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Apple M1 Ultra Review | 78 Data compared

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  • Avg. price: ~£4,050
  • PassMark benchmark result: 41373
  • N. of physical cores: 20
  • CPU boost clock speed: 3.22 GHz

Apple M1 Ultra review. Compare 78 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among processors and if it is worth buying.

7.0

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the processor's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best processors on the market.

Score components:

90.0%

7.0

Technical Score

10.0%

?

User score

Very good
7.0

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the processor's technical performance, covering key areas such as processing performance, core configuration, efficiency, platform support, integrated features, and thermal behavior.

When it matters: When you want to compare processors based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

60.0%

7.3

Performance

18.0%

6.8

Cache & Architecture

10.0%

7.1

Memory & PCIe

7.0%

5.7

Power & Thermal

4.0%

6.3

Platform

1.0%

9.5

Integrated Graphics

Very good
?

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the processor.

When it matters: When you want to know how a processor performs in real workloads and how reliable it is for gaming, productivity, and efficiency according to user feedback.

Score components:

70.0%

?

User reviews

30.0%

?

Popularity

  • 6.6
    Gaming

    Score components:

    30.0%

    7.3

    PassMark single-core benchmark score

    25.0%

    7.0

    Geekbench 6 single-core benchmark score

    20.0%

    2.3

    CPU boost clock speed

    17.0%

    9.0

    L3 cache

    8.0%

    8.4

    N. of physical cores

  • 8.0
    Video editing

    Score components:

    45.0%

    8.2

    Geekbench 6 multi-core benchmark score

    20.0%

    8.4

    N. of physical cores

    20.0%

    6.4

    CPU threads

    15.0%

    9.0

    L3 cache

  • No image
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Best prices in UK

    N/A~ £4,050

Best rankings

?

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The Apple M1 Ultra is a high-performance system-on-a-chip (SoC) built by interconnecting two M1 Max dies via the UltraFusion architecture, featuring 114 billion transistors and a 20-core CPU with 16 high-performance and 4 efficiency cores. It supports up to a 64-core GPU, a 32-core Neural Engine for machine learning, and a massive 128GB of unified memory with a bandwidth of 800GB/s. Key advantages include industry-leading performance-per-watt, the ability to handle up to 18 streams of 8K ProRes video simultaneously, and a unified memory pool that reduces data-copying latency between the CPU and GPU. However, notable drawbacks include its exclusivity to desktop systems like the Mac Studio due to its size and thermal requirements, and the fact that its components are not user-upgradable after purchase.

Technical Specifications of processor Apple M1 Ultra

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the processor's technical performance, covering key areas such as processing performance, core configuration, efficiency, platform support, integrated features, and thermal behavior.

When it matters: When you want to compare processors based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

60.0%

?

Performance

18.0%

?

Cache & Architecture

10.0%

?

Memory & PCIe

7.0%

?

Power & Thermal

4.0%

?

Platform

1.0%

?

Integrated Graphics

7.0
Apple M1 Ultra has a technical score of 7.02 points, which is higher than that of 84.6% of products in this category.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the processor.

When it matters: When you want to know how a processor performs in real workloads and how reliable it is for gaming, productivity, and efficiency according to user feedback.

Score components:

70.0%

0.0

User reviews

30.0%

1.0

Popularity

?
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the processor.
When it matters: When you prefer to choose a processor reviewed and selected by many other buyers.
1.0
Apple M1 Ultra has a popularity of 1 points, which is higher than 0% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

What it is: An indicator that combines the processor's overall rating with its cost.

When it matters: When you are looking for a processor with a good balance between performance, efficiency, and price.

Score components:

60.0%

7.0

Overall score

40.0%

1.0

Price

5.2
Apple M1 Ultra has a quality-to-price ratio of 5.2 points, which is lower than 93.9% of products in this category.
Brand name
What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.
When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Apple
Processor type
What it is: The kind of system the processor is built for, such as desktop PCs, laptops, workstations, or servers.
When it matters: When you want a processor meant for the kind of machine you are actually building or buying, rather than a chip aimed at a different class of system.

Importance: HIGH

workstation
Apple M1 Ultra belongs to the workstation processor class, which is more advanced than that of 95.1% of processors and equal to that of 4.9% of processors.
CPU socket
What it is: The physical socket the processor fits into on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you need to make sure the CPU can actually be installed on a specific motherboard.

Importance: HIGH

N/A
Chipset
What it is: The motherboard chipset families officially meant to work with the processor.
When it matters: When you are checking whether a CPU will work with the motherboard features and platform you plan to use.

Importance: HIGH

Z790, B660
Apple M1 Ultra supports Z790, B660 chipsets, which is broader compatibility than 79% of processors and equal to that of 1.2% of processors.
CPU architecture
What it is: The processor family or design generation behind the chip, such as Zen 4 or Raptor Lake.
When it matters: When you are comparing CPUs across generations and want a clearer sense of their design age, feature level, and expected performance class.

Importance: HIGH

ARM64
Apple M1 Ultra uses the ARM64 architecture, which is less advanced than that of 98.4% of processors and equal to that of 1.7% of processors.
Apple silicon
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N. of physical cores
What it is: The number of physical CPU cores on the processor.
When it matters: When you run workloads that benefit from more real cores.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 8+

20
Apple M1 Ultra has 20 CPU cores, which is more than 95.7% of processors and equal to 0.8% of processors.
CPU threads
What it is: The total number of processing threads the CPU can handle at once.
When it matters: When you run heavily threaded workloads or multitask a lot.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 16+

20
Apple M1 Ultra offers 20 CPU threads, which is more than 85.4% of processors and equal to 4.5% of processors.
Threads per core
What it is: The number of threads each physical core can handle at once.
When it matters: When you want to understand how much thread-level parallelism each core can provide in multitasking or heavily threaded work.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: 2

1
Apple M1 Ultra offers 1 threads per core, which is fewer than 69.7% of processors and equal to 30.3% of processors.
CPU boost clock speed
What it is: The highest clock speed the processor can reach under boost conditions.
When it matters: When you care about peak speed in short bursts.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >4.7 GHz

3.22 GHz
Apple M1 Ultra reaches a boost clock of 3.22 GHz which is lower than that of 89.2% of processors and equal to that of 0.2% of processors.
CPU base clock speed
What it is: The processor's normal all-core starting frequency before boost behavior raises clocks temporarily.
When it matters: When you care about steadier performance in longer workloads rather than short burst speed alone.

Importance: MEDIUM

16 x 3.23 GHz & 4 x 2.06 GHz
Apple M1 Ultra has a base clock of 16x3.23 GHz & 4x2.06 GHz which is equal to that of 100% of processors.
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Semiconductor size
What it is: The manufacturing process node used to produce the processor, usually expressed in nanometers.
When it matters: When efficiency, heat, and the relative modernity of the chip-making process matter to your comparison.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <10 nm

5 nm
Apple M1 Ultra uses a 5 nm process node, which is more advanced than that of 85.1% of processors and equal to that of 3.2% of processors.
Foundry
What it is: The semiconductor manufacturer that physically fabricates the processor chip.
When it matters: When process source, manufacturing generation, or foundry differences matter to your comparison more than day-to-day performance alone.

Importance: MEDIUM

TSMC 5 nm
Apple M1 Ultra is built on the TSMC 5 nm foundry process, which is more advanced than that of 83.7% of processors and equal to that of 3.2% of processors.
L3 cache
What it is: The total amount of L3 cache available on the processor.
When it matters: When you want better performance in cache-sensitive workloads and games.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=16 MB

?
L2 cache
What it is: The total amount of L2 cache available across the processor.
When it matters: When you want to compare CPU design efficiency and how much fast intermediate cache the cores have available.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=6 MB

56 MB
Apple M1 Ultra has an L2 cache of 56 MB which is larger than that of 99.4% of processors.
L1 cache
What it is: The total amount of L1 cache built into the processor, which sits closest to the cores.
When it matters: When you are comparing low-level CPU design details rather than the broader performance picture buyers usually notice first.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=512 KB

5,888 KB
Apple M1 Ultra has an L1 cache of 5888 KB which is larger than that of 99.7% of processors.
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DDR memory version
What it is: The RAM generation the processor is designed to support, such as DDR4 or DDR5.
When it matters: When you need the CPU to match the kind of memory platform you want to buy or reuse.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: DDR5

LPDDR5
Apple M1 Ultra supports DDR LPDDR5, which is newer than that of 88.9% of processors and equal to that of 1% of processors.
Maximum memory speed
What it is: The highest official memory speed supported by the processor.
When it matters: When you choose RAM and want to know the supported speed ceiling.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=4800 MHz

6,400 MHz
Apple M1 Ultra supports memory speeds up to 6400 MHz, which is higher than that of 83.9% of processors and equal to 8.1% of processors.
Max memory speed (JEDEC)
What it is: The highest official RAM speed the processor supports under standard JEDEC settings, before any memory overclocking profiles are applied.
When it matters: When officially supported stock RAM speed matters more than XMP, EXPO, or manual memory tuning.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5600 MHz

LPDDR5-6400 MHz
Apple M1 Ultra supports JEDEC memory speeds up to LPDDR5-6400 MHz, which is higher than that of 85.6% of processors and equal to 2.8% of processors.
Max memory speed (XMP / EXPO)
What it is: The highest memory speed supported through XMP or EXPO profiles.
When it matters: When you want faster RAM through memory profiles.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5200 MHz

N/A
Maximum memory capacity
What it is: The largest total amount of memory officially supported by the processor.
When it matters: When you plan a system with very large RAM capacity.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=128 GB

128 GB
Apple M1 Ultra supports up to 128 GB of memory, which is more than 61.9% of processors and equal to 21.4% of processors.
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Integrated graphics
What it is: Includes built-in graphics, so the system can output video without a separate graphics card.
When it matters: When you want the PC to work without a dedicated GPU, or you are building an office, media, compact, or troubleshooting-friendly system.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Apple M1 Ultra includes integrated graphics. 87.6% of processors include integrated graphics.
Integrated GPU model
What it is: The model name of the integrated graphics processor, if present.
When it matters: When you plan to use the CPU's built-in graphics.

Importance: MEDIUM

?
Integrated GPU execution units
What it is: The number of execution units available in the integrated graphics part of the processor.
When it matters: When you plan to rely on built-in graphics and want a better sense of its light gaming, display, or media capability.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=24

64
Apple M1 Ultra has 64 GPU execution units, which is more than 87.4% of processors and equal to 3.5% of processors.
Integrated GPU base frequency
What it is: The base operating frequency of the integrated GPU.
When it matters: When integrated graphics performance matters to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=350 MHz

?
Integrated media encoders/decoders
What it is: The hardware media formats the processor can encode or decode directly.
When it matters: When you stream, edit video, or rely on hardware media acceleration.

Importance: LOW

?
Show more
TDP (Thermal design power)
What it is: The rated thermal design power, which gives a general idea of cooling and power needs.
When it matters: When you choose a cooler or build in a tighter case.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <30 W

60 W
Apple M1 Ultra has a TDP of 60 W which is higher than that of 69.2% of processors and equal to that of 0.5% of processors.
Base power (PL1)
What it is: The sustained power target used for longer CPU loads.
When it matters: When you choose cooling and power delivery for sustained workloads.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <30 W

60 W
Apple M1 Ultra has a base power of 60 W which is higher than that of 69.5% of processors and equal to that of 0.5% of processors.
Boost power (PL2)
What it is: The short-term boost power limit the processor may draw under heavier turbo loads.
When it matters: When you size cooling and power delivery for peak turbo behavior.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <50 W

?
Tau (power duration limit)
What it is: The time limit the CPU can stay at higher boost power before dropping toward sustained power.
When it matters: When you want to understand turbo behavior under longer loads.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=28 s

N/A
Configurable TDP
What it is: Allows the processor to run in alternate power modes instead of being fixed to one default TDP target.
When it matters: When you want more control over heat, noise, and power draw in compact systems, quieter builds, or thermally limited machines.

Importance: LOW

no
Apple M1 Ultra does not support configurable TDP. 52.9% of processors support configurable TDP.
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Apple M1 Ultra vs the average processor

  • 3.85x higher multi-core score
    Apple M1 Ultra has a higher Geekbench 6 multi-core score than the average processor (18,444 vs 4,793). The average processor scores 4,793 in Geekbench 6 multi-core.
    What it is: A Geekbench 6 score that reflects multi-core CPU performance in mixed modern workloads.
    When it matters: When you want a quick picture of multi-core speed in everyday mixed workloads, multitasking, and broadly optimized software.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >8500

    Apple M1 Ultra has a higher Geekbench 6 multi-core score than the average processor (18,444 vs 4,793). The average processor scores 4,793 in Geekbench 6 multi-core.18,444 vs 4,793
  • 14 more CPU cores
    Apple M1 Ultra has more CPU cores than the average processor (20 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.
    What it is: The number of physical CPU cores on the processor.
    When it matters: When you run workloads that benefit from more real cores.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: 8+

    Apple M1 Ultra has more CPU cores than the average processor (20 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.20 vs 6
  • 3.32x better multi-core performance
    Apple M1 Ultra has a higher multi-core performance than the average processor (9,226 vs 2,783). The average processor scores 2,783 in Cinebench R20 multi-core.
    What it is: A Cinebench R20 score that reflects how well the processor handles long, heavy rendering workloads across many cores.
    When it matters: When you care about sustained multi-core performance in rendering, compiling, heavy creation work, or productivity workloads that use many threads.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >4700

    Apple M1 Ultra has a higher multi-core performance than the average processor (9,226 vs 2,783). The average processor scores 2,783 in Cinebench R20 multi-core.9,226 vs 2,783
  • 3.93x higher PassMark score
    Apple M1 Ultra has a higher PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (41,373 vs 10,532.5). The average processor scores 10,532.5 in PassMark benchmark.
    What it is: A benchmark score that gives a broad idea of overall processor performance.
    When it matters: When you want a quick overall performance comparison.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >19000

    Apple M1 Ultra has a higher PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (41,373 vs 10,532.5). The average processor scores 10,532.5 in PassMark benchmark.41,373 vs 10,532.5
  • 55.5% better single-core performance
    Apple M1 Ultra has a higher PassMark single-core score than the average processor (3,862 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.
    What it is: A benchmark score that reflects single-core CPU performance.
    When it matters: When you care about responsiveness in lighter or older software.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >3200

    Apple M1 Ultra has a higher PassMark single-core score than the average processor (3,862 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.3,862 vs 2,483
  • 22.4x larger L2 cache
    Apple M1 Ultra has a higher L2 cache than the average processor (56 MB vs 2.5 MB). The average processor has L2 cache of 2.5 MB.
    What it is: The total amount of L2 cache available across the processor.
    When it matters: When you want to compare CPU design efficiency and how much fast intermediate cache the cores have available.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=6 MB

    Apple M1 Ultra has a higher L2 cache than the average processor (56 MB vs 2.5 MB). The average processor has L2 cache of 2.5 MB.56 MB vs 2.5 MB
  • 3.12x higher Cinebench R20 single-core score
    Apple M1 Ultra has a higher Cinebench R20 single-core score than the average processor (1,510 vs 484). The average processor scores 484 in Cinebench R20 single-core.
    What it is: A Cinebench R20 benchmark score that reflects single-core CPU performance.
    When it matters: When you care about lighter workloads, interface responsiveness, or software that still depends heavily on one fast core.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >600

    Apple M1 Ultra has a higher Cinebench R20 single-core score than the average processor (1,510 vs 484). The average processor scores 484 in Cinebench R20 single-core.1,510 vs 484
  • 63% higher single-core score
    Apple M1 Ultra has a higher Geekbench 6 single-core score than the average processor (2,398 vs 1,471). The average processor scores 1,471 in Geekbench 6 single-core.
    What it is: A Geekbench 6 score that reflects single-core CPU performance in mixed modern workloads.
    When it matters: When you care about snappy everyday performance in lighter apps, browsing, office work, or tasks that do not scale well across many cores.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >2000

    Apple M1 Ultra has a higher Geekbench 6 single-core score than the average processor (2,398 vs 1,471). The average processor scores 1,471 in Geekbench 6 single-core.2,398 vs 1,471
  • Higher-end processor class
    Apple M1 Ultra belongs to a higher-end processor class than the average processor (workstation vs mobile).
  • Supports HMP
    Apple M1 Ultra supports HMP, the average processor does not.
  • 3.85x higher multi-core score
    Apple M1 Ultra has a higher Geekbench 6 multi-core score than the average processor (18,444 vs 4,793). The average processor scores 4,793 in Geekbench 6 multi-core.
  • 14 more CPU cores
    Apple M1 Ultra has more CPU cores than the average processor (20 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.
  • 3.32x better multi-core performance
    Apple M1 Ultra has a higher multi-core performance than the average processor (9,226 vs 2,783). The average processor scores 2,783 in Cinebench R20 multi-core.
  • 3.93x higher PassMark score
    Apple M1 Ultra has a higher PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (41,373 vs 10,532.5). The average processor scores 10,532.5 in PassMark benchmark.
  • 55.5% better single-core performance
    Apple M1 Ultra has a higher PassMark single-core score than the average processor (3,862 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.
  • 3.12x higher Cinebench R20 single-core score
    Apple M1 Ultra has a higher Cinebench R20 single-core score than the average processor (1,510 vs 484). The average processor scores 484 in Cinebench R20 single-core.
  • 63% higher single-core score
    Apple M1 Ultra has a higher Geekbench 6 single-core score than the average processor (2,398 vs 1,471). The average processor scores 1,471 in Geekbench 6 single-core.
  • 12 more CPU threads
    Apple M1 Ultra has more CPU threads than the average processor (20 vs 8). The average processor has 8 CPU threads.
  • 4 wider front-end design
    Apple M1 Ultra has a higher front-end width than the average processor (8 vs 4). The average processor uses front-end width of 4.
  • 22.4x larger L2 cache
    Apple M1 Ultra has a higher L2 cache than the average processor (56 MB vs 2.5 MB). The average processor has L2 cache of 2.5 MB.
  • 58.3% smaller process node
    Apple M1 Ultra has a lower process node than the average processor (5 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.
  • 15.33x larger L1 cache
    Apple M1 Ultra has a higher L1 cache than the average processor (5,888 KB vs 384 KB). The average processor has L1 cache of 384 KB.
  • Uses big.LITTLE design
    Apple M1 Ultra uses a big.LITTLE design, the average processor does not.
  • 23.03x more transistors
    Apple M1 Ultra has more transistors than the average processor (114 billion vs 4.95 billion). The average processor has 4.95 billion transistors.
  • More advanced foundry
    Apple M1 Ultra uses a more advanced foundry process than the average processor (TSMC 5 nm vs Intel 14 nm).
  • 17.47x higher memory bandwidth
    Apple M1 Ultra has a higher memory bandwidth than the average processor (800 GB/s vs 45.8 GB/s). The average processor offers memory bandwidth of 45.8 GB/s.
  • 2.18x higher memory speed
    Apple M1 Ultra has a higher maximum memory speed than the average processor (6,400 MHz vs 2,933 MHz). The average processor supports memory speed of 2,933 MHz.
  • Newer DDR support
    Apple M1 Ultra supports a newer DDR generation than the average processor (LPDDR5 vs DDR4).
  • 2x more memory capacity
    Apple M1 Ultra has more maximum memory capacity than the average processor (128 GB vs 64 GB). The average processor supports 64 GB of memory.
  • 2 more supported displays
    Apple M1 Ultra has more supported displays than the average processor (5 vs 3). The average processor supports 3 displays.
  • 2.67x more GPU execution units
    Apple M1 Ultra has more GPU execution units than the average processor (64 vs 24). The average processor has 24 GPU execution units.

Total
Platform
Performance
Cache & Architecture
Memory & PCIe
Integrated Graphics
  • Narrower instruction support
    Apple M1 Ultra supports a narrower instruction set than the average processor (NEON, AES, SHA1, SHA2, SHA3, DotProd, AMX vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA).
  • 25.1% lower boost clock
    Apple M1 Ultra has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (3.2 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.
  • No multithreading support
    Apple M1 Ultra does not support multithreading, the average processor does.
  • 1 fewer threads per core
    Apple M1 Ultra has fewer threads per core than the average processor (1 vs 2). The average processor offers 2 threads per core.
  • Less advanced microarchitecture
    Apple M1 Ultra uses a less advanced microarchitecture than the average processor (Firestorm / Icestorm vs Kaby Lake).
  • 4.72x larger die size
    Apple M1 Ultra has a higher die size than the average processor (840 mm² vs 178 mm²). The average processor has a die size of 178 mm².
  • No configurable TDP
    Apple M1 Ultra does not support configurable TDP, the average processor does.
  • 33.3% higher base power
    Apple M1 Ultra has a higher base power draw than the average processor (60 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.
  • 33.3% higher TDP
    Apple M1 Ultra has a higher TDP than the average processor (60 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a TDP of 45 W.
  • 25.1% lower boost clock
    Apple M1 Ultra has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (3.2 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.
    What it is: The highest clock speed the processor can reach under boost conditions.
    When it matters: When you care about peak speed in short bursts.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >4.7 GHz

    Apple M1 Ultra has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (3.2 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.3.22 GHz vs 4.3 GHz
  • Less advanced microarchitecture
    Apple M1 Ultra uses a less advanced microarchitecture than the average processor (Firestorm / Icestorm vs Kaby Lake).
    What it is: The internal core-design codename used for this processor generation.
    When it matters: When you are comparing CPUs at a deeper design level and want to identify the exact architecture behind marketing names.

    Importance: LOW

    Apple M1 Ultra uses a less advanced microarchitecture than the average processor (Firestorm / Icestorm vs Kaby Lake).Firestorm / Icestorm vs Kaby Lake
  • No multithreading support
    Apple M1 Ultra does not support multithreading, the average processor does.
    What it is: Lets each physical core run more than one thread at the same time, such as with Hyper-Threading or SMT.
    When it matters: When multitasking, rendering, compiling, virtualization, or other thread-heavy work benefits from more total processing threads.

    Importance: HIGH

    Apple M1 Ultra does not support multithreading, the average processor does.
  • 4.72x larger die size
    Apple M1 Ultra has a higher die size than the average processor (840 mm² vs 178 mm²). The average processor has a die size of 178 mm².
    What it is: The physical area of the processor die, usually measured in square millimeters.
    When it matters: When you are comparing chip scale, packaging density, or broader design differences rather than direct user-visible performance.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: <150 mm²

    Apple M1 Ultra has a higher die size than the average processor (840 mm² vs 178 mm²). The average processor has a die size of 178 mm².840 mm² vs 178 mm²
  • Narrower instruction support
    Apple M1 Ultra supports a narrower instruction set than the average processor (NEON, AES, SHA1, SHA2, SHA3, DotProd, AMX vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA).
    What it is: The supported CPU instruction sets and extensions.
    When it matters: When you run software that depends on specific CPU instructions.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Apple M1 Ultra supports a narrower instruction set than the average processor (NEON, AES, SHA1, SHA2, SHA3, DotProd, AMX vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA).NEON, AES, SHA1, SHA2, SHA3, DotProd, AMX vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA
  • 16.2x more expensive
    Apple M1 Ultra is more expensive than the average processor (£4,050 vs £250).
    Apple M1 Ultra is more expensive than the average processor (£4,050 vs £250).£4,050 vs £250
  • No configurable TDP
    Apple M1 Ultra does not support configurable TDP, the average processor does.
    What it is: Allows the processor to run in alternate power modes instead of being fixed to one default TDP target.
    When it matters: When you want more control over heat, noise, and power draw in compact systems, quieter builds, or thermally limited machines.

    Importance: LOW

    Apple M1 Ultra does not support configurable TDP, the average processor does.
  • 22.1% worse value for money
    Apple M1 Ultra has worse value for money than the average processor (5.22 vs 6.367).
    What it is: An indicator that combines the processor's overall rating with its cost.
    When it matters: When you are looking for a processor with a good balance between performance, efficiency, and price.
    Apple M1 Ultra has worse value for money than the average processor (5.22 vs 6.367).5.22 vs 6.37
Total
Overall
Platform
Performance
Cache & Architecture
Power & Thermal

Graphic comparison of Apple M1 Ultra and other processors

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Third-party reviews

What customers like about Apple M1 Ultra?

  • Extraordinary multi-core performance for complex professional workflows like 8K video editing and 3D rendering
  • Exceptional power efficiency, delivering high performance with significantly lower power consumption compared to high-end Intel and AMD chips
  • Runs cool and quiet even under heavy loads, often eliminating the need for aggressive fan cooling
  • Massive unified memory bandwidth (up to 800GB/s) that reduces latency for data-intensive tasks
  • Strong single-thread performance that remains competitive with modern desktop processors

What customers dislike about Apple M1 Ultra?

  • Extremely high cost, making it overkill and poor value for casual or non-professional users
  • Not optimized for intense gaming, with performance often lagging behind dedicated high-end GPUs like the RTX 3090
  • Total lack of post-purchase upgradability; RAM and internal components are soldered and cryptographically locked
  • Scaling issues in certain applications where performance does not always double that of the M1 Max as advertised
  • Software compatibility gaps, particularly with older or non-native applications that must run through the Rosetta 2 emulation layer

Expert reviews

R
reneritchie.net
24/03/2022
M1 Ultra Benchmarks — The Ugly Truth Would you like to see a comparison table of the specific Geekbench or Cinebench scores found in these reviews? Co...

Rene Ritchie’s analysis of the M1 Ultra highlights that while UltraFusion architecture delivers exceptional, near-linear GPU scaling in high-load scenarios, many standard benchmarks fail to trigger these gains, creating misleading, sub-par results. The core strength, or pro, lies in its massive efficiency and performance gains for heavy tasks, whereas the "ugly truth" is that, as a...Read more

E
extremetech.com
02/05/2022
The Apple M1 Ultra Crushes Intel in Computational Fluid Dynamics Performance

An ExtremeTech review highlights that the Apple M1 Ultra dominates Intel x86 architecture in computational fluid dynamics (CFD), utilizing NASA’s USM3D code to demonstrate superior performance. A major advantage, or pro, is its ability to match a 28-core Intel Xeon with just six threads, driven by 800 GB/s bandwidth that eliminates data bottlenecks. However, the M1 Ultra faces cons...Read more

9
9to5mac.com
18/05/2022
M1 Ultra benchmarks with real-life usage tests: 40-100% faster

The M1 Ultra in the Mac Studio delivers exceptional performance for specialized video workflows and heavy-duty rendering, outperforming high-end PC workstations while remaining remarkably quiet and cool. It effectively combines two M1 Max chips to excel in multi-core tasks, yet it offers limited advantages for single-core tasks like photo editing, where it performs closely to the...Read more

P
provideocoalition.com
17/03/2022
Review: Mac Studio and the M1 Ultra for video editors – part 1

Scott Simmons' ProVideo Coalition review identifies the Mac Studio with M1 Ultra as a potential "ultimate machine" for video editors, highlighting its compact, quiet design and extensive connectivity options like 10 GB Ethernet and multiple Thunderbolt 4 ports as major pros. The machine excels at handling intensive, optimized post-production tasks—including 8K video streams and...Read more

Z
zdnet.com
07/04/2022
Apple Mac Studio with M1 Ultra review: A workstation-class upgrade

The ZDNET review describes the Apple Mac Studio (M1 Ultra) as a compact, workstation-class desktop bridging the gap between the Mac mini and Mac Pro, ideal for creative professionals. It delivers immense power with exceptional thermal efficiency, allowing it to remain quiet under heavy loads, while providing extensive front and rear connectivity options. However, the machine offers...Read more

E
engadget.com
17/05/2022
We ran every test you could think of on the M1 Ultra

Engadget's review highlights the M1 Ultra as a powerful chip for creative professionals, utilizing "UltraFusion" to connect two M1 Max dies for 20 CPU and 64 GPU cores. Benchmarks show superior performance in video rendering and AI tasks, with the chip processing 8K video roughly twice as fast as a high-end PC with an RTX 3080 Ti. While efficient, the system faces, at times,...Read more

P
pcmag.com
06/04/2022
Apple Mac Studio (M1 Ultra) Review

The PCMag review highlights the Apple Mac Studio with M1 Ultra as a groundbreaking, compact workstation that delivers exceptional performance for creative professionals, utilizing "UltraFusion" technology to combine two M1 Max dies. Key advantages include its immense processing power—noted for rapidly completing tasks like Blender rendering—alongside a generous port selection,...Read more

T
theverge.com
17/03/2022
Apple Mac Studio review: finally

The Verge reviews the Apple Mac Studio as a high-performance desktop that bridges the gap between the Mac Mini and Mac Pro, offering immense power in a compact form factor with excellent front-facing ports and quiet operation. While the M1 Ultra chip delivers workstation-level CPU performance that often beats competitors, the review notes the 64-core GPU does not outperform a...Read more

U
uk.pcmag.com
02/04/2022
Apple M1 Max vs. M1 Ultra, Tested: Apple's Top Desktop Chips Face Off

The PCMag review highlights that the M1 Ultra, featuring two fused M1 Max dies, offers double the core counts for significantly higher multi-core performance, reducing rendering times by nearly half in tests like Blender. While providing superior workstation power, the Ultra shares the same single-core performance as the Max and actually falls behind in some web-based tasks...Read more

U
uk.pcmag.com
06/04/2022
Apple Mac Studio (M1 Ultra) - Review 2022

The Apple Mac Studio with M1 Ultra, reviewed by PCMag, is a compact workstation offering immense performance through its 20-core CPU and up to 64-core GPU. It features an extensive array of connectivity, including multiple Thunderbolt 4 ports and an SDXC card slot, while maintaining "whisper-quiet" operation under heavy creative loads. A major advantage is the incredible processing...Read more

D
dailymotion.com
17/03/2026
Apple M1 Ultra Mac Studio Review: A 20-Core Knockout?", "Mac Studio M1 Ultra Test: Apple's 20-Core Wins by KO?

This Dailymotion video review analyzes the Apple Mac Studio with the M1 Ultra chip, focusing on its design, extensive port selection, and performance. Key pros include exceptional thermal and acoustic efficiency—running silently at low power—and impressive multi-core performance for creative applications. Conversely, the review highlights the major drawback of zero...Read more

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M
mac4ever.com
22/03/2026
Mac Studio Review: M1 Max vs. M1 Ultra? The Performance Showdown

Mac4Ever's review highlights that the M1 Ultra significantly outperforms the M1 Max in multi-core tasks, with pros including extensive connectivity options (SDXC, Thunderbolt 4) and efficient, quiet cooling for creative workflows. While the M1 Ultra excels in heavy rendering and video export, the review notes that single-core performance is identical to the M1 Max, making the...Read more

(Translated)Show original
F
fotonerd.it
08/03/2022
Apple M1 Ultra: Materials and Performance Specifications

The Apple M1 Ultra, featuring "UltraFusion" architecture, doubles workstation performance with a 20-core CPU and up to a 64-core GPU. It offers exceptional power efficiency, quiet operation, and up to 128GB of unified memory, excelling in demanding 8K video editing and 3D rendering tasks. While it delivers immense power, the chip faces diminishing returns in some GPU-accelerated...Read more

(Translated)Show original
S
saggiamente.com
16/04/2026
Apple Mac Studio Review: A Mac mini in Pro Clothing

The Apple Mac Studio, described as a "Mac mini on steroids," offers workstation-class performance in a compact chassis featuring a robust, quiet thermal system. Pros highlighted include an impressive array of accessible front-facing ports and exceptional efficiency under heavy workloads, making it an ideal, silent hub for creative professionals. Conversely, the review notes...Read more

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D
dday.it
29/04/2026
Apple Mac Studio with M1 Ultra Review: Super Performance with Built-in Energy Savings

The DDay.it review highlights the Apple Mac Studio with M1 Ultra as a revolutionary, compact workstation, utilizing UltraFusion technology to deliver immense performance with a 20-core CPU and up to 64-core GPU. It stands out for its extreme power-to-efficiency ratio, providing top-tier professional capabilities while remaining silent and consuming far less energy than comparable...Read more

(Translated)Show original
T
tweakers.net
11/04/2022
Apple Mac Studio Review - Ultra, Not Pro

The Apple Mac Studio, particularly with the M1 Ultra chip, acts as a high-performance, compact bridge between the Mac mini and Pro, offering exceptional multi-core power and efficient cooling, though the Ultra model is heavier due to its large copper heat sink. While providing excellent, accessible I/O ports for creative professionals, the machine lacks any internal upgradeability,...Read more

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I
icreatemagazine.nl
27/05/2022
Watch: Just how fast the M1 Ultra is in the Mac Studio

According to tests reviewed by iCreate, the Apple M1 Ultra chip utilizes a dual-die "fusion" architecture to combine two M1 Max chips, delivering massive performance gains with a 20-core CPU and up to 64-core GPU. The chip, featuring 800 GB/s bandwidth and up to 128 GB of unified memory, excels in multi-core tasks like 8K video rendering and 3D modeling, often surpassing high-end...Read more

(Translated)Show original

Video reviews

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