CPU·Entry
M2
Apple
PassMark
14,933
10 June 2022 (3 years ago)
20 Watt
Performance Spectrum - CPU
M2
8 / 8
14,933
0.0%
About PassMark
PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.
Overview
The M2 is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 10 June 2022 (3 years ago). It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.424 GHz, with boost up to 3.48 GHz. L2 cache: 20 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 20 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 14,933 points. Launch price was $149.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.
FPS Benchmarks
Predicted performance for M2 across popular games. Tested paired with RTX 4090 to isolate CPU performance.
Counter-Strike 2
1080p
low288 FPS
medium246 FPS
high213 FPS
ultra166 FPS
1440p
low248 FPS
medium220 FPS
high193 FPS
ultra150 FPS
4k
low174 FPS
medium159 FPS
high136 FPS
ultra106 FPS
Deadlock
1080p
low175 FPS
medium154 FPS
high138 FPS
ultra109 FPS
1440p
low158 FPS
medium142 FPS
high127 FPS
ultra99 FPS
4k
low91 FPS
medium79 FPS
high64 FPS
ultra55 FPS
Fortnite
1080p
low300 FPS
medium241 FPS
high147 FPS
ultra108 FPS
1440p
low186 FPS
medium150 FPS
high109 FPS
ultra76 FPS
4k
low103 FPS
medium85 FPS
high72 FPS
ultra54 FPS
League of Legends
1080p
low373 FPS
medium373 FPS
high373 FPS
ultra373 FPS
1440p
low373 FPS
medium373 FPS
high373 FPS
ultra363 FPS
4k
low373 FPS
medium314 FPS
high277 FPS
ultra221 FPS
Minecraft
1080p
low373 FPS
medium373 FPS
high234 FPS
ultra160 FPS
1440p
low368 FPS
medium307 FPS
high179 FPS
ultra125 FPS
4k
low280 FPS
medium235 FPS
high119 FPS
ultra72 FPS
Palworld
1080p
low205 FPS
medium184 FPS
high150 FPS
ultra134 FPS
1440p
low175 FPS
medium159 FPS
high132 FPS
ultra116 FPS
4k
low119 FPS
medium109 FPS
high90 FPS
ultra74 FPS
Path of Exile 2
1080p
low175 FPS
medium140 FPS
high113 FPS
ultra90 FPS
1440p
low141 FPS
medium111 FPS
high88 FPS
ultra69 FPS
4k
low66 FPS
medium55 FPS
high44 FPS
ultra35 FPS
Phasmophobia
1080p
low361 FPS
medium328 FPS
high314 FPS
ultra259 FPS
1440p
low346 FPS
medium319 FPS
high304 FPS
ultra250 FPS
4k
low226 FPS
medium218 FPS
high209 FPS
ultra170 FPS
Roblox
1080p
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
1440p
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
4k
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
Rust
1080p
low167 FPS
medium137 FPS
high113 FPS
ultra100 FPS
1440p
low136 FPS
medium115 FPS
high97 FPS
ultra78 FPS
4k
low60 FPS
medium49 FPS
high40 FPS
ultra28 FPS
Technical Analysis
Detailed breakdown of M2 specifications and capabilities.
⚡
Processing Power
The M2 is a 8-core / 8-thread processor, manufactured on a 5 nm process node. It reaches a maximum boost clock of 3.48 GHz from a base frequency of 2.424 GHz— higher boost clocks directly translate to better single-threaded performance and responsiveness in gaming. In the PassMark benchmark (a comprehensive multi-threaded test), it scores 14,933, placing it in the Budget performance tier as a Aging generation product.
| Specification | M2 |
|---|---|
| Cores / ThreadsPhysical/logical processing units | 8C / 8T |
| Max Boost ClockPeak single-core speed under boost | 3.48 GHz |
| Base ClockGuaranteed minimum operating frequency | 2.424 GHz |
| Process NodeFabrication technology — smaller = more efficient | 5 nm |
| L2 CachePer-core fast cache for frequently accessed data | 20 MB |
| L1 CacheUltra-fast per-core cache | 2 MB |
| Transistor CountMore transistors = more capabilities | 20000 Million |
| 64-bit Support | Yes |
| PassMark ScoreOverall multi-threaded benchmark score | 14,933 |
🧠
Memory & Platform
The M2 fits into the none socket and supports PCIe 4.0. It supports LPDDR5 memory.
| Specification | M2 |
|---|---|
| TypeDesktop or Laptop processor | Laptop |
| SeriesProduct family | Apple Apple M-Series |
| SocketMotherboard socket required | none |
| PCIe GenerationPeripheral interconnect speed — affects GPU and SSD bandwidth | PCIe 4.0 |
| RAM TypeSupported memory standard | LPDDR5 |
🌡️
Power & Cooling
The M2 has a rated TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 20 Watt — this indicates the amount of heat generated under sustained load and determines what cooling solution is needed.
| Specification | M2 |
|---|---|
| TDPThermal Design Power — heat output under sustained workload | 20 Watt |
💰
Value Analysis
Performance ranking position: #1016 out of all indexed processors.
| Specification | M2 |
|---|---|
| Launch PriceOriginal retail price at launch | $149 |
| Performance RankPosition in overall performance ranking | #1016 |
| Release DateLaunch date | 10 June 2022 (3 years ago) |
| Release Year | 2022 |
| DesignerArchitecture designer (e.g. Intel, AMD) | Apple |
Similar Performance
Processors with benchmark scores closest to the current hardware, grouped by manufacturer.
Intel (12)
Core i9-11900TPassmark: 18,620
8 Cores16 ThrdMax: 4.9 GHz2021
Core 5 210HPassmark: 18,602
8 Cores12 ThrdMax: 4.8 GHz2024
Core i5-1340PPassmark: 18,594
12 Cores16 ThrdMax: 4.6 GHz2023
Core i7-10700KPassmark: 18,561
8 Cores16 ThrdMax: 5.1 GHz2020
Core i7-1360PPassmark: 18,519
12 Cores16 ThrdMax: 5 GHz2023
Core Ultra 5 225UPassmark: 18,434
12 Cores14 ThrdMax: 4.8 GHz2025
Core Ultra 5 226VPassmark: 18,400
8 Cores8 ThrdMax: 4.5 GHz2024
Core i7-10700KFPassmark: 18,380
8 Cores16 ThrdMax: 5.1 GHz2020
Core Ultra 5 236VPassmark: 18,313
8 Cores8 ThrdMax: 4.7 GHz2024
Core Ultra 5 238VPassmark: 18,219
8 Cores8 ThrdMax: 4.7 GHz2024
Core i7-9800XPassmark: 18,128
8 Cores16 ThrdMax: 4.5 GHz2018
Core i9-9900KPassmark: 18,109
8 Cores16 ThrdMax: 5 GHz2018
AMD (12)
Ryzen 5 7540UPassmark: 18,607
6 Cores12 ThrdMax: 4.9 GHz2023
Ryzen 5 6600HPassmark: 18,578
6 Cores12 ThrdMax: 4.5 GHz2022
Ryzen 7 PRO 7735UPassmark: 18,555
8 Cores16 ThrdMax: 4.75 GHz2023
Ryzen 5 3600XTPassmark: 18,552
6 Cores12 ThrdMax: 4.5 GHz2020
Ryzen Embedded V2748Passmark: 18,434
8 Cores16 ThrdMax: 4.25 GHz2020
Ryzen 7 PRO 4750GEPassmark: 18,409
8 Cores16 ThrdMax: 4.3 GHz2020
Ryzen Z1Passmark: 18,406
6 Cores12 ThrdMax: 4.9 GHz2023
Ryzen 5 8540UPassmark: 18,359
6 Cores12 ThrdMax: 4.9 GHz2023
Ryzen 7 PRO 7730UPassmark: 18,191
8 Cores16 ThrdMax: 4.5 GHz2023
Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GEPassmark: 18,169
6 Cores12 ThrdMax: 4.4 GHz2024
Ryzen 5 PRO 5650GEPassmark: 18,155
6 Cores12 ThrdMax: 4.4 GHz2021
Ryzen 5 3600XPassmark: 18,136
6 Cores12 ThrdMax: 4.4 GHz2019
Our Recommendation for M2
Suggested pairings based on performance balance
Minimum (Avoid Bottleneck) (12)
Quadro T1000 Max-QG3D Mark: 5,000
4 GBCore: 765 MHz2019
Radeon R9 M295X Mac EditionG3D Mark: 5,000
2 GBCore: 850 MHz2014
QuadroG3D Mark: 5,000
2 GBCore: 135 MHz1999
Radeon HD 7970M CrossfireG3D Mark: 5,000
2 GBCore: 850 MHz2012
Quadro T1000 (móvel)G3D Mark: 5,000
4 GBCore: 1395 MHz2019
M1 8-Core GPUG3D Mark: 5,000
2 GBCore: 1278 MHz2020
GeForce GTX 460 OEMG3D Mark: 5,000
2 GBCore: 650 MHz2010
GeForce GTX 1630G3D Mark: 4,992
4 GBCore: 1740 MHz2022
Radeon R9 M395G3D Mark: 4,934
2 GBCore: 834 MHz2015
RTXA5000-8QG3D Mark: 4,916
2 GBCore: 1170 MHz2021
FirePro S9050G3D Mark: 4,901
4 GBCore: 900 MHz2014
CMP 30HXG3D Mark: 4,892
2 GBCore: 1530 MHz2021
Recommended (Balanced) (12)
GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q DesignG3D Mark: 9,842
8 GBCore: 1215 MHz2017
GeForce GTX 1060 3GBG3D Mark: 9,815
3 GBCore: 1506 MHz2016
Arc A730MG3D Mark: 9,808
12 GBCore: 1100 MHz2022
Radeon 8040SG3D Mark: 9,756
4 GBCore: 1295 MHz2025
Radeon R9 Fury + Fury XG3D Mark: 9,741
4 GB2015
Radeon RX 6550MG3D Mark: 9,705
4 GBCore: 2000 MHz2023
GeForce RTX 2060 with Max-Q DesignG3D Mark: 9,674
6 GBCore: 975 MHz2020
GeForce GTX 970G3D Mark: 9,640
4 GBCore: 1050 MHz2014
Radeon RX 6500 XTG3D Mark: 9,603
4 GBCore: 2610 MHz2022
GRID P40-2QG3D Mark: 9,581
4 GBCore: 557 MHz2015
Radeon RX Vega Ryzen 5 5600GTG3D Mark: 9,558
Shared System RAM2020
Radeon R9 FuryG3D Mark: 9,521
4 GB2015
High-End (Max Performance) (12)
Radeon Pro W6800XG3D Mark: 18,000
32 GBCore: 1800 MHz2021
Radeon 8060SG3D Mark: 17,989
noneCore: 1295 MHz2025
Quadro RTX 6000G3D Mark: 17,887
24 GBCore: 1440 MHz2018
GeForce GTX 1070 SLIG3D Mark: 17,790
8 GBCore: 1506 MHz2016
GeForce GTX 1070 SLI (móvel)G3D Mark: 17,790
8 GBCore: 1443 MHz2016
GeForce RTX 3070 Ti Laptop GPUG3D Mark: 17,621
8 GBCore: 1575 MHz2021
GeForce RTX 3070 Ti MobileG3D Mark: 17,621
8 GBCore: 915 MHz2022
Radeon Pro W5700XG3D Mark: 17,591
16 GBCore: 1243 MHz2019
Radeon Pro W6900XG3D Mark: 17,413
32 GBCore: 1825 MHz2021
GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPUG3D Mark: 17,400
8 GBCore: 2310 MHz2023
GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop GPUG3D Mark: 17,374
8 GBCore: 2407 MHz2025
Radeon RX 6850M XTG3D Mark: 17,350
12 GBCore: 2321 MHz2022
Popular Comparisons
Compare M2 with other popular CPUs
Compare M2
See how this CPU stacks up against similar alternatives
Better Alternatives (8)
M2
8 Cores8 ThrdMax: 3.48 GHz2022
VS
8 Cores16 ThrdMax: 2.9 GHz2017
M2
8 Cores8 ThrdMax: 3.48 GHz2022
VS
10 Cores12 ThrdMax: 5.4 GHz2024
M2
8 Cores8 ThrdMax: 3.48 GHz2022
VS
16 Cores32 ThrdMax: 2.7 GHz2017
M2
8 Cores8 ThrdMax: 3.48 GHz2022
VS
6 Cores12 ThrdMax: 4.3 GHz2022
M2
8 Cores8 ThrdMax: 3.48 GHz2022
VS
10 Cores20 ThrdMax: 3.2 GHz2017
M2
8 Cores8 ThrdMax: 3.48 GHz2022
VS
8 Cores16 ThrdMax: 5 GHz2019
M2
8 Cores8 ThrdMax: 3.48 GHz2022
VS
10 Cores20 ThrdMax: 1.8 GHz2016
M2
8 Cores8 ThrdMax: 3.48 GHz2022
VS
6 Cores12 ThrdMax: 4.2 GHz2021
Similar or Lower Performance (8)
M2
8 Cores8 ThrdMax: 3.48 GHz2022
VS
12 Cores24 ThrdMax: 3 GHz2017
M2
8 Cores8 ThrdMax: 3.48 GHz2022
VS
12 Cores24 ThrdMax: 2.9 GHz2015
M2
8 Cores8 ThrdMax: 3.48 GHz2022
VS
12 Cores24 ThrdMax: 3.3 GHz2014
M2
8 Cores8 ThrdMax: 3.48 GHz2022
VS
8 Cores16 ThrdMax: 3.1 GHz2022
M2
8 Cores8 ThrdMax: 3.48 GHz2022
VS
10 Cores20 ThrdMax: 3.5 GHz2014
M2
8 Cores8 ThrdMax: 3.48 GHz2022
VS
8 Cores16 ThrdMax: 4.1 GHz2020
M2
8 Cores8 ThrdMax: 3.48 GHz2022
VS
8 Cores16 ThrdMax: 3.7 GHz2017
M2
8 Cores8 ThrdMax: 3.48 GHz2022
VS
10 Cores20 ThrdMax: 4.6 GHz2020
