Apple M2 outperforms Ryzen 7 6800U iGPU
In graphics performance, the CPU as ever
Apple recently introduced a new M2 processor that made its way into the next-generation MacBook Air laptop and an upgraded 13-inch version of the MacBook Pro. In recent benchmarks, its increased performance has shown up as well. At WWDC22, Apple unveiled the new M2 processor, which has made its way into a new 13.6-inch version of the MacBook Air and a slightly upgraded 13.3-inch version of the MacBook Pro.
It wasn’t a major revolution this time, but a partial improvement to most parts. CPU performance has been pushed up a bit by the larger cache, CPU and GPU performance has been helped by the faster speed of the unified memory, and the higher capacity (24GB variant is now available) may also help. The GPU has also benefited significantly from the increase in cores from 7–8 to 10. While this did increase power consumption a bit, it also showed in benchmarks.
They came up with a very interesting comparison on the Hardware Unboxed channel, where they compared the M2’s performance with AMD and Intel. It wouldn’t be groundbreaking if they didn’t discover in their tests that the M2 is more powerful than the integrated graphics card in the Ryzen 7 6800U, thanks to its 10 graphics cores. On the Hardware Unboxed YouTube channel, their tests looked at power consumption, for example, which averaged 23 W and 24 W in Cinebench R23 MT, while the AMD Ryzen 7 6800U and Intel Core i7–1260P were 29 and 37 W, respectively.
The Single-Thread (ST) version was even just 8 W for the M2, while the Ryzen took 19 W and the Core i7 18 W. Thus, the consumption was less than half of Intel’s, in particular (the maximum was only 44% of Intel’s). When we look at the CPU performance in Cinebench R23 MT, Apple is not among the fastest here, and with its 8740 points, it lags behind Ryzen with 9695 points and Intel with 8871 points. In the ST variant, the Apple M2 beats the aforementioned Ryzen thanks to its 1580 points (Ryzen 1449), but it is not enough for Intel with 1714 points.
However, the efficiency of Apple is double against the comparable Intel (with the same or similar TDP). Performance is a bit lower, but consumption, as we said, was 56% lower. In video encoding in Handbrake to HEVC, Apple was losing (53.1 seconds vs. 35.6 for AMD, or 43.5 for Intel). At the same time, in Premiere Pro, the M2 can easily declass even 45W processors (556 points vs. 273, or 206), and in Blender, it was in the middle of the field (138.1 samples per minute vs. 148.5, or 130.2).
The Apple M2 also did well in Topaz Labs Gigapixel AI (4.73 seconds versus 5.12 and 4.81, respectively). So it wins on some CPU tasks and loses on others. Either way, it can do it at half the power of the competition. As for the GPU, they tested it in Shadow of the Tomb Raider. There, the GPU in the Apple M2 was roughly 7% to 10% faster than the GPU in the Ryzen 7 6800U, which is a solid result for Apple. You can see more detailed results and charts in the video posted above.
What does this mean for us? Apple is one step closer to making its hardware a full-fledged gaming platform. The mere preview of the new Metal 3 and the preparation of native games gives me the impression that Apple is up to something on the level of Apple TV. If it were to equip it with its latest chipset, one could think about Apple TV becoming a full-fledged gaming console. However, there are more unanswered questions.
Will developers be willing to develop their games more extensively for Apple’s platform, as their special engine needs to be used, and they are building on the ARM architecture, which will mean a lot of extra work. It won’t be entirely easy just to make ports of existing games.
The other question I can think of in this context is that users have recently perceived Apple computers as computers designed for work. Won’t this bring a productivity gap? But Apple is certainly thinking ahead to this with their Focus app.
However, let’s keep our feet on the ground. Just because Apple’s Silicon M2 gave better results in the benchmark doesn’t mean it could sustain such results in the long-term stresses of gaming. Either way, this is a very interesting result, as the M1 has already shown it will be a very good workhorse in the basic version, at least for the hobby sector.
What does this mean for us as ordinary consumers?
Just by reaffirming how powerful a machine the MacBook with M2 can be if needed. I’ve been pleased beyond measure with the M1, and the M2 will only elevate. It will just take time for people to adapt to the new capabilities the M2 brings. In any case, you need to think of the base M2 as the entry chipset, and if you still have a MacBook with Intel, then you won’t care if you buy a machine with M1 or M2. It will be a huge leap forward. Just in the case of M2, you will have to pay a little extra, and if you need great performance, then in the meantime, you better look at machines with M1 Pro, M1 Max, or even M1 Ultra. You won’t get anything better at the moment.
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