demanding creative tasks that require massive memory bandwidth and processing parallelism.
Best for Memory-intensive professional workloads such as high-resolution video editing anBest for Workstation users seeking high power-efficiency and unified system architecture
Pros
- Features an UltraFusion interconnect that delivers up to 2.5 TB/s of low-latency bandwidth between the dual-die setup
- Provides access to a massive unified memory pool of up to 128 GB, surpassing the VRAM limit of typical discrete graphics cards
- Highly efficient design built on TSMC's 5 nm manufacturing process with 114 billion total transistors
Cons
- Underperforms compared to top-tier dedicated desktop graphics cards like the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 in standard gaming and compute benchmarks
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
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Apple M1 Ultra GPU
Apple M2 GPU (8 Core)
Performance
Higher benchmark score = faster
Apple M1 Ultra GPU20,500
Apple M2 GPU (8 Core)5,689
Benchmark score — a measured indicator of raw performance, not a guarantee of real-world speed.
Review Videos
Hand-picked expert reviews for each product
Detailed Specifications
The full spec sheet, side by side
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Apple M1 Ultra GPU vs Apple M2 GPU (8 Core) comparison
Apple M1 Ultra 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 77/100 for Apple M1 Ultra GPU and 48/100 for Apple M2 GPU (8 Core).
If you want the higher-rated gpus option overall, Apple M1 Ultra GPU (77/100) edges out Apple M2 GPU (8 Core) (48/100). But if Apple M2 GPU (8 Core) is cheaper or stronger on the specific specs you care about, it can still be the better buy — use the spec table and strengths profile above to decide.
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