M1 Fusion 360: A Game-Changer for CAD and 3D Modeling

Apple's latest M1-powered iMac has taken the world by storm, leaving Intel-based competitors in its dust. In our testing on an iMac Pro (2017 model) with a Xeon processor, we saw a whopping 1100-point difference - a staggering gap that highlights the M1's impressive performance-per-watts capabilities.

In our Geekbench 5 single-core test, we achieved an incredible score of 1748, beating the reference score for a 2020 27-inch iMac by a significant margin. No Intel chip comes close to matching the M1 in single-core performance, with AMD's 5000 series (Zen 3) chips being the closest competitors.

The Firestorm core(s) in the Apple M1 chip are responsible for this exceptional performance, making it an ideal choice for demanding tasks like CAD modeling and 3D rendering. In these workflows, single-core performance is king, and the M1 delivers.

While some aspects of CAD software can be optimized for parallel processing (multithreaded) performance improvements, most 2/3D CAD applications are 'single-threaded' and not designed to take full advantage of multiple CPU cores. This means that even high-performance CPUs like the Xeon processor in our iMac Pro test machine may struggle to keep up with the M1's processing prowess.

In recent conversations with Siemens Parasolid, we've discussed how their market-leading modeling kernel can be optimized for multi-threaded processing, taking advantage of more CPU cores. However, these optimizations are limited and don't change the fundamental nature of CAD software, which is largely single-threaded.

The takeaway from this analysis is clear: Apple's M1 chip is a game-changer for CAD and 3D modeling workflows, offering market-leading single-core performance and upper-midrange GPU capabilities. Whether you're working with Revit models, SolidWorks models, or SketchUp models, the M1 delivers exceptional results.

In our recent feature on Architosh, we explored the M1 Mac mini vs iMac Pro 2017 vs Everyone (Part 1), diving deep into the performance of these machines and their implications for CAD and 3D modeling. For a more detailed analysis, readers are encouraged to explore that article.

Ultimately, the Apple M1 chip's impressive performance makes it an attractive choice for professionals and enthusiasts alike, offering stunning results in demanding workflows like CAD modeling and 3D rendering. With its thin design and market-leading single-core processing, the new iMac is poised to revolutionize the world of 2/3D CAD and 3D modeling.

Macbook pro m1 fusion 360