# M6 and M5 Ultra benchmark scores reveal next-gen Mac performance Apple's new chips show significant performance gains over predecessors - **Source:** [Cult of Mac](https://brifing.si/source/7e2968d9-bc24-4286-8f9e-146807f06336) - **Published:** 2026-09-16 - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/70b00dea-26cc-4444-8c36-6f4e3a25805c ## M5 Ultra performance leap The M5 Ultra chip scores 3,774 in Geekbench 7's single-core test and 52,516 in multi-core, surpassing the M3 Ultra's 2,920 and 39,059. This represents a 30% single-core and 35% multi-core performance improvement over Apple's previous top-tier chip. The updated CPU and GPU cores enable these gains while maintaining Apple's power efficiency standards. ## M6's surprising strength Apple's entry-level M6 chip achieves 4,071 in single-core and 22,783 in multi-core benchmarks. Its single-core performance even exceeds the M5 Ultra's, thanks to a newer CPU core architecture. The 12-core M6 outperforms the 20-core M1 Ultra in multi-core tests, demonstrating significant architectural improvements in Apple's silicon design. ## Comparative advantage The M5 Ultra's multi-core score of 52,516 dwarfs the M5 Max's 35,656 and exceeds all x86-based CPUs from Intel and AMD. The M6 shows 12% better single-core and 26% better multi-core performance than M5 chips. These benchmarks suggest Apple continues extending its performance lead over competitors in specific workloads. ## Product positioning The M5 Ultra will power high-end Mac Studio models, while the M6 targets the Mac mini line. This segmentation maintains clear performance tiers in Apple's product stack. The M6's capabilities blur traditional boundaries between entry-level and prosumer chips, potentially reshaping Apple's future product roadmap. ## Architectural improvements The M6's ability to outperform higher-core-count predecessors indicates fundamental changes in Apple's CPU design. Efficiency cores likely see major upgrades, allowing fewer cores to achieve more work. The single-core leadership suggests clock speed increases or IPC improvements in the performance cores. ## Thermal considerations The benchmark results don't reveal thermal performance or sustained workload capabilities. Apple's previous chips maintained performance under load better than competitors. The M5 Ultra's high multi-core score suggests robust cooling will be essential in Mac Studio implementations. ## Professional workflow implications The M5 Ultra's 35% multi-core gain could significantly reduce render times in video editing and 3D rendering. The M6's strong single-core performance benefits everyday tasks and lightly-threaded applications. Developers may need to optimize software to fully utilize these architectural changes. ## Market impact These benchmarks strengthen Apple's position in creative professional markets. The performance gains may accelerate the transition from Intel-based systems. Competing chipmakers face increasing pressure to match Apple's architectural innovations and performance-per-watt metrics. ## Future expectations The M6's architecture likely previews Apple's next-generation designs. Future Pro and Max variants could deliver even greater gains. These benchmarks suggest Apple's silicon team continues executing an aggressive roadmap, maintaining their two-year performance doubling trajectory. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.cultofmac.com/news/m6-m5-ultra-benchmark-scores-set-stage-powerful-new-macs — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._