The 20-core Grace CPU paired with NVIDIA’s Blackwell GPU offers a solid combination to transform the RTX Spark into a capable chipset, but how well does this translate into benchmarks? Well, the first numbers are here, displaying that NVIDIA’s ARM-based SoC is a decent performer, beating Apple’s M5 by a considerable margin while losing to the M5 Pro.
Even AMD’s 16-core Ryzen AI Max+ 395 is no match for the RTX Spark either, with only the power-hungry Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX and M5 Pro getting the better of their new rival
In the Clang benchmark, which was shared by @lafaiel on X, it was compared against a host of laptop processors and various Apple Silicon, and even though the RTX Spark is said to feature older-generation ARM CPU designs, it puts up a decent showing against fierce competition. The advantage of NVIDIA’s SoC is that it’s equipped with an increased core count, which is why it beat the likes of the M5 and AMD’s Ryzen AI Max+ 395 by a hefty margin.
The M5, which sports a 10-core CPU, achieved a score of 27,996, whereas the RTX Spark obtained 43,149, making it 54.13 percent faster. The Core Ultra 9 285HX managed to barely get ahead of its latest rival, which is impressive, considering that Intel’s laptop processor operates at a significantly higher wattage and boasts a 24-core count.
Last, but certainly not least, the 15-core version of the M5 Pro was barely faster than the RTX Spark, achieving a score of 46,374, making NVIDIA’s chipset 6.95 percent slower. This difference expands with the 18-core version of the M5 Pro and by quite a bit, with the latter obtaining a score of 55,165, with the RTX Spark now 21.78 percent slower.
| Chipsets | Clang score | Compile speed | Score difference | Compile speed difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RTX Spark (20-core CPU) | 43,149 | 212.5 Klines per second | ||
| M5 (10-core CPU) | 27,996 | 137.9 Klines per second | RTX Spark is 54.13% faster than the M5 | The RTX Spark is 54.10% faster than the M5 |
| M5 Pro (15-core CPU) | 46,374 | 228.4 Klines per second | RTX Spark is 6.95% slower than the M5 Pro | RTX Spark is 6.96% slower than the M5 Pro |
| M5 Pro (18-core CPU) | 55,165 | 271.7 Klines per second | RTX Spark is 21.78% slower than the M5 Pro | RTX Spark is 21.79% slower than the M5 Pro |
Looking at these figures, the RTX Spark sits somewhere between the M5 and M5 Pro, but this is just one benchmark instance, as there will be more to follow. We’re particularly looking forward to gaming comparisons, where we feel that the RTX Spark may have the upper hand, as NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang demonstrated that AAA titles like 007 First Light and Forza Horizon 6 were running on laptops with this silicon. Surprisingly, they appeared to be running fluidly on battery power.
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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