Apple M2 Benchmark, Test and specs

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The Apple M2 has 8 CPU cores and can process 8 threads at the same time. The processor was presented in Q2/2022 and is based on the 2. Generation of the Apple M series series. In the Geekbench 5 benchmark, the Apple M2 achieved a result of 1,874 points (single-core) or 8,853 points (multi-core).
Apple M2

CPU lineage

In this classification you can see to which group of processors the Apple M2 belongs. We also show the direct predecessor and successor of Apple M2.

Name: Apple M2
Family: Apple M series (23)
CPU group: Apple M2 (8)
Architecture: M2
Segment: Mobile
Generation: 2
Predecessor: Apple M1
Successor: Apple M3

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Apple M2 has 8 cores. The clock frequency of the Apple M2 is 0.66 GHz (3.50 GHz). An initial performance assessment can be made using the number of CPU cores.

CPU Cores / Threads: 8 / 8
Core architecture: hybrid (big.LITTLE)
A-Core: 4x Avalanche
B-Core: 4x Blizzard
Hyperthreading / SMT: No
Overclocking: No
A-Core Frequency: 0.66 GHz (3.50 GHz)
B-Core Frequency: 0.60 GHz (2.42 GHz)

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Processors with the support of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can process many calculations, especially audio, image and video processing, much faster than classic processors. Algorithms for ML improve their performance the more data they have collected via software. ML tasks can be processed up to 10,000 times faster than with a classic processor.

AI hardware: Apple Neural Engine
AI specifications: 16 Neural cores @ 15.8 TOPS

Internal Graphics

The Apple M2 has an integrated graphics that the system can use to efficiently play back videos. The Apple M2 has the Apple M2 (10 Core) installed, which has 160 streaming multiprocessors (1280 shaders).

GPU name: Apple M2 (10 Core)
GPU frequency: 0.45 GHz
GPU (Turbo): 1.40 GHz
Compute units: 160
Shader: 1280
Hardware Raytracing: No
Release date: Q2/2022
Max. displays: 2
Generation: 2
Direct X: --
Technology: 5 nm
Max. GPU Memory: 24 GB
Frame Generation: No

Hardware codec support

Processors with integrated graphics can process video codecs faster. Support for modern codecs can significantly increase system efficiency during video playback.

h265 / HEVC (8 bit): Decode / Encode
h265 / HEVC (10 bit): Decode / Encode
h264: Decode / Encode
VP8: Decode
VP9: Decode / Encode
AV1: No
AVC: Decode
VC-1: Decode
JPEG: Decode / Encode

Memory & PCIe

The Apple M2 supports a maximum of 24 GB memory. Depending on the mainboard, the processor can use a maximum of 2 (Dual Channel) memory channels. This results in a maximum bandwidth of the main memory of 102.4 GB/s.

Memory type: Memory bandwidth:
LPDDR5-6400
102.4 GB/s
Max. Memory: 24 GB
Memory channels: 2 (Dual Channel)
ECC: No
PCIe: 4.0
PCIe Bandwidth: --

Thermal Management

The Apple M2 has a TDP of 20 W. Based on the TDP, the system manufacturer can and must adapt the cooling solution to the processor.

TDP (PL1 / PBP): 20 W
TDP (PL2): --
TDP up: 30 W
TDP down: 10 W
Tjunction max.: 100 °C

Technical details

Modern production reduces the waste heat of a processor and increases its efficiency. The Apple M2 is made in 5 nm and has 20.00 MB cache.

Technology: 5 nm
Chip design: Chiplet
Socket: --
L2-Cache: 20.00 MB
L3-Cache: --
AES-NI: Yes
Operating systems: macOS, iPadOS
Virtualization: Apple Virtualization Framework
Instruction set (ISA): Armv8.5-A (64 bit)
ISA extensions: Rosetta 2 x86-Emulation
Release date: Q2/2022
Release price: --
Part Number: --
Documents: Technical data sheet

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Benchmark results

Verified Benchmark results
The benchmark results for the Apple M2 have been carefully checked by us. We only publish benchmark results that have been created by us or that have been submitted by a visitor and then checked by a team member. All results are based on and fullfill our benchmark guidelines.

Screenshots:

Cinebench 2024 (Single-Core)

The Cinebench 2024 benchmark is based on the Redshift rendering engine, which is also used in Maxon's 3D program Cinema 4D. The benchmark runs are each 10 minutes long to test whether the processor is limited by its heat generation.
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz
121
Intel Core i9-13900 Intel Core i9-13900
24C 32T @ 5.60 GHz
121
Intel Core i9-13900F Intel Core i9-13900F
24C 32T @ 5.60 GHz
121
Apple M2 Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz
120
Apple M2 (8-GPU) Apple M2 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz
120
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7970X AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7970X
32C 64T @ 5.30 GHz
119
AMD Ryzen 7 7700X AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
8C 16T @ 5.40 GHz
119

Cinebench 2024 (Multi-Core)

The Multi-Core test of the Cinebench 2024 benchmark uses all cpu cores to render using the Redshift rendering engine, which is also used in Maxons Cinema 4D. The benchmark run is 10 minutes long to test whether the processor is limited by its heat generation.
AMD Ryzen 5 3600 AMD Ryzen 5 3600
6C 12T @ 4.20 GHz
568
AMD Ryzen 5 5600H AMD Ryzen 5 5600H
6C 12T @ 4.20 GHz
559
AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS
6C 12T @ 4.20 GHz
559
Apple M2 Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz
555
Apple M2 (8-GPU) Apple M2 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz
555
Intel Core i5-12500H Intel Core i5-12500H
12C 16T @ 4.50 GHz
546
AMD Ryzen 7 1800X AMD Ryzen 7 1800X
8C 16T @ 4.00 GHz
545

Cinebench R23 (Single-Core)

Cinebench R23 is the successor of Cinebench R20 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The single-core test only uses one CPU core, the amount of cores or hyperthreading ability doesn't count.
AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6860Z AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6860Z
8C 16T @ 4.73 GHz
1613
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
6C 12T @ 4.60 GHz
1593
AMD Ryzen 7 5800 AMD Ryzen 7 5800
8C 16T @ 4.60 GHz
1593
Apple M2 Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz
1592
Apple M2 (8-GPU) Apple M2 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz
1592
AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U
8C 16T @ 4.70 GHz
1587
AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS
8C 16T @ 4.60 GHz
1579

Cinebench R23 (Multi-Core)

Cinebench R23 is the successor of Cinebench R20 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The multi-core test involves all CPU cores and taks a big advantage of hyperthreading.
AMD Ryzen 7 1700X AMD Ryzen 7 1700X
8C 16T @ 3.60 GHz
8805
AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS
6C 12T @ 4.00 GHz
8765
Intel Core i9-9880H Intel Core i9-9880H
8C 16T @ 3.40 GHz
8657
Apple M2 Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz
8558
Apple M2 (8-GPU) Apple M2 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz
8558
Intel Core i7-9700F Intel Core i7-9700F
8C 8T @ 3.80 GHz
8540
Intel Core i7-9700 Intel Core i7-9700
8C 8T @ 3.80 GHz
8540

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

Geekbench 5 is a cross plattform benchmark that heavily uses the systems memory. A fast memory will push the result a lot. The single-core test only uses one CPU core, the amount of cores or hyperthreading ability doesn't count.
Intel Core i9-11900K Intel Core i9-11900K
8C 16T @ 5.30 GHz
1878
Intel Core i9-11900KF Intel Core i9-11900KF
8C 16T @ 5.30 GHz
1878
Intel Core i5-14500 Intel Core i5-14500
14C 20T @ 5.00 GHz
1877
Apple M2 Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz
1874
Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) Apple M2 Max (30-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz
1874
Apple M2 Pro (10-CPU 16-GPU) Apple M2 Pro (10-CPU 16-GPU)
10C 10T @ 3.50 GHz
1874
Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz
1874

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Geekbench 5 is a cross plattform benchmark that heavily uses the systems memory. A fast memory will push the result a lot. The multi-core test involves all CPU cores and taks a big advantage of hyperthreading.
AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6860Z AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6860Z
8C 16T @ 2.70 GHz
8883
AMD EPYC 7301 AMD EPYC 7301
16C 32T @ 2.70 GHz
8864
Intel Xeon Gold 5117 Intel Xeon Gold 5117
14C 28T @ 2.40 GHz
8856
Apple M2 Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz
8853
AMD Ryzen 5 8640U AMD Ryzen 5 8640U
6C 12T @ 3.50 GHz
8853
AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 7640U AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 7640U
6C 12T @ 3.50 GHz
8853
AMD Ryzen 5 7640U AMD Ryzen 5 7640U
6C 12T @ 3.50 GHz
8853

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Geekbench 6 is a benchmark for modern computers, notebooks and smartphones. What is new is an optimized utilization of newer CPU architectures, e.g. based on the big.LITTLE concept and combining CPU cores of different sizes. The single-core benchmark only evaluates the performance of the fastest CPU core, the number of CPU cores in a processor is irrelevant here.
Intel Core i9-12900E Intel Core i9-12900E
16C 24T @ 5.00 GHz
2611
Intel Core i9-13900E Intel Core i9-13900E
24C 32T @ 5.20 GHz
2606
AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX
64C 128T @ 5.10 GHz
2599
Apple M2 Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz
2596
Apple M2 (8-GPU) Apple M2 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz
2596
Intel Core i5-14500T Intel Core i5-14500T
14C 20T @ 4.80 GHz
2561
Intel Core i9-12900K Intel Core i9-12900K
16C 24T @ 5.20 GHz
2560

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Geekbench 6 is a benchmark for modern computers, notebooks and smartphones. What is new is an optimized utilization of newer CPU architectures, e.g. based on the big.LITTLE concept and combining CPU cores of different sizes. The multi-core benchmark evaluates the performance of all of the processor's CPU cores. Virtual thread improvements such as AMD SMT or Intel's Hyper-Threading have a positive impact on the benchmark result.
Intel Core i7-1360P Intel Core i7-1360P
12C 16T @ 2.20 GHz
10125
Intel Xeon W-2255 Intel Xeon W-2255
10C 20T @ 4.40 GHz
10109
Intel Core i7-1370P Intel Core i7-1370P
14C 20T @ 1.90 GHz
10095
Apple M2 Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz
10062
Apple M2 (8-GPU) Apple M2 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz
10062
Intel Core i7-11700B Intel Core i7-11700B
8C 16T @ 4.00 GHz
10050
Intel Core i9-11900F Intel Core i9-11900F
8C 16T @ 3.80 GHz
10040

iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

The theoretical computing performance of the internal graphics unit of the processor with simple accuracy (32 bit) in GFLOPS. GFLOPS indicates how many billion floating point operations the iGPU can perform per second.
AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX
AMD Radeon 680M @ 2.40 GHz
3686
Intel Core i7-8709G Intel Core i7-8709G
AMD Radeon RX Vega M GH @ 1.19 GHz
3656
Intel Core i7-8809G Intel Core i7-8809G
AMD Radeon RX Vega M GH @ 1.19 GHz
3656
Apple M2 Apple M2
Apple M2 (10 Core) @ 1.40 GHz
3550
Apple M3 Apple M3
Apple M3 (10 Core) @ 1.40 GHz
3550
AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS
AMD Radeon 680M @ 2.20 GHz
3379
AMD Ryzen 7 7736U AMD Ryzen 7 7736U
AMD Radeon 680M @ 2.20 GHz
3379

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

Some of the CPUs listed below have been benchmarked by CPU-monkey. However the majority of CPUs have not been tested and the results have been estimated by a CPU-monkey’s secret proprietary formula. As such they do not accurately reflect the actual Passmark CPU mark values and are not endorsed by PassMark Software Pty Ltd.
AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X
8C 16T @ 3.60 GHz
15627
Intel Xeon Gold 5215 Intel Xeon Gold 5215
10C 20T @ 2.50 GHz
15622
Intel Xeon D-1726 Intel Xeon D-1726
6C 12T @ 3.30 GHz
15528
Apple M2 Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz
15472
Apple M2 (8-GPU) Apple M2 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz
15472
AMD Ryzen 5 5600U AMD Ryzen 5 5600U
6C 12T @ 3.60 GHz
15456
Intel Xeon Gold 5217 Intel Xeon Gold 5217
8C 16T @ 3.50 GHz
15439

Blender 2.81 (bmw27)

Blender is a free 3D graphics software for rendering (creating) 3D bodies, which can also be textured and animated in the software. The Blender benchmark creates predefined scenes and measures the time (s) required for the entire scene. The shorter the time required, the better. We selected bmw27 as the benchmark scene.
Intel Core i9-9880H Intel Core i9-9880H
8C 16T @ 3.40 GHz
242.2
Intel Core i9-9980HK Intel Core i9-9980HK
8C 16T @ 3.40 GHz
251.2
Intel Core i7-5960X Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.20 GHz
254.1
Apple M2 Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz
277
Apple M2 (8-GPU) Apple M2 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz
277
AMD Ryzen 5 2600X AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
6C 12T @ 4.00 GHz
278.4
Intel Core i7-6850K Intel Core i7-6850K
6C 12T @ 3.60 GHz
279.7

CPU performance per watt (efficiency)

Efficiency of the processor under full load in the Cinebench R23 (multi-core) benchmark. The benchmark result is divided by the average energy required (CPU package power in watts). The higher the value, the more efficient the CPU is under full load.
AMD Ryzen 5 8640U AMD Ryzen 5 8640U
10,675 CB R23 MC @ 24 W
445
Apple M1 Apple M1
7,759 CB R23 MC @ 18 W
431
Apple M1 (7-GPU) Apple M1 (7-GPU)
7,759 CB R23 MC @ 18 W
431
Apple M2 Apple M2
8,558 CB R23 MC @ 20 W
428
Apple M2 (8-GPU) Apple M2 (8-GPU)
8,558 CB R23 MC @ 20 W
428
Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
24,028 CB R23 MC @ 57 W
422
Apple M2 Pro (10-CPU 16-GPU) Apple M2 Pro (10-CPU 16-GPU)
12,125 CB R23 MC @ 30 W
404

Performance for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)

Processors with the support of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can process many calculations, especially audio, image and video processing, much faster than classic processors. The performance is given in the number (trillions) of arithmetic operations per second (TOPS).
Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU) Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU)
6C 6T @ 3.23 GHz
15.8
Apple A15 Bionic (5-GPU) Apple A15 Bionic (5-GPU)
6C 6T @ 3.23 GHz
15.8
Apple M2 (8-GPU) Apple M2 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 0.66 GHz
15.8
Apple M2 Apple M2
8C 8T @ 0.66 GHz
15.8
Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 Qualcomm Snapdragon 870
8C 8T @ 3.20 GHz
15
Samsung Exynos 990 Samsung Exynos 990
8C 8T @ 2.73 GHz
15
Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+
8C 8T @ 3.10 GHz
15

Benchmarks


News and articles for the Apple M2

Most popular processors in the first half of 2022
Most popular processors in the first half of 2022
Posted by Stefan on 2022-07-05
In the past we had repeatedly written about our most popular processors. Since this format was quiet popular, I would like to continue this today and introduce you the most popular processors in the first half of 2022.

With more than 2 million page views per month, CPU-Monkey is one of the biggest comparison sites for processors and is currently available in 16 languages.
Apple M2 Pro with more CPU cores and production in 3 nm ?
Apple M2 Pro with more CPU cores and production in 3 nm ?
Posted by Stefan on 2022-06-28
After Apple surprisingly presented the normal Apple M2 processor as the first successor to the Apple M1 already in June 2022, the Apple M2 Pro and the Apple M2 Max may follow in autumn. The difference in performance compared to the basic version could be even greater this time and range from 25 to 40 percent.

In this article we describe how Apple could realize this and why the price should also go up.
Apple M2 vs Apple M1 - What are the differences?
Apple M2 vs Apple M1 - What are the differences?
Posted by Stefan on 2022-06-09
During WWDC 2022 on June 6th, 2022 Apple surprisingly presented its new Apple M2 processor. This will initially be installed in a completely revised Apple MacBook Air with 13.6 inches, a even thinner form factor and new colors. Apple also updated the already known (old) Apple MacBook Pro 13.3 with touch bar.

Many leakers had counted on Apple not presenting its new second-generation M processor until the fall. But things turned out differently. And there is very likely a reason for that: the improvements in the Apple M2 are limited compared to the predecessor.

Description of the processor

The Apple M2 is the further development of the Apple M1 processor. It was announced by Apple in Q2 2022 and shipped first in Q3 2022. The Apple M2 has been slightly improved compared to the Apple M1, mainly the clock frequencies have been increased, the L2 cache has been enlarged and a faster memory is used.

The Apple M2 relies on an identical chip layout, which again consists of 4 fast performance cores and 4 efficient CPU cores. Apparently, the processor is again manufactured in 5 nm, but the refreshed TSMC N4P process is probably already being used. According to the Taiwan manufacturer, this should be about 11 percent more powerful or 20 percent more efficient.

The clock frequency of the processor is now 3.5 GHz, which is an increase of 300 MHz compared to the Apple M1. The integrated graphics (iGPU) of the Apple M2 will receive a major upgrade. This now has 10 GPU cores and 160 SM processors. The Apple M1 has 8 GPU cores and 128 SM processors. In addition, Apple has increased the clock frequency of the integrated graphics by 100 MHz to 1.4 GHz.

The Apple M2 processor now uses LPDDR5-6400 memory. Above all, the memory bandwidth and thus the iGPU benefit from this. The processor now maxes out at 102 GB per second, while the Apple M1 with LPDDR4X-4266 memory only manages 68 GB per second. This is a decent improvement that is particularly noticeable in graphics-intensive work.

With the Apple M2, the manufacturer from Cupertino has another interesting mobile processor on offer that has high performance and doesnt make it easy for the competitors AMD and Intel. The processor is very efficient and has its own AI interface to speed up image and video processing.



Popular comparisons

1. Apple M2 Apple M1 Apple M2 vs Apple M1
2. Apple M2 Intel Core i7-1195G7 Apple M2 vs Intel Core i7-1195G7
3. Apple M2 Intel Core i9-12900K Apple M2 vs Intel Core i9-12900K
4. Apple M2 Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Apple M2 vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
5. Apple M2 Intel Core i9-13900K Apple M2 vs Intel Core i9-13900K
6. Apple M2 Apple M1 Pro (10-CPU 14-GPU) Apple M2 vs Apple M1 Pro (10-CPU 14-GPU)
7. Apple M2 Apple A14 Bionic Apple M2 vs Apple A14 Bionic
8. Apple M2 AMD Ryzen 9 5900X Apple M2 vs AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
9. Apple M2 Intel Core i7-12700H Apple M2 vs Intel Core i7-12700H
10. Apple A16 Bionic Apple M2 Apple A16 Bionic vs Apple M2


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