Apple M1 Ultra 20 Core vs Apple M2 Pro 12 Core
Verdict
Our overall take, at a glance
Key takeaways
- Apple M2 Pro 12 Core leads Apple M1 Ultra 20 Core overall by 5 points (61 vs 56 out of 100).
- Apple M2 Pro 12 Core stands out on Core Specifications Base Frequency: 3.5 GHz, Core Specifications L1 Cache: 1,536 KB, Core Specifications L2 Cache: 32 MB.
Apple M2 Pro 12 Core leads overall
Apple M2 Pro 12 Core
61
Apple M1 Ultra 20 Core
56
Why it stands out
- Core Specifications Base Frequency: 3.5 GHz
- Core Specifications L1 Cache: 1,536 KB
- Core Specifications L2 Cache: 32 MB
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 Pro 12 Core
The Apple M2 Pro is a powerful system-on-a-chip designed for professionals who require extensive creative and computing capabilities. It uses Apple's custom architecture, offering a significant boost in performance over previous generations of Macs. This chip powers devices intended for demanding tasks such as complex video editing, graphic design, and software development.
Best for Professional video editingBest for High-resolution graphic designBest for Software development
Pros
- It provides a strong balance of processing power through its specific core count of 8 performance and 4 efficiency cores (unbinned model) (Source 1)
- Users benefit from high bandwidth memory with LPDDR5, providing fast data transfer across all components (Source 1)
- The integrated GPU is designed for enhanced graphics performance, suitable for demanding visual workloads (Source 1)
- It supports advanced connectivity features including Thunderbolt 4 (Source 1)
Cons
- Its existence within a tiered system means that even its professional versions are surpassed by the M2 Max and M2 Ultra options in workstation contexts (Source 1)
- Performance scaling is tied to specific chassis models, meaning users must select hardware based on required memory bandwidth (Source 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 Pro 12 Core
Performance
Higher benchmark score = faster
Apple M1 Ultra 20 Core26,695
Apple M2 Pro 12 Core26,457
Benchmark score — a measured indicator of raw performance, not a guarantee of real-world speed.
Detailed Specifications
The full spec sheet, side by side