Based on our overall comparison score, Apple M1 Ultra GPU rates higher at 44/100 versus 38/100 for Apple M5 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 vs Apple M5 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 42/100 to the Apple M5 Max GPU's 34, leading on Memory and API Support. Choose the Apple M5 Max GPU instead if core specifications matters most to you, where it comes out ahead.
- Apple M5 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
Key takeaways
- Apple M1 Ultra GPU leads Apple M5 Max GPU overall by 8 points (42 vs 34 out of 100).
- Apple M1 Ultra GPU stands out on Memory Bandwidth: 800 GB/s (30% more).
Apple M1 Ultra GPU leads overall
Apple M1 Ultra GPU
42
Apple M5 Max GPU
34
Why it stands out
- Memory Bandwidth: 800 GB/s (30% more)
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
Apple M5 Max GPU
The Apple M5 Max GPU is an integrated graphics processor designed for professional workstations, featuring either 32 or 40 cores. Built on a 3-nanometer process, it utilizes a unified memory pool of up to 128 GB to deliver high-bandwidth graphics performance for demanding computing tasks.
Best for ProRes video editing and dual-stream hardware-accelerated encodingBest for Local AI model execution and developer programming using Tensor APIs
Pros
- Features a dedicated Neural Accelerator inside each GPU core for enhanced on-device AI processing
- Provides massive memory bandwidth of up to 614 GB/s on the highest-tier configuration
- Includes hardware-accelerated ray tracing and dual media engines for faster video encoding
Cons
- The maximum memory bandwidth of 614 GB/s is restricted to the 40-core variant, with the 32-core version capped at 460 GB/s
Value for Money
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Apple M1 Ultra GPU
Apple M5 Max GPU
Review Videos
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Detailed Specifications
The full spec sheet, side by side
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Apple M1 Ultra GPU vs Apple M5 Max GPU comparison
Apple M1 Ultra GPU and Apple M5 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 M5 Max GPU.
If you want the higher-rated gpus option overall, Apple M1 Ultra GPU (44/100) edges out Apple M5 Max GPU (38/100). But if Apple M5 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.
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