Apple M5 Ultra 30 Cores: Lower-End Version with a 64-Core GPU and Up to 256 GB of Memory

The Apple M5 Ultra 30 Cores is the lower-end of the two M5 Ultra versions for the 2026 Mac Studio. It differs from the higher-end model in the number of CPU and GPU cores and its 256 GB memory limit. The chip includes 30 CPU cores and a 64-core GPU, while unified memory bandwidth is 1.2 TB/s. In the retail Mac Studio, the M5 Ultra scores around 37.8 thousand points in Geekbench 6 Multi-Core-approximately 25% more than the M5 Max. Computer prices start at $5,499.

M5 Ultra 30 Cores vs. the 36-Core Version

Apple offers the M5 Ultra in two configurations. The lower-end version has 30 CPU cores and 64 GPU cores, while the higher-end version has 36 and 80, respectively.

The higher-end version costs $1,300 more and offers 20% more CPU cores and 25% more GPU cores. Memory bandwidth remains the same.

The 30-core version supports a maximum of 256 GB of unified memory. The 512 GB configuration is available only with the 36-core CPU and 80-core GPU.

CPU Performance

The first M5 Ultra results appeared before Mac Studio sales began and differed noticeably from subsequent tests of retail systems.

In single-threaded Geekbench 6, the M5 Ultra is practically indistinguishable from the M5 Max. The difference between 4318 and 4341 points is within the normal run-to-run variance.

The difference is noticeable in the multithreaded test. The M5 Ultra is approximately 25% faster than the 18-core M5 Max.

Compared with the base 28-core M3 Ultra, the increase is about 35% in Single-Core and 42% in Multi-Core. This result cannot be explained solely by increasing the core count from 28 to 30-the new architecture plays a significant role.

64-Core GPU

The M5 Ultra 30 Cores comes with a 64-core GPU. The difference in GPU core count compared with the M5 Max is considerably greater than the difference in CPU cores.

In Geekbench Metal, the 64-core GPU scores around 330 thousand points. The 80-core version is faster in GPU workloads and is better suited to rendering and other computations capable of using the additional graphics cores.

A 64-core GPU provides no advantage in purely CPU workloads. As a result, the M5 Ultra’s value is particularly apparent in workloads that use the CPU and graphics simultaneously.

Memory and Local AI

The M5 Ultra 30 Cores supports up to 256 GB of unified memory with 1.2 TB/s of bandwidth.

The CPU and GPU use the same unified memory without transferring data between separate system RAM and video memory. This approach is especially useful for large 3D scenes, complex video projects, and local AI models that require a large amount of memory.

If the workload fits within 256 GB of memory, upgrading to the 36-core version solely for additional memory capacity is unnecessary. Projects that require more will have to use the higher-end M5 Ultra with support for 512 GB.

M5 Ultra or M5 Max

The Mac Studio with the M5 Max starts at $2,499, while the M5 Ultra costs $5,499 and up. The difference is $3,000.

At the same time, the processors have practically identical single-threaded performance, while the 30-core M5 Ultra’s advantage in Geekbench 6 Multi is around 25%.

Therefore, the premium for the M5 Ultra is not related only to the CPU. It provides a 64-core GPU, 1.2 TB/s of memory bandwidth, and the ability to install up to 256 GB of unified memory.

For development, photo processing, and other workloads that do not need dozens of CPU cores and hundreds of gigabytes of memory, the M5 Max is considerably cheaper while offering nearly the same single-threaded performance.

Price

The Mac Studio with the M5 Ultra 30 Cores, a 64-core GPU, 96 GB of unified memory, and a 1 TB SSD starts at $5,499.

Upgrading to the M5 Ultra 36 Cores and an 80-core GPU increases the price to $6,799. The difference is $1,300.

If 256 GB of memory is sufficient and applications scale poorly across the additional 16 GPU cores, paying $1,300 more for the higher-end version offers little benefit. There is no choice for a 512 GB memory configuration-it requires the 36-core M5 Ultra.

Conclusion

The M5 Ultra 30 Cores is barely faster than the M5 Max in single-threaded Geekbench 6, but outpaces it by approximately 25% in Multi-Core.

The reason to move to the Ultra is not just the CPU. The chip offers a 64-core GPU, 1.2 TB/s of memory bandwidth, and support for up to 256 GB of unified memory.

At $5,499, the M5 Ultra is not worth buying solely for the CPU performance increase. Its advantages emerge in workloads that simultaneously require many CPU cores, a 64-core GPU, and a large amount of unified memory.

If a 64-core GPU and 256 GB of memory are sufficient, there is no need to pay an additional $1,300 for the 36-core version. The higher-end model is primarily needed for maximum GPU performance and systems with 512 GB of memory.