The first benchmark results for Apple's new M2 Ultra chip have surfaced on Geekbench 6, providing a closer look at CPU performance improvements for the latest Macs. So far, the benchmark results are only for the Mac Studio with the M2 Ultra chip, but the scores should be equal or better for the Mac Pro with the same chip.
In early results, the M2 Ultra chip appears to have single-core and multi-core scores of up to approximately 2,800 and 21,700, respectively. This means the new Mac Pro should have around 2× faster overall CPU performance compared to the fastest Intel-based Mac Pro with a 28-core Xeon W processor, which has an average multi-core score of 10,382 on Geekbench 6. This feat is even more impressive given that the new Mac Pro starts at $6,999, while the 28-core Intel-based model started at $12,999, nearly double the price.
In a press release, Apple said the new Mac Pro is up to 3× faster than the highest-end Intel-based model that it sold, but this figure only applies to select "real-world pro workflows like video transcoding and 3D simulation."
The primary reason to consider the Mac Pro over the Mac Studio is for the desktop tower's six available PCIe expansion slots. Otherwise, customers should consider the Mac Studio, as it can be configured with the M2 Ultra for $3,000 less than the Mac Pro. For a more detailed comparison, read our Mac Studio vs. Mac Pro Buyer's Guide.
The new Mac Studio and Mac Pro are available to order now, and will begin arriving to customers and launch in stores on Tuesday, June 13.