M1 8-Core GPU vs RTXA5000-8Q

G3D Mark is a standard benchmark that measures graphics performance in real-world gaming scenarios. It simplifies comparing cards from different brands, where higher scores directly correlate with better fps and smoother gaming experiences.

M1 8-Core GPU vs RTXA5000-8Q FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with Ryzen 7 9800X3D to isolate GPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

M1 8-Core GPU vs RTXA5000-8Q: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each GPU makes more sense in practice: raw FPS, VRAM, features, power draw, pricing, and long-term headroom.

M1 8-Core GPU

2020

Why buy it

✅Draws 30W instead of 230W, a 200W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 2.0 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $2,500 MSRP).

RTXA5000-8Q

2021

Why buy it

✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 2.0 vs 0 G3D/$ ($2,500 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌666.7% higher power demand at 230W vs 30W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

M1 8-Core GPU is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 1.7% in PassMark G3D (5,000 vs 4,916), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.

Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?

RTXA5000-8Q is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 64 vs 0 ray-tracing units and a newer 2021 generation instead of 2020. That makes it the less risky pick as game demands keep moving.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

RTXA5000-8Q makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. M1 8-Core GPU still makes more sense if max raw gaming performance matters more than value.

M1 8-Core GPU vs RTXA5000-8Q Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

M1 8-Core GPU

The M1 8-Core GPU is manufactured by Apple. It was released in November 10 2020. The core clock speed is 1278 MHz. It has 8 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 30W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,000 points.

RTXA5000-8Q

The RTXA5000-8Q is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in April 12 2021. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1170 MHz to 1695 MHz. It has 8192 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 230W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 64 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 4,916 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The M1 8-Core GPU scores 5,000 and the RTXA5000-8Q reaches 4,916 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.7% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. Shader units: 8 (M1 8-Core GPU) vs 8,192 (RTXA5000-8Q).

Feature	M1 8-Core GPU	RTXA5000-8Q
G3D Mark Score	5,000+2%	4,916
Process Node	5 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	8	8192+102300%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The RTXA5000-8Q gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The M1 8-Core GPU leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

Feature	M1 8-Core GPU	RTXA5000-8Q
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	Upscaling support
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	Standard	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

Both cards ship with 2 GB of video memory. Memory bus width is Unified on the M1 8-Core GPU and 64-bit on the RTXA5000-8Q.

Feature	M1 8-Core GPU	RTXA5000-8Q
VRAM Capacity	2 GB	2 GB
Memory Type	Shared	GDDR5
Bus Width	Unified	64-bit

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The M1 8-Core GPU draws 30W versus the RTXA5000-8Q's 230W — a 153.8% difference. The M1 8-Core GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (M1 8-Core GPU) vs 350W (RTXA5000-8Q). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs PCIe-powered.

Feature	M1 8-Core GPU	RTXA5000-8Q
TDP	30W-87%	230W
Recommended PSU	350W	350W
Power Connector	PCIe-powered	PCIe-powered
Slots	0	—
Perf/Watt	166.7+679%	21.4

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the M1 8-Core GPU came in at $0, while the RTXA5000-8Q launched at $2500. On MSRP, M1 8-Core GPU was 100+% cheaper ($2500 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): Infinity (M1 8-Core GPU) vs 2.0 (RTXA5000-8Q) — the M1 8-Core GPU offers Infinity% better value. The newer card here is RTXA5000-8Q (2021 vs 2020).

Feature	M1 8-Core GPU	RTXA5000-8Q
MSRP	$0-100%	$2500
Performance per Dollar	Infinity	2.0
Codename	—	GA102
Release	November 10 2020	April 12 2021
Ranking	#428	#53

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