In the ever-evolving world of computer technology, it's no secret that Apple has been making waves with its custom-designed silicon. The company's latest offering, the 24-core M2 Ultra processor, has landed on PassMark, and the results are quite impressive. This ARM-based system-on-a-chip (SoC) is raising eyebrows and turning heads, putting Apple in direct competition with the likes of AMD and Intel.
The initial benchmark tests conducted on PassMark demonstrate that the 24-core M2 Ultra is no slouch. With a single-thread mark of 3,868, it proves to be a worthy contender among its peers. But it's the average CPU Mark of 47,589 that truly showcases its potential. This score places the M2 Ultra alongside heavyweights such as the AMD EPYC and Intel Xeon server processors, as well as performance chips like the Core i7-13700K and Ryzen 9 7845HX. That's quite the company to keep!
Now, let's not forget that the M2 Ultra is not just an incremental upgrade over its predecessor, the 20-core Apple M1 Ultra. It boasts a core-count advantage, giving it a +16.24% leap in CPU Mark performance. Additionally, the M2 Ultra flaunts an impressive GPU core count ranging from 60 to 76, surpassing the M1 Ultra's 48 to 64. Moreover, its transistor count stands at a staggering 134 billion, allowing for lightning-fast and efficient calculations.
One might argue that comparing Apple silicon to the established x86 processors is like comparing apples to oranges (pun intended). However, the M2 Ultra's performance against the Intel Core i7-13700K and AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX is undeniably impressive. It's a classic David versus Goliath scenario, with the efficient ARM processor taking on two power-hungry x86 processors and holding its own. Of course, it's important to note that the Intel Raptor Lake desktop part only features eight cores, and the AMD Zen 4 mobile chip has a modest 12 cores. Nevertheless, this comparison illustrates how far Apple has come in just over two-and-a-half years with its M-series silicon.
Looking ahead, the 2023 Mac Studio and 2023 Mac Pro workstation computers will be the lucky recipients of the M2 Ultra SoC. These machines are set to benefit greatly from the performance boost provided by this powerhouse of a processor. With its impressive core count, enhanced GPU capabilities, and lightning-fast calculations, the M2 Ultra is poised to deliver workstation-level performance that will leave professionals drooling.
So, what does all of this mean for the future of Apple silicon? Well, it's clear that Apple is not content with resting on its laurels. The M2 Ultra's performance on PassMark indicates that Apple is ready to take on the big players in the industry. With each iteration of their custom-designed silicon, Apple continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in the realm of performance and efficiency.
In conclusion, the 24-core M2 Ultra processor has arrived on the scene and is making waves in the technology world. Its benchmark results on PassMark prove that Apple has raised the bar once again. With impressive CPU and GPU performance, as well as lightning-fast calculations, the M2 Ultra is set to take the 2023 Mac Studio and Mac Pro workstations to new heights. Apple has come a long way in a relatively short amount of time, and it's safe to say that the future of Apple silicon is looking brighter than ever. So, buckle up and get ready to witness the M2 Ultra in action because it's here to stay, and it's here to dominate.
