Tested: Does Apple's M2 Chip Raise the Floor for Graphics Performance?
Apple's newest in-house chip, the M2, promises better performance, longer battery life, and beefed-up graphics. We've already tested the new processor for general applications and reviewed the first laptop with it, the 2022 edition of the 13-inch MacBook Pro. We've also commented on the enhanced capabilities that this new M2 system-on-a-chip (SoC) brings to the latest Macs. But what does the M2 have to offer for graphics and gaming?
According to Apple, the M2 delivers faster graphics as well as more processing power. Naturally, that makes us curious about how its beefed-up GPU compares to those of the older M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, as well as the original M1. Does the M2 set a new standard for integrated graphics on Apple machines? We went back to the test bench to find out.
The M2 chip brings a laundry list of upgrades, from its total transistor count to wider memory bandwidth, and it also boasts a faster neural engine and ProRes acceleration. Most important to this discussion, though: The M2 processor can have more GPU cores than the M1 chip. The base version of the M1 comes in variants with seven or eight GPU cores, while the M2 comes in versions of eight cores or 10 cores.
The added GPU cores mean more muscle dedicated to graphics performance, but the other improvements in the chip should contribute as well, such as its increased bandwidth and more energy-efficient design.
According to Apple, the M2 packs 25% higher graphics performance than the M1 when using the same amount of power. At maximum power, the advertised performance boost climbs to 35% over the best the M1 can do. That should translate into smoother, faster performance in games and other graphics-intensive apps for anyone using the new M2-powered MacBook
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