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What about price ?

Posted by emailtim (A) on March 15, 2025 at 12:58:42

In Reply to: Mac Studio M2 Ultra posted by AbeCollins on March 15, 2025 at 11:31:16:

That is a $3K-4K box from a quick search.

I could throw in a i9-14900K (24 cores, 32 threads) in this box for a couple hundred more and pull a 59,248 passmark for @ $1,500 total.

The M2 Utlra's memory bandwidth is very attractive though.

Here's a detailed assessment comparing the **Apple M2 Ultra** and **Intel Core i9-14900K** based on **performance per watt** and **price-performance**:

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### **Performance Per Watt**
The Apple M2 Ultra is significantly more power-efficient than the Intel Core i9-14900K:

1. **Power Consumption**:
- **M2 Ultra**: Operates at ~80W TDP, leveraging a 5nm manufacturing process for higher efficiency[3][7].
- **i9-14900K**: Base TDP of 125W, with peak power draw reaching up to 253W under heavy loads[1][3].

2. **Efficiency**:
- The M2 Ultra achieves better power efficiency due to its modern architecture, optimized for high memory bandwidth (819 GB/s vs Intel's 89.6 GB/s) [3][5].
- Benchmarks show the M2 Ultra scoring higher in power efficiency ratings (81 vs Intel's lower ratings)[3].

3. **Raw Performance Comparison**:
- Single-core performance: The i9-14900K is ~18-28% faster in single-threaded tasks[1][5].
- Multi-core performance: The i9-14900K is ~15% faster in multi-threaded benchmarks[1].
- Despite Intel's edge in raw performance, the M2 Ultra delivers competitive results while consuming far less power.

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### **Price-Performance**
When factoring in cost, the comparison shifts depending on use cases:

1. **Pricing**:
- **Intel Core i9-14900K**: Available for ~$445-$527, depending on discounts[1][2][4].
- **Apple M2 Ultra**: Pricing varies but is typically bundled with Mac Studio systems, which start at ~$3999. The standalone CPU cost is not directly comparable[7].

2. **Performance Value**:
- The i9-14900K offers a better price-to-performance ratio for raw computing power, with a CPU Mark value of 133.2 at its price point[1].
- The M2 Ultra's price-performance value is lower for standalone CPU tasks but excels in integrated systems optimized for creative workflows and energy efficiency.

3. **System Costs**:
- Intel CPUs require additional investments in cooling systems (due to high power draw), motherboards, and discrete GPUs for comparable performance. This increases total system costs[2][8].
- Apple's M2 Ultra integrates CPU, GPU, and memory into a single chip, reducing overall hardware costs for high-end systems.

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### **Conclusion**
- **Performance Per Watt**: The Apple M2 Ultra dominates with unmatched energy efficiency, making it ideal for users prioritizing lower operational costs and eco-friendly computing.
- **Price-Performance**: The Intel Core i9-14900K delivers better raw performance at a lower upfront cost but requires additional expenses for supporting hardware.

For gaming or raw computational tasks, Intel CPUs may be preferable due to their single-core performance edge. However, for creative professionals or those seeking efficiency in high-performance workflows (e.g., video editing or machine learning), the Apple M2 Ultra provides a compelling solution despite its higher initial investment.

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2022/03/30 Historical Records CENSORED

Edits: 03/15/25 03/15/25 03/15/25

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