Geekbench 6 is a MacOS app that benchmarks CPU and GPU performance using tasks that mirror real-world usage. Its four main score types — Single-Core, Multi-Core, GPU Compute, and ML Workloads — each reflect different aspects of device performance.
Single-Core CPU Score
What it measures:
Performance of a single CPU core.
Real-world relevance:
– App launch times, UI responsiveness
– Web browsing, email, basic productivity
– Games and tasks that don’t use multiple threads
High single-core scores suggest smoother performance in everyday, lightly threaded workloads.
Multi-Core CPU Score
What it measures:
Combined performance across all CPU cores.
Real-world relevance:
– Running many apps or browser tabs
– Video editing, software compiling, data crunching
– Background syncs or emulation
A strong multi-core score benefits pros and heavy multitaskers.
GPU Compute Score
What it measures:
General-purpose GPU performance using APIs like Metal, OpenCL, or Vulkan.
Real-world relevance:
– Accelerated photo and video editing
– 3D rendering, simulations
– Machine learning inference
Though it’s not a direct gaming benchmark, it reflects the GPU’s compute ability for creative and technical workflows.
In short: Geekbench 6 is designed to reflect real-world performance across modern devices. While synthetic, its tests map closely to tasks users care about, making it a practical benchmark for comparing Macs.