Apple M2 vs Apple M1 Pro

Aggregate performance score

Apple M1 Pro
2021
10 cores / 10 threads, 2064 Watt
11.24
+15.2%

Apple M1 Pro outperforms Apple M2 by a moderate 15% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Apple M1 Pro and Apple M2 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking708804
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Market segmentLaptopLaptop
SeriesApple M-SeriesApple Apple M-Series
Power efficiencyno data44.50
Release date18 October 2021 (3 years ago)10 June 2022 (2 years ago)

Detailed specifications

Apple M1 Pro and Apple M2 basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores10 (Deca-Core)8 (Octa-Core)
Threads108
Base clock speed2.064 GHz2.424 GHz
Boost clock speed3.22 GHz3.48 GHz
L1 cache2.9 MB2 MB
L2 cache28 MB20 MB
L3 cache24 MBno data
Chip lithography5 nm5 nm
Number of transistors33700 Million20000 Million
64 bit support++

Compatibility

Information on Apple M1 Pro and Apple M2 compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Power consumption (TDP)2064 ‑ 3220 Watt20 Watt

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardApple M1 Pro 16-Core GPUApple M2 10-Core GPU ( - 1398 MHz)

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

Apple M1 Pro 11.24
+15.2%
Apple M2 9.76

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

Apple M1 Pro 17196
+15.2%
Apple M2 14933

Cinebench 15 64-bit multi-core

Cinebench Release 15 Multi Core is a variant of Cinebench R15 which uses all the processor threads.

Apple M1 Pro 1690
+39.1%
Apple M2 1215

Cinebench 15 64-bit single-core

Cinebench R15 (standing for Release 15) is a benchmark made by Maxon, authors of Cinema 4D. It was superseded by later versions of Cinebench, which use more modern variants of Cinema 4D engine. The Single Core version (sometimes called Single-Thread) only uses a single processor thread to render a room full of reflective spheres and light sources.

Apple M1 Pro 209
Apple M2 223
+6.7%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 11.24 9.76
Recency 18 October 2021 10 June 2022
Physical cores 10 8
Threads 10 8
Power consumption (TDP) 2064 Watt 20 Watt

Apple M1 Pro has a 15.2% higher aggregate performance score, and 25% more physical cores and 25% more threads.

Apple M2, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 7 months, and 10220% lower power consumption.

The Apple M1 Pro is our recommended choice as it beats the Apple M2 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Apple M1 Pro and Apple M2, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Apple M1 Pro
M1 Pro
Apple M2
M2

Similar processor comparisons

We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.

Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


4.2 402 votes

Rate Apple M1 Pro on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
3.5 587 votes

Rate Apple M2 on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Apple M1 Pro or Apple M2, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.