- The M1 Max still offers higher GPU performance and memory bandwidth than the M5
- The M5 focuses on energy efficiency, AI performance and energy savings rather than focusing solely on performance.
- Your upgrade choice depends on your workload, battery life priorities and creative needs.
Mac Studio and MacBook Pro users with the M1 Max chip may be asking themselves the question that all power users eventually ask: is your device still up to date or is it time for an update?
Apple’s transition from the powerful M1 Max chip, launched in October 2021 alongside the M1 Pro, to the efficiency-focused M5, unveiled last week, shows how much has happened in just a few years.
On paper, the M5 has a modern architecture and better power efficiency, but the hardware serves an entirely different purpose, one that won’t necessarily interest all Mac users.
Inside Apple Silicon: Part 3 of a five-part series on the M-series processors
This article is the third in a five-part series dedicated to an in-depth look at Apple’s M processors, from the first M1 chip to the latest M5, including predictions for the upcoming M5 Ultra. Each article examines the evolution of these chips’ architecture, performance and design philosophy, as well as their impact on future Apple products.
the comparison
Released a year after the first M1, the M1 Max is designed for long-lasting, high-performance workloads. It has 10 CPU cores and a 32-core GPU with a memory bandwidth of 400 GB/s.
The M5 chip, which is used in the 14-inch MacBook Pro, new iPad Pro and an updated version of the Apple Vision Pro, offers up to ten processor cores, divided into four performance cores and six efficiency cores. (There are actually two versions of the M5: the 256GB and 512GB iPad Pro models use a nine-core and three-core processor.)
The GPU reaches a maximum of 10 cores, with a memory bandwidth of 153 GB/s, less than half of the M1 Max.
This decline reflects a broader trend at Apple that favors lower temperatures and better power per watt over pure performance.
With an estimated power consumption of 25W, the M5 is attractive for integration into compact fanless designs (perfect for MacBooks and iPads), but there are some trade-offs.
When it comes to graphics-intensive tasks, such as 3D rendering or machine learning, the M1 Max has a clear advantage in raw performance that efficiency gains can’t yet compensate for.
When it comes to CPU benchmarks, the M5 closes the gap with better single-core performance, useful for everyday tasks or light creative projects.
The multi-core score, estimated at 17,865, surpasses the M1 Max (13,188), showing Apple’s continued optimization of per-core performance.
For those who primarily work with applications or web code, the M5 is best suited for short-term use.
The most noticeable difference between the two chips is still the memory bandwidth. The M1 Max’s 400GB/s pipeline is designed to handle multiple high-resolution video streams or large textures. The M5’s 153 GB/s limit limits its capabilities in such scenarios.
Tasks that require consistently high memory performance, such as Final Cut Pro exports or complex Photoshop projects, should still run faster on the M1 Max, provided you have a corresponding memory configuration.
Energy efficiency and integration are the main strengths of the M5. With an improved neural engine that reaches around 133 trillion operations per second, it easily surpasses the 11 TOPS unit in the M1 Max.
This favors AI tasks performed directly on the device, such as real-time transcription or photo enhancement, areas where legacy architecture reaches its limits.
Neural Engine and Memory Bandwidth M1 Max v M5 M1 Max CPU and GPU performance compared to M5
M5Max?
Therefore, Mac users’ choices depend less on the age of their machine than on intended use. The M5 delivers a cooler, quieter and more balanced experience, especially on thin and light devices, while the M1 Max continues to deliver unprecedented graphics freedom for creative professionals.
For those looking for consistent performance on heavy tasks, the older chip has the advantage. For those looking for longer battery life, silence and AI acceleration, the M5 clearly stands out.
But a really even comparison (you could say “apples to apples”) would undoubtedly be with the upcoming M5 Max, which could see the light of day in a year or two.
According to estimates by Google Gemini (which also predicted the specifications of a hypothetical M5 Ultra), this chip could integrate a 32-core GPU, a memory bandwidth of 550 GB/s, an estimated multi-core score of 28,555 and a metal score of around 200,696, enough to combine the raw performance of the new generation from Apple’s M1 Maxi generation.
- Apple’s AI tsunami: M5 is a game changer
