Apple introduced the M2 Ultra, an exceptional system-on-a-chip (SoC) that brings substantial performance improvements to Mac devices and completes the M2 family. This chip, Apple’s most significant and capable creation to date, empowers the new Mac Studio and Mac Pro, making them the most powerful Mac desktops ever manufactured.
Everything You Have to Know about Apple’s new top-of-the-line SoC – Apple M2 Ultra
Built on a second-generation 5-nanometer process and utilizing Apple’s revolutionary UltraFusion technology, the M2 Ultra connects two M2 Max chips, effectively doubling the performance. With an impressive 134 billion transistors, 20 billion more than the M1 Ultra, it boasts a unified memory architecture supporting an unprecedented 192GB of memory capacity, 50 percent more than the M1 Ultra, and offers 800GB/s of memory bandwidth, twice that of the M2 Max.
The M2 Ultra also includes a more powerful CPU, 20 percent faster than the M1 Ultra, a larger GPU with up to 30 percent faster performance, and a Neural Engine that operates 40 percent faster. Additionally, it features an enhanced media engine, delivering double the capabilities of the M2 Max for accelerated ProRes processing.
According to Johny Srouji, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Technologies, the M2 Ultra presents remarkable performance and capabilities for professional users, maintaining Apple’s industry-leading power efficiency. The chip’s 24-core CPU, comprising 16 high-performance and eight high-efficiency cores, offers up to 20 percent faster performance than the M1 Ultra.
For example, colorists using DaVinci Resolve on the Mac Studio powered by the M2 Ultra can experience video processing speeds up to 50 percent faster than with the M1 Ultra. The GPU, configurable with either 60 or 76 next-generation cores, provides up to 30 percent better performance compared to the already powerful GPU of the M1 Ultra. Rendering 3D effects using Octane on the Mac Studio equipped with the M2 Ultra is up to three times faster than with the M1 Ultra.
Apple’s unified memory architecture, renowned for its bandwidth, low latency, and power efficiency, supports 800GB/s of system memory bandwidth and can be configured with an immense 192GB of unified memory, enabling workflows that were previously unattainable.
Furthermore, the M2 Ultra integrates Apple’s latest custom technologies, such as a 32-core Neural Engine delivering 40 percent faster performance than the M1 Ultra, an advanced media engine with double the capabilities of the M2 Max, and a display engine capable of driving more than 100 million pixels across six Pro Display XDRs. The chip also includes the latest Secure Enclave for enhanced security.
The M2 Ultra’s power-efficient performance not only caters to demanding professional users but also demonstrates Apple’s commitment to environmental responsibility. As part of Apple’s larger environmental goals, the company aims to achieve net-zero climate impact by 2030, ensuring that every chip, from design to manufacturing, is 100 percent carbon neutral.
With the introduction of the M2 Ultra powering the new Mac Pro, Apple completes the transition to Apple silicon, revolutionizing the laptop and desktop experience. This marks the beginning of a new era for Mac devices, driven by continuous innovation in Apple silicon.
