Apple M1 Ultra
Apple M1 Ultra: Power and Efficiency in One Chip
March 2025
1. Key specifications: Architecture, process technology, performance
Architecture and process technology
The Apple M1 Ultra, introduced in 2022, remains a benchmark of engineering excellence even in 2025. It is the world's first processor that combines two M1 Max chips into a single system (UltraFusion technology). The process technology is 5 nm (TSMC), with 114 billion transistors. The architecture is ARMv8.4-A featuring Firestorm (performance) and Icestorm (energy-efficient) cores.
Performance
- 20 cores (16P + 4E), 20 threads (Hyper-Threading is absent).
- Frequencies: 2.0 GHz (base for P-cores), up to 3.2 GHz in turbo mode.
- GPU: 64 cores, 21 TFLOPs.
- Geekbench 6: 2390 (Single-Core), 18219 (Multi-Core). For comparison, the Ryzen 9 7950X (2023) scores around ~2800/22000 but consumes twice as much power.
Key Features
- Unified Memory (up to 128 GB LPDDR5-6400): data is available to CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine simultaneously.
- Neural Engine (32 cores): 22 TOPS for AI tasks.
- Hardware acceleration for codecs (ProRes, H.265).
2. Compatible motherboards
Apple platform features
The M1 Ultra is part of a system-on-chip (SoC) integrated into Apple devices. There are no standalone motherboards for it. The chip is only installed in:
- Mac Studio (2022–2024).
- Mac Pro (2023), but with limited upgrade options.
Chipsets and sockets
- Integrated PCIe 4.0 controller (up to 128 lanes), but Apple uses proprietary connectors.
- For peripheral connections — Thunderbolt 4/USB4 (up to 6 ports).
Advice: For maximum M1 Ultra performance, choose a Mac Studio with enhanced cooling system.
3. Supported memory
Unified Memory instead of DDR
- Type: LPDDR5-6400.
- Capacity: 64 GB (base), 128 GB (optional).
- Bandwidth: 800 GB/s — four times higher than DDR5-6400.
Features
- Memory is soldered onto the chip: upgrades are impossible.
- For professional tasks (8K video, 3D rendering), it’s better to choose 128 GB.
4. Power supply recommendations
Power consumption
- TDP: 120 W (peak load — up to 200 W).
- Mac Studio is equipped with a 370 W power supply, which covers the chip and peripheral consumption.
Tips
- For stable operation of Mac Studio, do not use UPS with a power rating below 500 W.
- When connecting external GPUs (via Thunderbolt), consider their power consumption.
5. Pros and Cons
Pros
- Energy Efficiency: 3.2 GHz at 120 W vs. 5 GHz for competitors at 250+ W.
- Integration with macOS: optimized for Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Xcode.
- Quiet Operation: passive cooling in most scenarios.
Cons
- Price: Mac Studio with M1 Ultra ranges from $3500 (base) to $7000 (128 GB + 8 TB SSD).
- No upgrades: RAM and SSD are soldered.
- Limited compatibility: x86 software runs via Rosetta 2 with a 10–20% performance loss.
6. Use cases
Professional tasks
- Video editing: Real-time 8K ProRes rendering (for example, editing in DaVinci Resolve on Mac Studio takes half the time compared to a PC with RTX 4090).
- 3D modeling: Blender, Cinema4D — utilizing the Metal API.
- Machine learning: training models in TensorFlow using the Neural Engine.
Gaming
- Not a primary niche, but Baldur’s Gate 3 (ARM version) achieves 60 FPS at 4K.
- Windows emulation via Parallels — suitable for less demanding projects.
Multimedia
- 8K streaming without lags.
7. Comparison with competitors
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7970X (2024)
- 32 cores, 64 threads, 350 W.
- Geekbench 6 Multi-Core: ~24000, but Single-Core — 2100.
- Price: $2500 (CPU only).
Intel Core i9-14900KS (2024)
- 24 cores (8P + 16E), 320 W.
- Geekbench 6: 3100/23000.
- Price: $700.
Conclusion: The M1 Ultra excels in energy efficiency and tasks optimized for Apple Silicon but falls short in multithreading compared to high-end desktop CPUs.
8. Practical assembly tips
What to consider
- Choosing a device: Mac Studio vs. Mac Pro. The former is more compact and cheaper, while the latter is for those needing PCIe slots.
- Configuration: 128 GB of memory is essential for working with neural networks or heavy 3D tasks.
- Peripherals: Thunderbolt drives (like SanDisk Extreme Pro 1600 MB/s) for fast data access.
Example assembly (Mac Studio):
- M1 Ultra (64-core GPU), 128 GB RAM, 4 TB SSD — $6500.
- Monitor: Pro Display XDR (32″, 6K) — $5000.
9. Final conclusion: Who is the M1 Ultra for?
Ideal user:
- Professionals in video, music, and 3D graphics using macOS.
- Developers working with iOS applications and AI.
- Those who value quiet operation and minimalism.
Not recommended for:
- Gamers (better off with a PC with RTX 5080).
- Enthusiasts who enjoy upgrading hardware.
Why is it still relevant in 2025?
Apple has yet to release a successor to the M1 Ultra, and its balance of power and efficiency remains unparalleled for niche tasks.
Prices are stated for new devices as of March 2025. The relevance of the data is confirmed by open sources.
