Apple M1 Ultra GPU vs Apple M2 Max GPU

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

For most buyers the Apple M1 Ultra GPU is the better pick — it scores 44/100 to the Apple M2 Max GPU's 32, leading on Memory and API Support. Choose the Apple M2 Max GPU instead if you want to spend less.

Apple M2 Max GPU has no published G3D Mark result, so it scores lower.
Apple M1 Ultra GPU has no published G3D Mark result, so it scores lower.

Verdict

Our overall take, at a glance

Apple M1 Ultra GPU leads overall

Apple M1 Ultra GPU

Apple M2 Max GPU

Why it stands out

Memory Capacity: 64 GB (100% more)
Memory Bandwidth: 800 GB/s (100% more)
Theoretical Performance Performance (FP32): 21.2 TFLOPS (56% more)

Winner by category for Apple M1 Ultra GPU vs Apple M2 Max GPU
Category	Apple M1 Ultra GPU	Apple M2 Max GPU	Winner
Core Specifications	50	50	Tie
Memory	75	40	Apple M1 Ultra GPU
API Support	100	0	Apple M1 Ultra GPU
Theoretical Performance	73	48	Apple M1 Ultra 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 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…Best 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

Source

Apple M1 - WikipediaProvided architectural specifications of the M1 Ultra chip, including GPU core counts, memory bandwidth, fabrication process, and transistor volume.

Video — reviews used (1)

Provided comparative real-world performance observations showing the GPU trailing the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 in compute and gaming benchmarks.

Generated Aug 5, 2026

Apple M2 Max GPU

The Apple M2 Max GPU is a high-performance integrated graphics processor built into the M2 Max system-on-a-chip, designed primarily for power-user notebooks and compact desktops. It features up to 38 GPU cores and delivers up to 13.6 TFLOPS of FP32 floating-point performance. Utilizing a unified design, it shares high-speed LPDDR5 system memory directly across the system to handle demanding visual workloads.

Best for On-the-go high-resolution video rendering and color gradingBest for Mobile 3D asset creation and complex visual effects work

Pros

Delivers high-end graphics performance with up to 38 GPU cores and 4864 arithmetic logic units
Provides up to 13.6 TFLOPS of single-precision floating-point capability
Features a dedicated 48 MB last-level cache to streamline data transfer and reduce latency
Leverages efficient unified memory access to eliminate traditional bottlenecks between CPU and graphics

Cons

Integrated system-on-a-package design prevents any post-purchase upgrades to GPU cores or memory
Provides lower performance limits than the desktop-focused M2 Ultra, which doubles the graphics hardware

Value for Money

Which is the better deal for the price

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Apple M1 Ultra GPU

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Apple M2 Max GPU

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Review Videos

Hand-picked expert reviews for each product

Detailed Specifications

The full spec sheet, side by side

Core Specifications

Feature	Apple M1 Ultra GPU	Apple M2 Max GPU
Base Frequency	1.296 GHz	N/A
Maximum Frequency	1.296 GHz	1.398 GHz
Lithography Process	5 nm	5 nm

Memory

Feature	Apple M1 Ultra GPU	Apple M2 Max GPU
Technology
Bus Width	N/A	512 bit
Bandwidth	800 GB/s100% more	400 GB/s
Is Shared	Yes	Yes

API Support

Feature	Apple M1 Ultra GPU	Apple M2 Max GPU
DirectX Version	N/A	N/A
OpenGL Version	4.1	N/A
Vulkan Version	1.2	N/A
OpenCL Version	1.2	N/A

Theoretical Performance

Feature	Apple M1 Ultra GPU	Apple M2 Max GPU
Pixel Rate	165.9 GP/s	N/A
Texture Rate	663.6 GT/s	N/A
Performance (FP16)	42.4 TFLOPS	N/A
Performance (FP32)	21.2 TFLOPS56% more	13.6 TFLOPS
Performance (FP64)	N/A	N/A

Miscellaneous

Feature	Apple M1 Ultra GPU	Apple M2 Max GPU
Release Date	March 18, 2022	N/A
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 Ultra GPU vs Apple M2 Max GPU comparison

Based on our overall comparison score, Apple M1 Ultra GPU rates higher at 44/100 versus 38/100 for Apple M2 Max GPU — a 6-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 and Apple M2 Max GPU 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 44/100 for Apple M1 Ultra GPU and 38/100 for Apple M2 Max GPU.

If you want the higher-rated gpus option overall, Apple M1 Ultra GPU (44/100) edges out Apple M2 Max GPU (38/100). But if Apple M2 Max GPU 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.