Apple M1 Ultra 20 Core vs Apple M2 Max 12 Core
Verdict
Our overall take, at a glance
Key takeaways
- Apple M1 Ultra 20 Core leads Apple M2 Max 12 Core overall by 5 points (58 vs 53 out of 100).
- Apple M1 Ultra 20 Core stands out on Core Specifications Cores: 20, Core Specifications Threads: 20, Benchmark PassMark CPU Mark: 26,695.
Apple M1 Ultra 20 Core leads overall
Apple M1 Ultra 20 Core
58
Apple M2 Max 12 Core
53
Why it stands out
- Core Specifications Cores: 20
- Core Specifications Threads: 20
- Benchmark PassMark CPU Mark: 26,695
In-depth analysisAI
AI-generated from the cited sources — may be incomplete or inaccurate; verify important details before deciding · generated Jun 2026.
Apple M1 Ultra 20 Core
The Apple M1 Ultra is an extremely powerful System-on-a-Chip designed for high-end, professional workstations. It combines two independently connected M1 Max units via the 'UltraFusion' interconnect to significantly increase computational throughput. This processor is suited for users who require maximum performance for intensive creative and scientific workloads.
Best for Professional video editingBest for 3D Rendering/VFXBest for Computational modeling
Pros
- High core count structure, featuring a total of 20 CPU cores and dedicated high-bandwidth interconnectivity (Source 1)
- Significant memory capacity options are available, supporting up to 128 GB of LPDDR5 RAM (Source 1)
- Achieves exceptional performance by combining two M1 Max units, effectively doubling peak capabilities (Source 1)
Cons
- The high resource requirements make it unsuitable for most general-purpose computing tasks
- It is a discontinued processor, limiting modern upgrade paths and support options (Source 1)
Apple M2 Max 12 Core
The Apple M2 Max is a high-performance System-on-a-chip designed for professional users and creative professionals. It functions as the central processing unit for demanding computing tasks, providing significant computational power across CPU, GPU, and NPU domains. This chip is intended for advanced applications that require intensive resource usage.
Best for video editingBest for 3D renderingBest for intensive design work
Pros
- It features multiple core types, including high-performance and efficiency cores, allowing optimized task execution (1).
- The M2 Max includes a substantial 38-core GPU, providing robust graphical processing capabilities (1).
- It supports extremely fast LPDDR5 memory bandwidth of up to 200 GB/s (1).
- The processor is designed for professional devices, supporting advanced codecs like 8K H.265 and ProRes (1).
- Its larger level cache (48 MB) contributes to better data handling efficiency compared to lower-tier variants (1).
Cons
- Functioning as an older generation chip relative to newer Apple silicon releases limits its peak performance ceiling compared to the latest models (1).
- The complexity of its core structure, combining various high and low-power cores, may require specific software optimization for best performance (1).
Value for Money
Which is the better deal for the price
Enter today's price for each product to see which offers better value. Use the same currency for both.
Apple M1 Ultra 20 Core
Apple M2 Max 12 Core
Performance
Higher benchmark score = faster
Apple M1 Ultra 20 Core26,695
Apple M2 Max 12 Core26,073
Benchmark score — a measured indicator of raw performance, not a guarantee of real-world speed.
Detailed Specifications
The full spec sheet, side by side