M2 Mac Studio Max or M2 Mac Studio Ultra

[UnifiedMelody]

I've done my research/watched extensive youtube videos including severe benchmarking (Max Tech) and some realistic ones (ArtIsRight) as just two examples been watching over and over again.

My options are

1/2) M2 Max Mac Studio Unbinned Chip (12c 30gpu), 64GB RAM, (1TB or 2TB) SSD.
3/4) M2 Ultra Mac Studio Unbinned Chip (24c 60gpu), 64GB RAM, (1TB or 2TB) SSD.

Based on my initial research so far. Use Case: Minor/Some Video (DaVinci Resolve//FCP) and Mostly PhotoEditing (Lightroom, Photoshop).
The variable aspect is just the SSD based on options 1/2 and 3/4 with 2/4 being the higher capacity SSD.

Reasons for moving to mac; no longer game as much, waste of time rather spend it on productivity/some creative work instead. apple silicon finally pushed me over the tip for mac. pc having issues with fans overdriving for no reason... and plus with maxtech's overreactive video [why won't the mac studio throttle] kind of piqued my interest ten fold.

[and also downsizing my space to something smaller]. i was about to upgrade my PC but it'll cost me a lot to get new RAM, new motherboard, new CPU, and new GPU. which would cost me nearly 5000aud... considering i dont game much anymore and my current pc runs games fine at normal res, i dont see the point of upgrading. not to mention pc is a freaking power hog thanks to nvidia and amd boosting its power consumption.

plus w/ ultra using so little power for that monster of a cpu my interest got piqued ten fold no joke

I do have roughly 1500$ worth of apple gift cards which I've redeemed from credit cards. could save as much as 25% off 2TB 64GB Ultra M2 off the retail price. and even more if i opt for mac studio m2 max.

-

M2 Ultra is so tempting given nothing in pc space can match it at the moment in this size... But then M2 Max is no slouch either... which is why I'm in a dilemma considering it's my first mac.

i wont be upgrading for a very long time if anything this is ridiculously fast performance in a compact box... need advice please base on above

1. should i do 1tb or 2tb ssd for the studio mac, i dont mind hooking up external pci-e nvme storage [2tb is now 190$]... my current pc is roughly 12tb hdd and 2-3tb ssd which i havent exhausted half of it yet.
2. m2 max or m2 ultra... argh this is so difficult.

i'll still use hard drive for archiving because it's fine for long term dormant storage.

[price isnt an issue i can put it on a credit card, use 1500$ gift card to lower it and then pay it off 2 months later but i just want to make the best decision now to know if i'm just buying overkill [m2 ultra] or would the m2 max not suffice]

your advice will be greatly appreciated thanks.

 

[kirkster501]

I'd always go for the Ultra if you can afford it, that's common sense. But, do you "need" it? Only you can answer that. However, consider that photo editing /Lightroom will not touch the sides of a M2 MAX and since you say that you only want to do a minor amount of DaVinci - of which the M2 Max will also fly - then I think the Ultra is hugely overkill in your situation. All that it will deliver you is a minute or two of time saving in your video projects of which you'd pay $2000 more for? That does not make any sense.

Apple have done a superb job of getting people to think they need the Ultra and upselling them to it. They are not one of the biggest companys in the world by accident..... I'd suggest that less than 1% of hobbyist users need the Ultra. If you are a video editing professional putting out 4k videos all day, everyday, then for sure the Ultra makes sense.

From what you say, as I have also said on other threads, M2 Max with 1 or 2TB SSD and 64G RAM will be a screamer of a machine and should last you years.

 

[CreepyAF]

Well there was a YouTube video where they compared the m2 max vs m1 ultra, and for the majority of the tests the m2 max won! So do you wanna pay double the price for an ultra that will likely be outperformed by next years max? I don’t think the juice is worth the squeeze unless you need all that power and speed.

 

[UnifiedMelody]

yea that was what i was thinking of too… so by that notion i should be fine with a 2TB ssd internally? i can easily buy more external drives and scale accordingly and am aware mac components cant be upgraded after the fact

4/8tb arent worth it for me lol price wise

just want to put it on my credit card loll i can pay it back quickly 2 months later 100% hence why the questions

 

[UnifiedMelody]

Well there was a YouTube video where they compared the m2 max vs m1 ultra, and for the majority of the tests the m2 max won! So do you wanna pay double the price for an ultra that will likely be outperformed by next years max? I don’t think the juice is worth the squeeze unless you need all that power and speed.

likewise i wont upgrade for a very long time not like people do with phones…

i probably will have this at least 6-8 years cos i dont ever resell my stuff ever so they end up becoming passed to my family… as u know things drop down fast over time hence my threaded post

 

[Rnd-chars]

It sounds like even an M2 Max might be a little excessive considering your needs, but I wouldn’t go any lower than that if you plan on keeping your Mac for 5+ years.

If you go with the Max (and I think your use cases would still fly with it) you might consider taking the money you would have spent on the Ultra upgrade and applying it to RAM or SSD. Larger SSDs mean faster performance (up until 4TB) and RAM is always appreciated since you can’t upgrade it and apps tend to consume more over time.

I get appeal of the Ultra (I really do!), but you’d probably never (or rarely) notice a difference between it and the Max for your scenarios.

 

[dgdosen]

I've got an M2 Max Studio... it is fast, quiet, powerful - I'd call it boringly efficient and expect it to be worry-free for several years.

Given your requirements, I think the Ultra is overkill. Maybe pick one up at Costco with a longer return policy and run it give it a good look?

 

[Basic75]

For your use cases I'd get the M2 Max. 64GB of RAM should be fine, would have recommended that if you'd chosen only 32GB.

If you want to splurge you can go for the higher-binned M2 Max with 38 GPU cores (not sure what you mean with "unbinned", the M2 Max undergoes "binning" with each chip either landing in the 30 core bin or the 38 core bin) and 96GB RAM, though I'd expect you to be equally happy with 30 GPU cores and 64GB RAM; as ever, Apple's RAM is ridiculously overpriced.

 

[Plutonius]

MaxTech just came out with a video comparing the two. Based on real world application numbers, he recommended getting the Max except in a couple of cases.

The Ultra has a copper heatsink but the Max runs considerably cooler due to its much lower power consumption. Max Tech was unable to get either to temperature throttle let alone spin up the fans .

Based on his real world applications, it looks like spending $200 on the extra Max GPU cores option might be worth it if you get the Max.

 

[koyoot]

Well there was a YouTube video where they compared the m2 max vs m1 ultra, and for the majority of the tests the m2 max won! So do you wanna pay double the price for an ultra that will likely be outperformed by next years max? I don’t think the juice is worth the squeeze unless you need all that power and speed.

At best - M3 Max will bring 25% perf. difference over M2 Max.

MaxTech just came out with a video comparing the two. Based on real world application numbers, he recommended getting the Max except in a couple of cases.

The Ultra has a copper heatsink but the Max runs considerably cooler due to its much lower power consumption. Max Tech was unable to get either to temperature throttle let alone spin up the fans .

Based on his real world applications, it looks like spending $200 on the extra Max GPU cores option is worth it if you get the Max.

Max has absolutely no clue what he is talking about in his recommendation. He is recommending 2000$ computer "FOR MOST PEOPLE".

For most people - you need MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, at best. Not Mac Studio. Mac Studio is a nieche computer that Geekbench benchmarks, and workloads that Max is testing do not do M2 Max and M2 Ultra justice.

 

[Plutonius]

At best - M3 Max will bring 25% perf. difference over M2 Max.

Max has absolutely no clue what he is talking about in his recommendation. He is recommending 2000$ computer "FOR MOST PEOPLE".

For most people - you need MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, at best. Not Mac Studio. Mac Studio is a nieche computer that Geekbench benchmarks, and workloads that Max is testing do not do M2 Max and M2 Ultra justice.

I agree but the video is for people who want to get a Studio (i.e. He thinks that most people who want to get the Studio, should get the Max version)

In his other videos, he talks about the mini, air, and other consumer Apple computers. For reference, he said the 15" MacBook Air, was now his new favorite Mac .

 

[koyoot]

I agree but the video is for people who want to get a Studio (i.e. He thinks that most people who want to get the Studio, should get the Max version)

In his other videos, he talks about the mini, air, and other consumer Apple computers. For reference, he said the 15" MacBook Air, was now his new favorite Mac .

I know what type of Youtube channel Max Tech is. I follow it for a very long time.

I agree with him with one thing. M2 Pro mini can be justified only if you buy the base model, or upgrade the storage.

Everything else: higher end GPU, more RAM - Mac Studio.

 

[UnifiedMelody]

I've got an M2 Max Studio... it is fast, quiet, powerful - I'd call it boringly efficient and expect it to be worry-free for several years.

Given your requirements, I think the Ultra is overkill. Maybe pick one up at Costco with a longer return policy and run it give it a good look?

There's an apple store in Perth, WA. I hope they have the ultra on display so i can stress test/run it a bit while I'm sitting there. But I have a bad gut feeling they'll only put the M2 Max up on display in the studio...

i use a nikon Z9 and do edit some video in davinci resolve which is a mix of 8K Raw//h265 && 4k ProRes raw mix
(yes the camera is expensive) ive been there

MaxTech just came out with a video comparing the two. Based on real world application numbers, he recommended getting the Max except in a couple of cases.

The Ultra has a copper heatsink but the Max runs considerably cooler due to its much lower power consumption. Max Tech was unable to get either to temperature throttle let alone spin up the fans .

Based on his real world applications, it looks like spending $200 on the extra Max GPU cores option might be worth it if you get the Max.

i was waiting for this video hahaha 😂 i just woke up to this and am watching it now

 

[UnifiedMelody]

I know what type of Youtube channel Max Tech is. I follow it for a very long time.

I agree with him with one thing. M2 Pro mini can be justified only if you buy the base model, or upgrade the storage.

Everything else: higher end GPU, more RAM - Mac Studio.

Yeah one of the appeals of Mac Studio, was it had the nice form factor.
My current Windows is around 64GB RAM so by default, [mac is more efficient but i stuck with 64GB flat, 96/128GB not so much benefits for extra cost].

So that puts M2 Pro Mac Mini out of the equation. Plus the storage it comes isn't enough [I will put 2TB bare minimum] for internal processing and delegate any archives out where appropriate onto a hooked-up external drive where I don't need 5000-6000MB/s but something more reasonable for infrequent access [500-1000MB/s SATAs or NVMes].

 

[kirkster501]

If I were you with your stated use cases I'd be getting an M2 Max with 64G of RAM and 1 or 2 TB of SSD and use external drives or even a NAS connected to the 10G port. I have an M2 Max with 1TB/64G and I'm delighted with mine. My machine is for Lightroom, Photoshop, FCP and Logic Pro with some astronomy software that I run. I also run some virtualisation software. It screams through all of that stuff with it all running simultaneously oftentimes.

That machine will crunch through anything you throw at it. For very high intensity 4k and 8k video work where time is money, yes, an Ultra will be faster in some cases although the M2 Max will be no slouch either. But the Ultra is complete overkill for your stated objectives for the computer. And even if you were to start doing a lot more video work (will you?), the M2 Max is still a great machine.

Buy the Ultra if you can afford it by all means. But you will rarely see the value from the extra spend other than a few seconds saving on a large project. Is that worth $2000 to you? If it is then get the Ultra.

 

[CreepyAF]

At best - M3 Max will bring 25% perf. difference over M2 Max.

Max has absolutely no clue what he is talking about in his recommendation. He is recommending 2000$ computer "FOR MOST PEOPLE".

For most people - you need MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, at best. Not Mac Studio. Mac Studio is a nieche computer that Geekbench benchmarks, and workloads that Max is testing do not do M2 Max and M2 Ultra justice.

The m2 max crushed the m1 ultra in majority of real world tests. I wouldn’t spend an extra 2 grand for one year of superiority…. Unless u need to tap into crazy amounts of speed…

Edit: looks like they tied 5-5 but still not bad

 

[koyoot]

The m2 max crushed the m1 ultra in majority of real world tests. I wouldn’t spend an extra 2 grand for one year of superiority…. Unless u need to tap into crazy amounts of speed…

Edit: looks like they tied 5-5 but still not bad

Mate, its has nothing to do with the name, it has EVERYTHING to do with 3 nm process from TSMC, and what Apple CAN do with it.

The logic shrinks by 40%. LOGIC. SRAM, memory controllers do not bring ANY density improvements. Apple's impressive designs are density first. What happens whan shrinks do not bring apopriate density increases, on a dense physical designs?

You lose performance increases.

I expect at best 12, 24 and 48 Core GPU designs for M3, M3 Pro and M3 Max respectively. We are looking at 25-30% perf increases, MAX.

 

[CreepyAF]

We are looking at 25-30% perf increases, MAX.

Haha this isn’t going to age well…

 

[UnifiedMelody]

After consideration from all the pushbacks above and expert advice, went w/ M2 Max 12/38 and 64GB/2TB.

had to be realistic; i wanted the M2 Ultra, but I didn't need it by all means.

 

[koyoot]

Haha this isn’t going to age well…

It will, unless you will have one of two possible trade-offs.

Lower efficiency/higher power draw, or higher costs for consumers.

This is just engineering. There are no miracles here. And if N3 process is what TSMC says it is - its without any question, the worst "shrink" in history, because it brings the lowest uplift in density, performance and efficiency.

 

[kirkster501]

After consideration from all the pushbacks above and expert advice, went w/ M2 Max 12/38 and 64GB/2TB.

had to be realistic; i wanted the M2 Ultra, but I didn't need it by all means.

Wise choice.

 

[Plutonius]

After consideration from all the pushbacks above and expert advice, went w/ M2 Max 12/38 and 64GB/2TB.

had to be realistic; i wanted the M2 Ultra, but I didn't need it by all means.

This is the Studio I'm looking at and will probably get.

 

[tiguanito]

I’m also mainly doing some photo editing with Lightroom/photoshop. And occasionally some video editing with Final Cut. The Max 12/38 with 64GB would be nice already. But the Ultra really performs better in Lightroom and takes advantage of all the CPU and GPU cores (noiseAI is still running on the gpu now but should use the neural engines in the future. The Ultra has 2x the number of engines)
I want to keep the Studio several years, maybe I can spend the $1.1k+ ... Still not sure though.
In any case I will get the 1TB SSD and will add an external USB4 2 TB Nvme.

 

[UnifiedMelody]

I’m also mainly doing some photo editing with Lightroom/photoshop. And occasionally some video editing with Final Cut. The Max 12/38 with 64GB would be nice already. But the Ultra really performs better in Lightroom and takes advantage of all the CPU and GPU cores (noiseAI is still running on the gpu now but should use the neural engines in the future. The Ultra has 2x the number of engines)
I want to keep the Studio several years, maybe I can spend the $1.1k+ ... Still not sure though.
In any case I will get the 1TB SSD and will add an external USB4 2 TB Nvme.

i feel like 2TB should be the bare minimum now... for storage at least... 512/1tb is still cutting short. unless you know how to move catalog/remove frequently then 1tb is doable.

i still have my NVMe's in a casing as external drives [4TB's worth] which now i use mostly for dumping as SSD's prices have plunged so much it's beneficial over hdd now [even the slow 500-1000MB/s ones] are reasonable.

 

[tiguanito]

I have a 4TB NAS. And can add an external NvME in the future if needed. I use the main SSD for the OS, apps, editing, processing, etc. And always move the media to the NAS when not doing any processing on it. I usually have >600GB free out of 1TB.
Still, 1TB for a $4k machine is a joke ...