benchmarks

Our analysis explained

Gekbench 4 single-core test

This tests the capability of a single processor core. Many more common tasks on a Mac will only use a single core at a time. Intel’s Turbo Boost technology comes into play here.

Handbrake video encoding

We transcode a Blu-ray–quality video file into H.264 format using Handbrake to test the multi-core processor performance, which pushes all cores to maximum output.

Rise of the Raider (1920x1080)

For a real-world gaming test, we use the benchmarking tool in the game Tomb Raider, with the graphics settings set to High and the display resolution set to 1920x1080 pixels.

Da vinci resolve

In Blackmagic Design’s editing tool for video professionals, we exported an effects-laden, 2.5-minute project to the H.264 format. We limited the app’s hardware acceleration to use one graphics processor at a time.