M1 Max Real-World Unity Performance

Hey all. I just got my chunky new M1 Max 16" 32Core 64GB.

I got everything set up and have some numbers for you who are thinking of getting this machine.

I'll compare it to the top-end 2019 i9 16" (5500M 8GPU, 64MEM).

I will update this thread with more comparisons soon. Let me know what you'd like to see.
My project is not updated to the newest Native Silicon version yet.

Test 1 (2020.3.21 LTS) intel
For the very first test, I am testing the time it takes from changing a script in Visual Studio Mac, until Unity is responsive, on the current LTS version, which is NOT native silicon, and running under Rosetta.

The times given are in the same exact project, adding the same single whitespace line in the same exact C# file. Both machines are under a fresh reboot, with a freshly opened Unity instance.




Test 1 Conclusion:
For the case of changing a script -> Editor Responsive,
The top-end M1 Max is not as fast as the top-end 2019 i9 when running under Rosetta



Test 2 (2021.2.0) silicon

I've got my project updated to the newest 2021.2, which has a native apple silicon version available! There were some bugs, but my project does in fact work.

And here, is the same test using native versions of the editor!



Test 2 Conclusion:

Sadly, it looks like performance in Unity Editor has regressed in the new version 2021.2, versus 2020.3.21 LTS.

However, the Apple Silicon version of the editor combined with the new hardware is able to increase performance!




Test 3 (2020.3.21 vs 2021.2), intel

This is a comparison between two unity versions, on the same machine, the top-end 2019 i9.




Test 3 Conclusion:

Sadly, it looks like performance has regressed between Unity versions, by about 10%.
The compile times are insanely fast, but the Domain Script Assembly Reload time has increased.

The end result is that 2021.2 feels 10% slower to use, on the i9.

 

Well of course it wouldn't be running under Rosetta. Why would it be faster if it is translating instructions?

 

You should try the recent apple silicon editor.
You can find it when using the latest hub version (3.0 latest beta)
see https://forum.unity.com/threads/installing-the-native-apple-silicon-editor.1188253/

and post perf from there

 

I am very aware there is a new version that's on Silicon. Let me catch a break guys!

I also know that most people may be working on projects that can't migrate to the newest Silicon versions of Unity, and they would like to know the speed of the computer under Rosetta.

Trust me, I'm trying to get my project running good on the new version of Unity. I'll post stats once I get it working.

 

I got it open on 2021.2! I will post stats soon.

Luckily there were only a few issues to port my project over.
I'll write it here for posterity, in case anyone else has the same issues.

1. Movie files do not work under Silicon Editor currently. I had to delete all movie files from the Assets folder for it to not crash on launch.
2. Crunch textures do not work currently, and would crash the Silicon Editor on launch. Workaround: I imported the entire project under 2021.2 Intel (Rosetta) first, to bypass the texture crunch stage.
3. A plugin I was using had System.Buffers.dll. In the new version of Unity, this is not needed. I deleted the System.Buffers.dll in my project, and that solved the issue.
4. I was using PrefabUtility, which used to be in SceneManagement.Experimental.PrefabUtility It is now in SceneManagement.PrefabUtility.
5. Unity Editor was unresponsive, and I couldn't click anything. It wasn't thinking, everything in my scene had loaded. But the actual Editor buttons, dials, fields, menus, nothing worked. Cmd-Q worked to quit, and finally a reboot then relaunching unity made it work again.

 

Looking forward to your latest tests. Really considering buying an M1 Max for Unity development

 

Thanks @sameng! I was thinking of buying an M1 Max to improve productivity and *fingers crossed* address the editor iteration slowness.

Your accurate measurements and real-world comparison is incredibly valuable. Thank you so much for sharing your findings.

I'm glad you shared your regression findings with the Unity team so that they may remain focused on iteration performance. Hopefully it is their highest priority.

 

Thanks for sharing these numbers! My M1 Max is on the way and can't wait to see how well it performs.

If you have the time, it would be great to see a project build time comparison as well.

 

Nice writeup! Thanks!
If you find the time, could you maybe do this test: https://forum.unity.com/threads/com...-then-previous-versions.1123711/#post-7224826 and tell me your numbers?

i like that you took a real world project but for me for comparison with my current setup its easier to see how it behaves on an empty project thanks!

 

Indeed! now if only I could get along with that notch...

 

Whats the deal with the minecraft guy and the new macs?!

 

Sure. I just ran this test on an empty project, native silicon 2021.2.0

2.692s
2.650s
2.676s
2.555s
2.625s
2.673s
2.631s

So it looks like it's around 2.6s.

 

Download Topnotch, and the notch is hidden in a black bar

 

Im thinking of buying the new M1 Max macbook with the hope to get almost zero waiting time when hitting the Play button, with my current computer ( a 2016 model) it takes about 8 seconds, do you think I should upgrade? does it worth the 3000usd purchase ?

 

That's entirely based on thread performance, one thread at that.
So all that matters is single thread performance, you can see ranking here: https://www.cpubenchmark.net/singleThread.html

M1 max and M1 pro have the same CPU power I believe.
The new intel chips have impressive thread performance.

Although you won't be at 0, it'll be much better, but probably still take 2 seconds or 3.
You can enable playmode options, it'll become instant I think, but your code has to reset itself since it won't be doing it for you anymore

 

Hey thank you for the tip about the playmode options, now when I hit Play the response is instant, guess i just saved 3000 usd now, lol.

 

Well, I just got my Max and did initial testing on my current 2D-project vs my 2018 MBP, not a very complex project:

MBP 16” 2021
M1 Max
10 core processor
32 core graphics
16 core Neural Engine
32 GB Memory
1 TB SSD
macOS Monterey 12.0.1
Unity 2021.2.3f1 (silicon)


My current MBP:
MBP 15" 2018
2,6 GHz 6-Core i7
16 GB 2400 MHz DDR4
Radeon Pro 560X 4 GB Intel UHD Graphics 630 1536 MB
512 SSD
macOs Big Sure 11.6
Unity 2021.1.27.f1

The first tests I done so far is based on my current project, a small 2d card game that is not very complex. I have so far only done five tests, which is mostly things that annoys me the most on my current rig, except the FPS.

My initial Unity tests:

• Start project from the hub until it is accessible
  • Intel MBP: 33 sec
    
  • M1 Max: 12 sec
• Compile time from click save in VS + start in editor until project start:
  • Intel MBP: 16 sec
    
  • M1 Max: 7 sec
• Build project for IOS:
  • Intel MBP: 78 sec
    
  • M1 Max: 17 sec
• Reimport all assets:
  • Intel MBP: 113 sec
    
  • M1 Max: 28 sec
• FPS running app in editor:
  • Intel MBP: 297 FPS
    
  • M1 Max: 853 FPS

Will test more, like more complex projects, when I have the Max properly setup correctly and I have time.

 

Interesting, here is my numbers:

2021.2.3f1 Silicon

• 2.983 s
• 3.161 s
• 2.981 s
• 2.976 s
• 2.855 s

2021.2.4f1 Silicon

• 2.992 s
• 2.995 s
• 2.989 s
• 2.969 s
• 2.880 s

 

thanks, i hope they get the compile times back to 2020 or even 2019 style. In the meantime i guess i just stay away from 2021