GoKawiilApple's M6 chip trails NVIDIA's RTX 4080 in Metal graphics benchmarks
Benchmark comparisons cited by MacRumors show the Apple M6 scores 93,217 on the Metal graphics test, far below the M5 Ultra's 366,744, which is roughly on par with NVIDIA's 2022-era RTX 4080. In practical use, the M6 Mac Mini still runs Cyberpunk 2077 at an average 55 frames per second with default Mac settings.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The gap suggests Apple's silicon may struggle to keep pace with NVIDIA's GPU lineup as newer architectures like the rumored RTX 60-series arrive by 2028, particularly for demanding real-time 3D rendering. For everyday users who prioritize smooth gameplay over maximum graphical fidelity, or who use Macs mainly for non-rendering tasks like video transcoding, the performance difference may be largely inconsequential.
- The M6 Metal benchmark score of 93,217 is about four times lower than the M5 Ultra's 366,744.
- The M5 Ultra's OpenCL score is roughly comparable to NVIDIA's RTX 4080, a 2022 GPU.
- Despite benchmark gaps, the M6 Mac Mini still delivers playable 55 fps performance in Cyberpunk 2077.
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 GPU — If you're chasing serious gaming and creative-workload performance like the benchmarks discussed in this article, the RTX 4080 remains a powerhouse GPU choice. It delivers the kind of real-time 3D graphics muscle that Apple's M6 chip struggles to match, making it a great pick for a dedicated Windows gaming or rendering rig.
See NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 GPU on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: engadget.com — Roger Fingas, 2026-11-08
Published there as: “Why Apple's M6 Chip Can't Hold Its Own Against Any NVIDIA GPU”
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