M2 Ultra GPU vs L40
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | M2 Ultra GPU | L40 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3DMark Time Spy | 22,100 | 31,682 | -30.2% |
| Avg FPS @ 1080p | 175 | 231 | -24.2% |
| Avg FPS @ 1440p | 125 | 147 | -15.0% |
| Avg FPS @ 4K | 68 | 84 | -19.0% |
| VRAM | 192 GB Shared | 48 GB GDDR6 | — |
| Memory bandwidth (GB/s) | 800 | 864 | -7.4% |
| TDP (W) | 100 | 300 | — |
| Stable Diffusion (it/s) | 9.8 | 36.2 | -72.9% |
| LLM inference (tokens/s) | 55 | 53 | +3.8% |
- L40 averages 147 fps at 1440p versus 125 fps — about 15% faster.
- M2 Ultra GPU draws less power (100W vs 300W).
Verdict: M2 Ultra GPU or L40?
M2 Ultra GPU advantages
- Video memory (+75%)
- Power efficiency (+67%)
L40 advantages
- 1440p gaming (+15%)
- 4K gaming (+19%)
- Synthetic benchmark performance (+30%)
- Memory bandwidth (+7%)
- AI image generation (+73%)
Which should you choose?
- Choose the M2 Ultra GPU if you play the latest titles at high textures or do GPU-accelerated work.
- Choose the L40 if you game at 1440p.
- Choose the M2 Ultra GPU if you want lower power draw, heat and noise.
M2 Ultra GPU vs L40: which should you choose?
M2 Ultra GPU — Apple integrated graphics processor (2023, Rhodes) with 192 GB of Shared, averaging 125 fps at 1440p.
L40 — NVIDIA desktop graphics card (2022, Ada Lovelace) with 48 GB of GDDR6, averaging 147 fps at 1440p.
M2 Ultra GPU vs L40: L40 is faster for gaming. L40 averages 147 fps at 1440p versus 125 fps — about 15% faster. M2 Ultra GPU draws less power (100W vs 300W).
1080p, 1440p and 4K
At 1440p — the most common enthusiast resolution — the L40 averages 147 fps against 125. At 4K (68 vs 84 fps) VRAM (192GB vs 48GB) and memory bandwidth matter more.
AI and creator workloads
Beyond gaming, the L40 is quicker for AI image generation (36.2 vs 9.8 it/s in Stable Diffusion) and local LLM inference (55 vs 53 tokens/s), which increasingly matters for creators and developers.
Power and value
Board power is 100 W versus 300 W, which affects PSU headroom, case cooling and noise.
The verdict
Both are credible choices in the graphics card comparison space; the specification table above lays out every metric so you can weigh the trade-offs that matter to you. Pick the one whose strengths line up with how you will actually use it.
Frequently asked questions
Is the M2 Ultra GPU better than the L40?
L40 takes the overall edge, though M2 Ultra GPU wins in specific areas worth weighing. L40 averages 147 fps at 1440p versus 125 fps — about 15% faster.
What is the main difference between the M2 Ultra GPU and the L40?
L40 averages 147 fps at 1440p versus 125 fps — about 15% faster. M2 Ultra GPU draws less power (100W vs 300W).
Which should I choose?
Choose the M2 Ultra GPU if you play the latest titles at high textures or do GPU-accelerated work. Choose the L40 if you game at 1440p.
Methodology
Graphics cards are compared on 3DMark Time Spy scores, average gaming frame rates at 1080p/1440p/4K, FP32 compute throughput, VRAM capacity and type, memory bandwidth, board power (TDP) and launch MSRP — plus AI workload throughput (Stable Diffusion iterations/s and local LLM tokens/s) where measured. Vintage and server GPUs without modern benchmark results are compared on specifications only, clearly labelled. Frame rates are averages across a game suite at high settings; specific titles vary.