CPU Comparison
Apple M1 Ultra vs Intel Xeon w5-2545
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Apple M1 Ultra is the most powerful chip in Apple's first-generation Apple Silicon lineup, engineered by fusing two M1 Max dies through the proprietary UltraFusion interconnect. With 20 CPU cores, up to 64 GPU cores, a 32-core Neural Engine, and up to 128GB of unified LPDDR5 memory delivering 800 GB/s bandwidth, it targets the most demanding professional workflows in a compact desktop form factor.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Gaming
Virtualization
Efficiency
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- 32-core Neural Engine accelerates on-device machine learning inference at up to 22 trillion operations per second
- 800 GB/s memory bandwidth benefits large language model inference
- 128GB unified memory enables loading large AI models that exceed typical GPU VRAM
- No dedicated tensor cores in the traditional NVIDIA CUDA sense
- Apple Core ML and Metal Performance Shaders provide software-level acceleration
- Intel AMX improves AI inference performance via dedicated tile‑matrix operations.
- AVX‑512 with Bfloat16 support (3rd Gen DL Boost) benefits frameworks that can use it.
- Best suited to inference and small‑scale training; for larger workloads, dedicated GPUs are still faster.
Content Creation
Gaming
- 64-core GPU handles most macOS-native titles comfortably at 1440p
- Limited game library on macOS compared to Windows
- Rosetta 2 translation layer adds minor overhead for x86 games
- No support for external GPUs via Thunderbolt
- AAA titles running through CrossOver or Parallels may have reduced performance
- Sufficient per‑core performance for 60+ fps at 1080p in many titles when paired with a strong GPU.
- Higher power draw and platform cost compared with mainstream gaming CPUs.
- No integrated graphics; a discrete GPU is mandatory.
- Optimized gaming workloads are not the primary target for this workstation platform.
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Outstanding multi-threaded CPU performance with 20 cores
- Massive 800 GB/s unified memory bandwidth
- Up to 128GB unified memory accessible by CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine
- Extremely power-efficient compared to x86 workstations
- Dual ProRes encode and decode engines for video professionals
- 32-core Neural Engine for hardware-accelerated machine learning
- Quiet operation even under sustained heavy workloads
- Seamless multi-die operation transparent to software
Cons
- Only available in Mac Studio, no standalone or DIY option
- No support for external GPUs
- macOS has a limited game library compared to Windows
- Memory and storage are not user-upgradeable
- No hardware-accelerated ray tracing (introduced with M3 family)
- Discontinued and superseded by M2 Ultra
- No traditional PCIe expansion slots
- HDMI 2.0 instead of HDMI 2.1 limits external display options
Pros
- 12 performance cores with Hyper‑Threading and up to 4.7 GHz turbo for strong multi‑threaded performance.
- 64 PCIe 5.0 lanes enable multiple high‑speed devices without sharing bandwidth.
- Quad‑channel DDR5‑4800 ECC support with up to 2 TB capacity for large workloads.
- Intel AMX, AVX‑512, and DL Boost accelerate AI and scientific computing.
- Intel vPro Enterprise and RAS features for enterprise manageability and reliability.
- Data Streaming Accelerator (DSA) offloads common data‑movement operations.
Cons
- No integrated graphics; a discrete GPU is required.
- Not an unlocked SKU (w5‑2545 is locked); limited overclocking.
- Base power of 210 W and turbo power of 252 W require robust cooling and a spacious chassis.
- Memory speed limited to DDR5‑4800; faster kits will downclock unless overclocked on unlocked SKUs.
- Platform cost is higher than mainstream desktop; best suited to OEM workstations.
Competitors & Alternatives
Apple M1 Ultra
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950XRival
High-End Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i9-12900KRival
High-End Desktop
- AMD Threadripper PRO 5975WXRival
Workstation
- Intel Xeon W-3375XRival
Workstation
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950XRival
Creator Desktop
Direct successor with improved CPU and GPU performance, higher efficiency, and support for newer technologies.
Compare head-to-head- Alt
Half the cores at a significantly lower price point, still excellent for most professional creative workloads.
Compare head-to-head - Alt
Newer architecture with hardware-accelerated ray tracing, dynamic caching, and better per-core performance.
Compare head-to-head - Custom PC with AMD Ryzen 9 7950X and RTX 4080Alt
Windows compatibility, upgradeability, better gaming performance, and access to NVIDIA CUDA ecosystem.
- Mac Pro with M2 UltraAlt
Same chip class but in a tower with PCIe expansion slots for specialized add-in cards.
Intel Xeon w5-2545
- AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WXRival
Workstation (16c/32t, DDR4, PCIe 4.0, higher TDP)
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950XRival
High‑End Desktop (16c/32t, AM5, DDR5, PCIe 5.0)
- Intel Xeon w5‑2455X (previous generation)Rival
Workstation (12c/24t, W‑2400, 3.2 GHz base)
- Intel Xeon w5‑2555X (same generation, unlocked)Rival
Workstation (14c/28t, unlocked multiplier)
- Intel Core i9‑14900K (enthusiast desktop)Rival
Enthusiast Desktop (24 cores, hybrid P+E design)
Unlocked multiplier and two more cores (14/28) if you need tunability and higher thread count.
Compare head-to-headLower TDP (175 W) and lower price if your workload is lighter and you want to cut power and cost.
Compare head-to-headExcellent single‑thread and multi‑thread performance for gaming and light content creation, but lacks workstation RAS and ECC support.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
An extraordinarily powerful workstation-class system-on-chip that delivers exceptional multi-threaded and GPU performance with remarkable power efficiency, though its locked ecosystem and discontinued status make the newer M2 Ultra or M3 Ultra worth considering.
Best for: Professional content creators and workstation users who need massive multi-threaded performance and unified memory within the Apple ecosystem, particularly on the refurbished market.
Read the full reviewA well‑balanced 12‑core workstation CPU with strong multi‑threaded throughput, good per‑core performance, and generous I/O for a single‑socket tower. It is not for gaming or extreme efficiency, but it excels in professional workstations that need PCIe 5.0, ECC memory, and ISV‑certified platforms.
Best for: Configuring a new single‑socket OEM workstation (e.g., Dell Precision 5860 or HP Z4 G5) where you need 12 cores, 64 PCIe 5.0 lanes, ECC memory, and ISV certifications.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Apple M1 Ultra or Intel Xeon w5-2545?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Apple M1 Ultra comes out ahead with a score of 8.8/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Apple M1 Ultra or Intel Xeon w5-2545?
For gaming, the Apple M1 Ultra leads with a gaming performance score of 72/100 among Apple M1 Ultra and Intel Xeon w5-2545.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Xeon w5-2545 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Xeon w5-2545 (210 W).
Do Apple M1 Ultra and Intel Xeon w5-2545 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Apple M1 Ultra: BGA (Soldered), Intel Xeon w5-2545: FCLGA4677), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Apple M1 Ultra has the most cores. Core counts: Apple M1 Ultra (20 cores), Intel Xeon w5-2545 (12 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Xeon w5-2545 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Apple M1 Ultra (17,500), Intel Xeon w5-2545 (40,782). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.