Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU) Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)
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Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU) vs Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)

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Introduction and Key Features: The Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU), M1 architecture, was developed for high-performance laptops for creative and professional tasks.

The Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU), M2 architecture, is designed for higher computing and graphics performance requirements.

Both are manufactured using the 5 nm process. The M1 Pro features an 8-core CPU (24 MB L2 cache) and an M1 Pro (14 Core) graphics unit. The M2 Pro offers a 12-core CPU (36 MB L2 cache) and an M2 Pro (19 Core) graphics unit. The maximum memory bandwidth for both is 102 GB/s. Performance and Gaming: The M2 Pro shows over 10 percent higher single-core performance.

In multi-core applications, its advantage is even more pronounced, well over 10 percent, thanks to the higher core count. In gaming scenarios, the M2 Pro also delivers better performance due to its superior 19-core graphics unit. Energy Efficiency and Price-Performance Ratio: Both processors are characterized by high energy efficiency; the M2 Pro tends to require slightly more energy under full load but remains very efficient.

Thermal dissipation is well controllable. The M1 Pro offers a good price-performance ratio. The more expensive M2 Pro justifies its price with significantly improved multi-core and graphics performance. Summary and Recommendation: The M1 Pro is an excellent choice for creative professionals seeking high performance with efficient consumption.

For users who require maximum CPU and GPU performance, the M2 Pro is recommended.

Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)

  • M1 architecture, 8-core CPU
  • Integrated M1 Pro (14 Core) graphics unit
  • 24 MB Level 2 Cache, 102 GB/s memory bandwidth
  • Good price-performance ratio

Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU)

  • M2 architecture, 12-core CPU
  • Integrated M2 Pro (19 Core) graphics unit
  • 36 MB Level 2 Cache, 102 GB/s memory bandwidth
  • Significantly higher multi-core and graphics performance

Performance Overview
Average performance across multiple benchmarks

Single-core performance
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU)
Rank 2 - 92 %
Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)
Multi-core performance
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU)
Rank 2 - 66 %
Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)
Cinebench 2024 Single-Core

Cinebench 2024 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
122 pts
Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)
8C / 8T · 3.20 GHz
113 pts
Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core

Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
1,025 pts
Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)
8C / 8T · 3.20 GHz
628 pts
Cinebench R23 Single-Core

Cinebench R23 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
1,695 pts
Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)
8C / 8T · 3.20 GHz
1,534 pts
Cinebench R23 Multi-Core

Cinebench R23 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
14,855 pts
Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)
8C / 8T · 3.20 GHz
9,569 pts
Geekbench 6 Single-Core

Geekbench 6 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
2,689
Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)
8C / 8T · 3.20 GHz
2,397
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core

Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
14,207
Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)
8C / 8T · 3.20 GHz
10,412
Geekbench 5, 64bit Single-Core

Geekbench 5, 64bit Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
1,874
Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)
8C / 8T · 3.20 GHz
1,768
Geekbench 5, 64bit Multi-Core

Geekbench 5, 64bit Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU)
12C / 12T · 3.50 GHz
15,506
Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)
8C / 8T · 3.20 GHz
9,996
iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU)
Apple M2 Pro (19 Core)
6,745
Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)
Apple M1 Pro (14 Core)
4,580
AI performance (NPU)

AI performance (NPU)

Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU)
12C / 12T · 0.66 GHz
15.8 TOPS
Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)
8C / 8T · 0.60 GHz
11.0 TOPS

More benchmarks

At a glance

Wischen
Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU)Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)
FamilyApple M series (38)Apple M series (38)
CPU groupApple M2 (8)Apple M1 (9)
ArchitectureM2M1
Technology5 nm5 nm
SegmentNotebookNotebook
Socket
PredecessorApple M1 Pro (10-CPU 16-GPU)
SuccessorApple M3 Pro (12-CPU 18-GPU)

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

Wischen
Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU)Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)
CPU Cores / Threads12 / 128 / 8
Hyperthreading / SMT
Core architecturehybrid (big.LITTLE)hybrid (big.LITTLE)
Core Cluster 1: 8x Avalanche
0.66 - 3.50 GHz
6x Firestorm
0.60 - 3.20 GHz
Core Cluster 2: 4x Blizzard
0.60 - 2.42 GHz
2x Icestorm
0.60 - 2.06 GHz
L2-Cache36.00 MB24.00 MB
L3-Cache
Overclocking

Integrated graphics (iGPU)

Wischen
Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU)Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)
GPU nameApple M2 Pro (19 Core)Apple M1 Pro (14 Core)
GPU frequency0.45 - 1.40 GHz0.39 - 1.30 GHz
CUs / Shader304 / 2432224 / 1792
Raytracing
Max. displays33
Max. GPU Memory32 GB32 GB
Technology5 nm5 nm
Release dateQ1/2023Q3/2021

NPU AI performance

Wischen
Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU)Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)
AI hardwareApple Neural EngineApple Neural Engine
AI specifications16 Neural cores @ 15.8 TOPS16 Neural cores @ 11 TOPS
NPU + CPU + iGPU

Memory & PCIe

Wischen
Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU)Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)
MemoryLPDDR5-6400 (102.4 GB/s)
LPDDR5-6400 (102.4 GB/s)
Max. Memory32 GB32 GB
Memory channels22
ECCNoNo
PCIe4.04.0
PCIe Bandwidth

Thermal Management

Wischen
Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU)Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)
TDP40 W35 W
TDP (PL2)
TDP up
TDP down
T. junction max.100 °C

Technical details

Wischen
Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU)Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)
Chip designMonolithicMonolithic
AES-NI
Operating systemsmacOS, iPadOSmacOS
Instruction setArmv8.5-A (64 bit)Armv8.5-A (64 bit)
ISA extensionsRosetta 2 x86-EmulationRosetta 2 x86-Emulation
Release dateQ1/2023Q3/2021
Release price
DocumentsTechnical data sheet

Your rating

Here you can rate one or both of the processors. The average rating of Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU) is 4.6 stars (126 ratings), while Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU) has received 4.9 stars (254 ratings).

Click on the stars to rate one or both processors.

Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU)
Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU)
12C / 12T · 0.66 - 3.50 GHz
Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)
Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU)
8C / 8T · 0.60 - 3.20 GHz

Most popular CPUs in both categories

Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU)
Apple M2 Pro (12-CPU 19-GPU)
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