Apple M2 Mac Mini 2023 vs iMac 5k 3.5 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5 2014

[qwerty123]

I've just got a new M2 Mac Mini (not Pro) and ran a quick test on a recent 3 minute 2800 × 1794 screen recording using Fast 1080p30 and compared to my 10 year old iMac.

I was imagining an order of magnitude improvement in transcode speed. Maybe my expectations are unrealistic, but have a guess of the improvement in fps? I used Version 1.8.0 (2024052000)

40fps to 120fps. Mmmh.
Am I missing a switch or trick?
Or should I just be grateful for 3x improvement hardware performance in 10 years?

[Ritsuka]

How many cores did your previous iMac had? The Mac mini is only 4 performance plus 4 efficiency cpu, and some encoders are still not as optimized for arm64.

[Ritsuka]

Oh it was in the topic, whoops. Yes that doesn't look too bad. The single core performance increase much slower lately.

[mduell]

The 3x result seems reasonable, but post the logs so we can see exactly what you did.

[Rodeo314]

Only 3 times as fast LOL.

Base M2 seems about 3-4x times as fast as a 2.3 Ghz quad i7 here depending on settings: viewtopic.php?t=43445

So I would have expected 2-3x since your 3.5 GHz quad i5 had to be a fair bit faster than the i7.

Keep in mind the M2 is 3x faster while using up to 7x less electricity that the i5, in terms of performance per watt you're looking at a 20+ times increase.

An M2 Pro or Max would be faster, you went for an entry level model, $599 vs. the $2,499 for the iMac when bought new.

[qwerty123]

Really helpful replies all, thank you.

Yes, after having been out of the game for a while, it was my expectation that was off; influenced by the hype around Apple Silicon I guess. It just shows how worthwhile it is aiming high on an initial purchase. The iMac has lasted me well!

I did upgrade the M2 Mini, but as RAM and SSD is fixed at purchase, I splashed $1449(ish) for 24GB and 1TB. The M2 Pro was a step too far, considering I also needed a Studio Display to keep 5k 27". ($≈3000 total). At least now I can upgrade the CPU separately in the future.

I suppose I'll be happy with just 2.17x faster in 10 years!
(It's even less favourable on this test suggested by @Rodeo314)
#disappointed

Apple M2 Mac Mini 2023 — 80.19 fps (https://mango.blender.org/download/)

Code: Select all

[09:22:23] macgui: ScanCore scanning titles with a duration of 10 seconds or more
[09:22:23] CPU: Apple M2
[09:22:23]  - logical processor count: 8
[09:22:23] hb_scan: path=/Users/REDACTED/Documents/tears_of_steel_1080p.mov, title_index=0
Input #0, mov,mp4,m4a,3gp,3g2,mj2, from '/Users/REDACTED/Documents/tears_of_steel_1080p.mov':
  Metadata:
    major_brand     : qt  
    minor_version   : 512
    compatible_brands: qt  
    encoder         : Lavf53.32.100
  Duration: 00:12:14.17, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 6361 kb/s
  Stream #0:0[0x1](eng): Video: h264 (Main) (avc1 / 0x31637661), yuv420p(progressive), 1920x800 [SAR 1:1 DAR 12:5], 6162 kb/s, 24 fps, 24 tbr, 24 tbn (default)
      Metadata:
        handler_name    : VideoHandler
        vendor_id       : FFMP
        encoder         : libx264
  Stream #0:1[0x2](eng): Audio: mp3 (mp3float) (.mp3 / 0x33706D2E), 44100 Hz, stereo, fltp, 191 kb/s (default)
      Metadata:
        handler_name    : SoundHandler
        vendor_id       : [0][0][0][0]
[09:22:23] scan: decoding previews for title 1
[09:22:23] scan: audio 0x1: mp3float, rate=44100Hz, bitrate=191999 English (MP3, 2.0 ch, 191 kbps)
[09:22:23] using bitstream PAR 1:1
[09:22:23] scan: 10 previews, 1920x800, 24.000 fps, autocrop = 0/0/0/0, aspect 2.40:1, PAR 1:1, color profile: 1-1-1, chroma location: left
[09:22:23] libhb: scan thread found 1 valid title(s)
[09:22:23] macgui: ScanCore scan done
[09:25:39] macgui: fr.handbrake.HandBrakeXPCService scanning specifically for title: 1
[09:25:39] CPU: Apple M2
[09:25:39]  - logical processor count: 8
[09:25:39] hb_scan: path=/Users/REDACTED/Documents/tears_of_steel_1080p.mov, title_index=1
Input #0, mov,mp4,m4a,3gp,3g2,mj2, from '/Users/REDACTED/Documents/tears_of_steel_1080p.mov':
  Metadata:
    major_brand     : qt  
    minor_version   : 512
    compatible_brands: qt  
    encoder         : Lavf53.32.100
  Duration: 00:12:14.17, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 6361 kb/s
  Stream #0:0[0x1](eng): Video: h264 (Main) (avc1 / 0x31637661), yuv420p(progressive), 1920x800 [SAR 1:1 DAR 12:5], 6162 kb/s, 24 fps, 24 tbr, 24 tbn (default)
      Metadata:
        handler_name    : VideoHandler
        vendor_id       : FFMP
        encoder         : libx264
  Stream #0:1[0x2](eng): Audio: mp3 (mp3float) (.mp3 / 0x33706D2E), 44100 Hz, stereo, fltp, 191 kb/s (default)
      Metadata:
        handler_name    : SoundHandler
        vendor_id       : [0][0][0][0]
[09:25:39] scan: decoding previews for title 1
[09:25:39] scan: audio 0x1: mp3float, rate=44100Hz, bitrate=191999 English (MP3, 2.0 ch, 191 kbps)
[09:25:39] using bitstream PAR 1:1
[09:25:39] scan: 10 previews, 1920x800, 24.000 fps, autocrop = 0/0/0/0, aspect 2.40:1, PAR 1:1, color profile: 1-1-1, chroma location: left
[09:25:39] libhb: scan thread found 1 valid title(s)
[09:25:39] macgui: fr.handbrake.HandBrakeXPCService scan done
[09:25:39] macgui: fr.handbrake.HandBrakeXPCService started encoding tears_of_steel_1080p.mp4
[09:25:39] Starting work at: Mon May 27 09:25:39 2024

[09:25:39] 1 job(s) to process
[09:25:39] macgui: fr.handbrake.HandBrakeXPCService with preset Apple 1080p30 Surround
[09:25:39] Starting Task: Encoding Pass
[09:25:39] work: skipping crop/scale filter
[09:25:39] work: only 1 chapter, disabling chapter markers
[09:25:39] job configuration:
[09:25:39]  * source
[09:25:39]    + /Users/REDACTED/Documents/tears_of_steel_1080p.mov
[09:25:39]    + title 1, chapter(s) 1 to 1
[09:25:39]    + container: mov,mp4,m4a,3gp,3g2,mj2
[09:25:39]    + data rate: 6361 kbps
[09:25:39]  * destination
[09:25:39]    + /Users/REDACTED/Downloads/tears_of_steel_1080p.mp4
[09:25:39]    + container: MPEG-4 (libavformat)
[09:25:39]  * video track
[09:25:39]    + decoder: h264 8-bit (yuv420p)
[09:25:39]      + bitrate 6162 kbps
[09:25:39]    + filters
[09:25:39]      + Comb Detect (mode=3:spatial-metric=2:motion-thresh=1:spatial-thresh=1:filter-mode=2:block-thresh=40:block-width=16:block-height=16)
[09:25:39]      + Decomb (mode=39)
[09:25:39]      + Framerate Shaper (mode=2:rate=27000000/900000)
[09:25:39]        + frame rate: 24.000 fps -> peak rate limited to 30.000 fps
[09:25:39]    + Output geometry
[09:25:39]      + storage dimensions: 1920 x 800
[09:25:39]      + pixel aspect ratio: 1 : 1
[09:25:39]      + display dimensions: 1920 x 800
[09:25:39]    + encoder: H.264 (libx264)
[09:25:39]      + preset:  medium
[09:25:39]      + profile: high
[09:25:39]      + level:   4.0
[09:25:39]      + quality: 22.00 (RF)
[09:25:39]      + color profile: 1-1-1
[09:25:39]      + color range: tv
[09:25:39]      + chroma location: left
[09:25:39]  * audio track 1
[09:25:39]    + decoder: English (MP3, 2.0 ch, 191 kbps) (track 1, id 0x1)
[09:25:39]      + bitrate: 191 kbps, samplerate: 44100 Hz
[09:25:39]    + mixdown: Stereo
[09:25:39]    + encoder: AAC (Apple AudioToolbox)
[09:25:39]      + bitrate: 160 kbps, samplerate: 44100 Hz
[09:25:39]  * audio track 2
[09:25:39]    + decoder: English (MP3, 2.0 ch, 191 kbps) (track 1, id 0x1)
[09:25:39]      + bitrate: 191 kbps, samplerate: 44100 Hz
[09:25:39]    + mixdown: Stereo
[09:25:39]    + encoder: AC3 (libavcodec)
[09:25:39]      + bitrate: 640 kbps, samplerate: 44100 Hz
[09:25:39] sync: expecting 17620 video frames
[09:25:39] encx264: min-keyint: 24, keyint: 240
[09:25:39] encx264: encoding at constant RF 22.000000
[09:25:39] encx264: unparsed options: level=4.0:vbv-bufsize=31250:vbv-maxrate=25000
x264 [info]: using SAR=1/1
x264 [info]: using cpu capabilities: ARMv8 NEON
x264 [info]: profile High, level 4.0, 4:2:0, 8-bit
[09:25:39] sync: first pts video is 0
[09:25:39] sync: "Chapter 1" (1) at frame 1 time 0
[09:25:39] sync: first pts audio 0x1 is 0
[09:25:39] sync: first pts audio 0x1 is 0
[09:29:18] reader: done. 1 scr changes
[09:29:19] work: average encoding speed for job is 80.190971 fps
[09:29:19] comb detect: heavy 466 | light 2086 | uncombed 15068 | total 17620
[09:29:19] decomb: deinterlaced 466 | blended 2086 | unfiltered 15068 | total 17620
[09:29:19] vfr: 17620 frames output, 0 dropped and 0 duped for CFR/PFR
[09:29:19] vfr: lost time: 0 (0 frames)
[09:29:19] vfr: gained time: 0 (0 frames) (0 not accounted for)
[09:29:19] mp3float-decoder done: 28102 frames, 0 decoder errors
[09:29:19] mp3float-decoder done: 28102 frames, 0 decoder errors
[09:29:19] h264-decoder done: 17620 frames, 0 decoder errors
[09:29:19] sync: got 17620 frames, 17620 expected
[09:29:19] sync: framerate min 24.000 fps, max 24.000 fps, avg 24.000 fps
x264 [info]: frame I:185   Avg QP:18.26  size:113953
x264 [info]: frame P:5697  Avg QP:21.80  size: 40382
x264 [info]: frame B:11738 Avg QP:24.91  size:  9978
x264 [info]: consecutive B-frames:  5.5% 14.1%  9.3% 71.2%
x264 [info]: mb I  I16..4: 20.3% 42.0% 37.7%
x264 [info]: mb P  I16..4:  4.9% 10.9%  3.6%  P16..4: 40.2% 13.3%  6.3%  0.0%  0.0%    skip:20.9%
x264 [info]: mb B  I16..4:  0.7%  0.9%  0.4%  B16..8: 36.7%  4.6%  0.8%  direct: 2.3%  skip:53.6%  L0:44.4% L1:48.3% BI: 7.3%
x264 [info]: 8x8 transform intra:52.7% inter:65.0%
x264 [info]: coded y,uvDC,uvAC intra: 54.1% 65.0% 28.2% inter: 13.3% 16.3% 1.6%
x264 [info]: i16 v,h,dc,p: 30% 25% 13% 32%
x264 [info]: i8 v,h,dc,ddl,ddr,vr,hd,vl,hu: 22% 20% 24%  4%  6%  6%  6%  6%  6%
x264 [info]: i4 v,h,dc,ddl,ddr,vr,hd,vl,hu: 22% 20% 16%  6%  9%  8%  8%  6%  6%
x264 [info]: i8c dc,h,v,p: 48% 23% 22%  8%
x264 [info]: Weighted P-Frames: Y:4.0% UV:1.9%
x264 [info]: ref P L0: 63.1% 18.1% 14.3%  4.4%  0.1%
x264 [info]: ref B L0: 88.8%  9.8%  1.4%
x264 [info]: ref B L1: 96.6%  3.4%
x264 [info]: kb/s:4012.84
[09:29:19] mux: track 0, 17620 frames, 368254578 bytes, 4012.53 kbps, fifo 1024
[09:29:19] mux: track 1, 31617 frames, 15264638 bytes, 166.32 kbps, fifo 2048
[09:29:19] mux: track 2, 21076 frames, 58726052 bytes, 639.88 kbps, fifo 1024
[09:29:19] Finished work at: Mon May 27 09:29:19 2024

[09:29:19] libhb: work result = 0
[09:29:19] macgui: Queue Done, there are no more pending encodes
[09:29:19] macgui: fr.handbrake.HandBrakeXPCService work done

iMac 5k 3.5 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5 2014 — 37.00 fps (https://mango.blender.org/download/)

Code: Select all

[09:32:38] macgui: Handbrake Version: 1.8.0 (2024052000)
[09:32:38] Compile-time hardening features are enabled
[09:32:39] hb_init: starting libhb thread
[09:32:50] macgui: ScanCore scanning titles with a duration of 10 seconds or more
[09:32:50] CPU: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4690 CPU @ 3.50GHz
[09:32:50]  - Intel microarchitecture Haswell
[09:32:50]  - logical processor count: 4
[09:32:50] hb_scan: path=/Users/REDACTED/Downloads/tears_of_steel_1080p.mov, title_index=0
Input #0, mov,mp4,m4a,3gp,3g2,mj2, from '/Users/REDACTED/Downloads/tears_of_steel_1080p.mov':
  Metadata:
    major_brand     : qt  
    minor_version   : 512
    compatible_brands: qt  
    encoder         : Lavf53.32.100
  Duration: 00:12:14.17, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 6361 kb/s
  Stream #0:0[0x1](eng): Video: h264 (Main) (avc1 / 0x31637661), yuv420p(progressive), 1920x800 [SAR 1:1 DAR 12:5], 6162 kb/s, 24 fps, 24 tbr, 24 tbn (default)
      Metadata:
        handler_name    : VideoHandler
        vendor_id       : FFMP
        encoder         : libx264
  Stream #0:1[0x2](eng): Audio: mp3 (mp3float) (.mp3 / 0x33706D2E), 44100 Hz, stereo, fltp, 191 kb/s (default)
      Metadata:
        handler_name    : SoundHandler
        vendor_id       : [0][0][0][0]
[09:32:50] scan: decoding previews for title 1
[09:32:50] scan: audio 0x1: mp3float, rate=44100Hz, bitrate=191999 English (MP3, 2.0 ch, 191 kbps)
[09:32:50] using bitstream PAR 1:1
[09:32:50] scan: 10 previews, 1920x800, 24.000 fps, autocrop = 0/0/0/0, aspect 2.40:1, PAR 1:1, color profile: 1-1-1, chroma location: left
[09:32:50] libhb: scan thread found 1 valid title(s)
[09:32:50] macgui: ScanCore scan done
[09:34:28] Compile-time hardening features are enabled
[09:34:29] hb_init: starting libhb thread
[09:34:29] macgui: fr.handbrake.HandBrakeXPCService scanning specifically for title: 1
[09:34:29] CPU: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4690 CPU @ 3.50GHz
[09:34:29]  - Intel microarchitecture Haswell
[09:34:29]  - logical processor count: 4
[09:34:29] hb_scan: path=/Users/REDACTED/Downloads/tears_of_steel_1080p.mov, title_index=1
Input #0, mov,mp4,m4a,3gp,3g2,mj2, from '/Users/REDACTED/Downloads/tears_of_steel_1080p.mov':
  Metadata:
    major_brand     : qt  
    minor_version   : 512
    compatible_brands: qt  
    encoder         : Lavf53.32.100
  Duration: 00:12:14.17, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 6361 kb/s
  Stream #0:0[0x1](eng): Video: h264 (Main) (avc1 / 0x31637661), yuv420p(progressive), 1920x800 [SAR 1:1 DAR 12:5], 6162 kb/s, 24 fps, 24 tbr, 24 tbn (default)
      Metadata:
        handler_name    : VideoHandler
        vendor_id       : FFMP
        encoder         : libx264
  Stream #0:1[0x2](eng): Audio: mp3 (mp3float) (.mp3 / 0x33706D2E), 44100 Hz, stereo, fltp, 191 kb/s (default)
      Metadata:
        handler_name    : SoundHandler
        vendor_id       : [0][0][0][0]
[09:34:29] scan: decoding previews for title 1
[09:34:29] scan: audio 0x1: mp3float, rate=44100Hz, bitrate=191999 English (MP3, 2.0 ch, 191 kbps)
[09:34:29] using bitstream PAR 1:1
[09:34:29] scan: 10 previews, 1920x800, 24.000 fps, autocrop = 0/0/0/0, aspect 2.40:1, PAR 1:1, color profile: 1-1-1, chroma location: left
[09:34:29] libhb: scan thread found 1 valid title(s)
[09:34:29] macgui: fr.handbrake.HandBrakeXPCService scan done
[09:34:29] macgui: fr.handbrake.HandBrakeXPCService started encoding tears_of_steel_1080p2.mp4
[09:34:29] macgui: fr.handbrake.HandBrakeXPCService with preset Fast 1080p30
[09:34:29] Starting work at: Mon May 27 09:34:29 2024

[09:34:29] 1 job(s) to process
[09:34:29] Starting Task: Encoding Pass
[09:34:29] work: skipping crop/scale filter
[09:34:29] work: only 1 chapter, disabling chapter markers
[09:34:29] job configuration:
[09:34:29]  * source
[09:34:29]    + /Users/REDACTED/Downloads/tears_of_steel_1080p.mov
[09:34:29]    + title 1, chapter(s) 1 to 1
[09:34:29]    + container: mov,mp4,m4a,3gp,3g2,mj2
[09:34:29]    + data rate: 6361 kbps
[09:34:29]  * destination
[09:34:29]    + /Users/REDACTED/Downloads/tears_of_steel_1080p2.mp4
[09:34:29]    + container: MPEG-4 (libavformat)
[09:34:29]      + align initial A/V stream timestamps
[09:34:29]  * video track
[09:34:29]    + decoder: h264 8-bit (yuv420p)
[09:34:29]      + bitrate 6162 kbps
[09:34:29]    + filters
[09:34:29]      + Comb Detect (mode=3:spatial-metric=2:motion-thresh=1:spatial-thresh=1:filter-mode=2:block-thresh=40:block-width=16:block-height=16)
[09:34:29]      + Decomb (mode=39)
[09:34:29]      + Framerate Shaper (mode=2:rate=27000000/900000)
[09:34:29]        + frame rate: 24.000 fps -> peak rate limited to 30.000 fps
[09:34:29]    + Output geometry
[09:34:29]      + storage dimensions: 1920 x 800
[09:34:29]      + pixel aspect ratio: 1 : 1
[09:34:29]      + display dimensions: 1920 x 800
[09:34:29]    + encoder: H.264 (libx264)
[09:34:29]      + preset:  fast
[09:34:29]      + profile: main
[09:34:29]      + level:   4.0
[09:34:29]      + quality: 22.00 (RF)
[09:34:29]      + color profile: 1-1-1
[09:34:29]      + color range: tv
[09:34:29]      + chroma location: left
[09:34:29]  * audio track 1
[09:34:29]    + decoder: English (MP3, 2.0 ch, 191 kbps) (track 1, id 0x1)
[09:34:29]      + bitrate: 191 kbps, samplerate: 44100 Hz
[09:34:29]    + mixdown: Stereo
[09:34:29]    + encoder: AAC (Apple AudioToolbox)
[09:34:29]      + bitrate: 160 kbps, samplerate: 44100 Hz
[09:34:29] sync: expecting 17620 video frames
[09:34:29] encx264: min-keyint: 24, keyint: 240
[09:34:29] encx264: encoding at constant RF 22.000000
[09:34:29] encx264: unparsed options: level=4.0:ref=2:8x8dct=0:weightp=1:subme=6:vbv-bufsize=25000:vbv-maxrate=20000:rc-lookahead=30
x264 [info]: using SAR=1/1
x264 [info]: using cpu capabilities: MMX2 SSE2Fast SSSE3 SSE4.2 AVX FMA3 BMI2 AVX2 UnalignedStack
x264 [info]: profile Main, level 4.0, 4:2:0, 8-bit
[09:34:29] sync: first pts video is 0
[09:34:29] sync: "Chapter 1" (1) at frame 1 time 0
[09:34:29] sync: first pts audio 0x1 is 0
[09:42:24] reader: done. 1 scr changes
[09:42:25] work: average encoding speed for job is 37.003986 fps
[09:42:25] comb detect: heavy 466 | light 2086 | uncombed 15068 | total 17620
[09:42:25] decomb: deinterlaced 466 | blended 2086 | unfiltered 15068 | total 17620
[09:42:25] vfr: 17620 frames output, 0 dropped and 0 duped for CFR/PFR
[09:42:25] vfr: lost time: 0 (0 frames)
[09:42:25] vfr: gained time: 0 (0 frames) (0 not accounted for)
[09:42:25] mp3float-decoder done: 28102 frames, 0 decoder errors
[09:42:25] h264-decoder done: 17620 frames, 0 decoder errors
[09:42:25] sync: got 17620 frames, 17620 expected
[09:42:25] sync: framerate min 24.000 fps, max 24.000 fps, avg 24.000 fps
x264 [info]: frame I:186   Avg QP:17.94  size:115715
x264 [info]: frame P:5541  Avg QP:21.55  size: 38130
x264 [info]: frame B:11893 Avg QP:24.38  size: 10755
x264 [info]: consecutive B-frames:  5.0% 12.1%  8.3% 74.5%
x264 [info]: mb I  I16..4: 33.5%  0.0% 66.5%
x264 [info]: mb P  I16..4:  8.7%  0.0%  7.7%  P16..4: 40.7% 15.6%  7.0%  0.0%  0.0%    skip:20.3%
x264 [info]: mb B  I16..4:  2.9%  0.0%  0.9%  B16..8: 27.6%  7.0%  0.5%  direct: 9.9%  skip:51.2%  L0:43.9% L1:47.2% BI: 8.9%
x264 [info]: coded y,uvDC,uvAC intra: 42.6% 64.8% 27.1% inter: 11.5% 20.8% 1.7%
x264 [info]: i16 v,h,dc,p: 37% 25% 17% 21%
x264 [info]: i4 v,h,dc,ddl,ddr,vr,hd,vl,hu: 23% 21% 20%  5%  8%  7%  7%  5%  5%
x264 [info]: i8c dc,h,v,p: 49% 22% 22%  7%
x264 [info]: Weighted P-Frames: Y:3.8% UV:1.5%
x264 [info]: ref P L0: 74.6% 25.4%
x264 [info]: ref B L0: 84.7% 15.3%
x264 [info]: ref B L1: 95.7%  4.3%
x264 [info]: kb/s:3930.55
[09:42:25] mux: track 0, 17620 frames, 360702791 bytes, 3930.25 kbps, fifo 1024
[09:42:25] mux: track 1, 31617 frames, 15264867 bytes, 166.33 kbps, fifo 2048
[09:42:25] Finished work at: Mon May 27 09:42:25 2024

[09:42:25] libhb: work result = 0
[09:42:26] macgui: Queue Done, there are no more pending encodes
[09:42:26] macgui: fr.handbrake.HandBrakeXPCService work done

[mduell]

How do you plan to upgrade the M2 CPU separately in the future?

[s55]

You are aware that the CPU and RAM are on a single package now in the Macs. They are non-upgradable.

[Rodeo314]

If the primary purpose was video encoding, you might have been better off with an M2 Pro, 16 GB of RAM and a smaller SSD + an external drive.

[qwerty123]

Hey, I know the Mac mini config is baked in at purchase, that's why I maxed out the RAM and upgraded the SSD. Buying the M2 Pro was outside my budget. Although I thought long and hard about an external Thunderbolt Sandisk PRO-G40 SSD 4TB option (which I still could add).

I meant that by having a separate box (not an iMac), I can swap the (CPU) box in the future to an Mx.

The primary purpose is not video encoding. Life has moved on, I haven't posted here prior to this in 16 years!

Thanks for the comments. The point of my post was that I was surprised that there has been 'so little' performance gain in 10 years.

Geekbench Multi-core benchmark

• 2023 Mac mini — 9759 https://browser.geekbench.com/macs/mac-mini-2023-8c-cpu
• 2014 iMac 5k — 3135 https://browser.geekbench.com/macs/imac ... hz-4-cores

i.e. 3.1x faster which is in line with my (as it turns out, pointless, stating-the-obvious) initial post.

I guess I'd assumed Moore's law would apply and perhaps I've seen too many impressive performance graphs during Apple launches!

[mduell]

A lot of those graphs were at same power, which as mentioned upthread the i5 and M2 aren't anywhere close.

Also the very different pricepoints mentioned above... you could have spent more, still less than the i5 was, and got 10x instead of 3x.

[qwerty123]

Like a Mac Studio — 21337 https://browser.geekbench.com/macs/mac- ... pu-60c-gpu
Not quite 10x, but close.

As I'm needing a replacement 5k 27" display (ASD costing $1500), on this upgrade I had to go modest on the CPU box. 3x video encoding speed is handy, but not my regular workflow.

Thanks all