What are the default graphics options for the Mac Studio? Are graphics upgrades available?

The Mac Studio models use an SoC (System on a Chip) that integrates the processor (CPU) and graphics processor (GPU).

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Mac Studio)

Traditionally, video processors that have "integrated" memory -- meaning that memory is shared with the system -- tend to be lower performance than those with "dedicated" memory reserved for the video processor, but benchmarks show that this is not really the case for the Mac Studio.

Mac Studio M1 2022 Graphics Options

The two now discontinued Mac Studio "M1 2022" models -- the Mac Studio "M1 Max" 10 CPU/24 GPU and Mac Studio "M1 Ultra" 20 CPU/48 GPU -- were equipped by default with a 10-Core CPU and a 24-Core GPU and a 20-Core CPU and 48-Core GPU, respectively.

However, at the time of system purchase, the entry-level Mac Studio "M1 Max" 10 CPU/24 GPU model also could be custom configured with these CPU/GPU combos:

• M1 Max 10-Core CPU/32-Core GPU
• M1 Ultra 20-Core CPU/48-Core GPU
• M1 Ultra 20-Core CPU/64-Core GPU

The higher-end model -- the Mac Studio "M1 Ultra" 20 CPU/48 GPU -- also could be custom configured with a M1 Ultra 20-Core CPU and 64-Core GPU.

Mac Studio M2 2023 Graphics Options

The current "M2 2023" models -- the Mac Studio "M2 Max" 12 CPU/30 GPU and Mac Studio "M2 Ultra" 24 CPU/60 GPU -- are configured by default with a 12-Core CPU and a 30-Core GPU and a 24-Core CPU and 60-Core GPU, respectively.

The entry-level Mac Studio "M2 Max" 12 CPU/30 GPU also can be custom configured with these CPU/GPU combos:

• M2 Max 12-Core CPU/38-Core GPU
• M2 Ultra 24-Core CPU/60-Core GPU
• M2 Ultra 24-Core CPU/76-Core GPU
  

The higher-end model -- the Mac Studio "M2 Ultra" 24 CPU/60 GPU -- also can be custom configured with an M2 Ultra 24-Core CPU and 76-Core GPU.

It is not possible to upgrade the video processor in any Mac Studio after the initial system purchase.

What is the maximum resolution supported by the default configuration of the Mac Studio? How many displays can it support?

Regardless of the GPU, all "M1 Max", "M1 Ultra", and "M2 Max" Mac Studio models support "up to" five simultaneous displays -- four displays "up to" 6K resolution (6016x3384) at 60 Hz via USB-C and one display "up to" 4K (4096x2160) at 60 Hz via HDMI.

The "M2 Ultra" Mac Studio models support even more displays. These models support "up to" eight simultaneous displays at 4096x2160 (4K) resolution at 60 Hz, "up to" six simultaneous displays at 6016x3384 (6K) resolution at 60 Hz, or "up to" three simultaneous displays at 7680x4320 (8K).

Does the Mac Studio support an eGPU?

An eGPU -- or external Graphics Processing Unit -- essentially is a graphics card in a box connected to a computer.

For any Intel-based Mac that has Thunderbolt 3 ports there are a variety of compatible eGPU models. However, these eGPUs explicitly are not compatible with Apple Silicon-powered Macs like the Mac Studio at all.

Perhaps in the future Apple will release its own compatible eGPU for Apple Silicon Macs, or allow third-parties to do so, but it seems increasingly unlikely. At least at the moment, the answer is simply no.