First Apple M2 benchmark pops up online, shows performance rivaling Intel i9-12900K

The Apple M2 logo ringed by a semi-rainbow dropshadow against a off-white background
(Image credit: Apple)

Following Apple’s WWDC 2022 event and the subsequent reveal of its latest silicon, the Apple M2, new benchmarks for the chip are popping up -- and packing a punch. 

As seen on the Geekbench Database, and reported by 9to5mac, this is the first benchmark yet of the new silicon. It appears to back up Apple’s claimed M1 vs M2 comparison: Apple says the M2 CPU is 18% faster than the M1 CPU, and the M2 GPU is 35% faster than the one in the M1.

The benchmark shows the M2’s speed clocking in at 3.49GHz compared to the M1's 3.2GHz, which is a roughly 9% increase. The M2’s single-core performance is about 11.56% faster than the M1, and the multi-core performance for the M2 is 19.45% faster than the M1.

When TechRadar is able to test the M2 ourselves, we'll be better able to assess these performance scores and whether they are legit, but it looks like Apple has produced a seriously impressive chip.


Analysis: Apple's decision to ditch Intel looks better with every release

Apple's decision to drop Intel in favor of its own silicon becomes even more of a prescient move with every chip Apple puts out. 

If the Geekbench scores are to be believed, Apple's M2 chip is beat only in single core performance by Intel Alder Lake's Core i9 12900-K and i9 12900-KF chips, which is a stunning result if true considering that these are desktop-class processors, not the mobile Alder Lake variants.

Apple's jump away from Intel was a major blow to Team Blue, without question. But the past year has been a great one for Intel thanks to the phenomenal performance of its new Alder Lake processors. If Apple M2 starts putting up the same kind of numbers we're seeing in these leaked benchmarks, Alder Lake might not be the talk of the town for long.

Allisa James
Computing Staff Writer

Named by the CTA as a CES 2023 Media Trailblazer, Allisa is a Computing Staff Writer who covers breaking news and rumors in the computing industry, as well as reviews, hands-on previews, featured articles, and the latest deals and trends. In her spare time you can find her chatting it up on her two podcasts, Megaten Marathon and Combo Chain, as well as playing any JRPGs she can get her hands on.