Apple’s M5 Chip Matches M1 Ultra in Early Benchmarks
▼ Summary
– Apple has introduced the M5 chip built on a 3nm process, currently available only in the 14-inch MacBook Pro.
– The base M5 chip features 4 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores, with no Pro, Max, or Ultra versions yet released.
– In multi-core performance, the M5 nearly matches the 2022 M1 Ultra, trailing by only 6% in Geekbench 6 benchmarks.
– It also performs similarly to the binned M3 Max chip, scoring just 5% lower in multi-core tests.
– Apple silicon’s progression means high-end performance from recent years is now accessible in baseline models, starting at $1599 for the MacBook Pro.
The first benchmarks for Apple’s new M5 processor reveal performance that nearly equals the formidable M1 Ultra chip from just a few years ago. This represents a remarkable leap forward for Apple’s silicon, bringing what was once exclusive to high-end desktops into the realm of standard laptops. Currently featured in the 14-inch MacBook Pro, the base M5 configuration demonstrates how rapidly computing power is becoming more accessible.
It’s important to recognize that this is the entry-level M5 chip. Apple has not yet released the anticipated M5 Pro, M5 Max, or M5 Ultra variants. The standard M5 includes four performance cores and six efficiency cores, mirroring the core configuration of its predecessor, the M4. For comparison, the M4 Pro offered up to ten performance cores and four efficiency cores, while the M4 Max pushed that further with twelve performance cores.
In multi-core performance measured by Geekbench 6, the base M5 chip comes within 6% of the M1 Ultra’s score. Considering the M1 Ultra was only available in a four-thousand-dollar Mac Studio in 2022, this performance parity is striking. The new chip also performs similarly to the binned version of the M3 Max, which typically scores around 18,933 in multi-core tests. The M5 trails that specific chip by a mere 5%.
Apple’s custom silicon continues to deliver impressive generational improvements. Computing power that recently demanded a significant financial investment is now appearing in mainstream devices. While the M5 currently resides in the $1,599 14-inch MacBook Pro, it is expected to eventually reach more affordable products like the $999 MacBook Air and the $599 Mac mini.
What are your thoughts on the new M5-powered devices? Does this level of performance in a baseline model influence your purchasing decisions, or are you waiting for future iterations? Share your perspective in the comments section below.
For those interested, here are some highly-rated Apple accessory suggestions that complement the latest hardware.
(Source: 9to5 Mac)
