M5 Ultra and M6 Chip Benchmark Results Reveal Graphics Performance

Introduction

The first GPU benchmark results for Apple's new M5 Ultra and M6 chips have surfaced, revealing significant graphics performance gains ahead of the new Mac Studio and Mac mini models launching on Tuesday. If you're interested in CPU results, we shared those earlier this week. These numbers suggest Apple is not just iterating but making a bold leap in graphical capabilities.

Context

Apple's custom silicon journey began with the M1, and each generation has brought steady improvements. However, the M5 series appears to be a turning point, with the M5 Ultra pushing the envelope further than ever. The M6, on the other hand, aims to set a new baseline for mainstream Macs, promising substantial gains for everyday users and prosumers alike.

Benchmark Details

According to early Geekbench 7 results, the M5 Ultra achieved a Metal score of 366,744, up to 59% higher than the M3 Ultra's average of 230,420. Its OpenCL performance is roughly on par with NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 4080. Meanwhile, the M6 scored 93,217 in Metal, a 34% increase over the M5's average of 69,563. Here's how the top chips stack up:

• M5 Ultra: 366,744
• M3 Ultra: 230,420
• M5 Max: 225,606
• M2 Ultra: 201,144
• M4 Max: 189,301
• M1 Ultra: 150,098
• M3 Max: 146,550
• M5 Pro: 130,896
• M2 Max: 130,091
• M1 Max: 107,711
• M4 Pro: 107,354
• M6: 93,217
• M2 Pro: 77,176
• M3 Pro: 72,637
• M5: 69,563
• M1 Pro: 63,531
• M4: 51,818
• M3: 46,033
• M2: 40,529
• M1: 27,277

Analysis

The M5 Ultra doesn't just beat its predecessor; it gets dangerously close to high-end dedicated GPUs from NVIDIA. This means Apple is closing the gap in graphics performance for professional tasks like 3D rendering and high-resolution video editing. The M6, while far below, shows a 34% improvement that makes it a solid choice for users who don't need the Ultra's extreme power. The clear winner is the professional consumer seeking compact workstations without sacrificing graphics.

Implications

With these results, Apple reinforces its unified silicon strategy and pressures traditional PC makers to rethink their configurations. The new Mac Studio and Mac mini could become the go-to option for content creators and developers who need powerful graphics without relying on dedicated cards. Moreover, the M6's leap suggests that upcoming MacBook Pro and Air models will offer unprecedented graphics performance in the entry-level range.

Closing

The question now is whether NVIDIA will respond with its next generation or if Apple will continue to set the pace in efficiency and performance per watt.

Source: MacRumors