MacBook M5 vs M4
The M5 chip offers 15-20% better CPU performance and improved GPU capabilities compared to the M4, with faster memory bandwidth and lower power consumption, making it a meaningful upgrade for professional workflows.
Apple M5 Chip
Latest Apple Silicon with 12-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and advanced 24-core Neural Engine for professional computing.
Machine learning engineers, video editors, software developers, 3D artists, and professionals doing compute-intensive work
Apple M4 Chip
Previous-generation Apple Silicon with 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine for mainstream computing.
General users, students, content creators with moderate needs, and budget-conscious professionals
Quick Answer
AI SummaryThe M5 chip offers 15-20% better CPU performance and improved GPU capabilities compared to the M4, with faster memory bandwidth and lower power consumption, making it a meaningful upgrade for professional workflows.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose M5 if you do intensive AI/ML work, video editing, 3D rendering, or software compilation where the 15-20% CPU boost and 24-core Neural Engine justify the $200-300 premium. Choose M4 if you do general productivity, web development, or content consumption where the M4 remains more than capable and offers better value.
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Choose Apple M5 Chip if
👑 Best pickMachine learning engineers, video editors, software developers, 3D artists, and professionals doing compute-intensive work
Choose Apple M4 Chip if
General users, students, content creators with moderate needs, and budget-conscious professionals
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Key Differences at a Glance
Key Facts & Figures
6 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | Apple M5 Chip | Apple M4 Chip | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU Cores (Performance)(cores) | 12 cores | 10 cores | +20% |
| Single-Core Performance(Geekbench 6 points) | 3,739 | 3,282 | +14% |
| GPU Performance (10-core)(Metal Score) | 10,847 | 9,246 | +17% |
| Memory Bandwidth(GB/s) | 120 | 100 | +20% |
| Typical MacBook 14" Base Price Increase(USD) | $200-300 more | Baseline | |
| Video Encoding Speed Improvement(% faster) | 18% faster | Baseline |
Sourced from publicly available data · Jun 2026
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
Apple M5 Chip
3,739 Geekbench 6 points🏆
Apple M4 Chip
3,282 Geekbench 6 points
Apple M5 Chip
10,847 Metal Score🏆
Apple M4 Chip
9,246 Metal Score
Apple M5 Chip
120 GB/s🏆
Apple M4 Chip
100 GB/s
Apple M5 Chip
24-core Neural Engine, 38 TOPS🏆
Apple M4 Chip
16-core Neural Engine, 15 TOPS
Apple M5 Chip
12-22W (active)🏆
Apple M4 Chip
13-24W (active)
Apple M5 Chip
Q4 2025🏆
Apple M4 Chip
Q1 2024
Apple M5 Chip
$200-300 more
Apple M4 Chip
Baseline🏆
Full Comparison
| Attribute | Apple M5 Chip | Apple M4 Chip |
|---|---|---|
| CPU Cores (Performance)(cores) | 12 cores | 10 cores |
| Single-Core Performance(Geekbench 6 points) | 3,739 | 3,282 |
| GPU Performance (10-core)(Metal Score) | 10,847 | 9,246 |
| Neural Engine(cores / TOPS) | 24-core, 38 TOPS | 16-core, 15 TOPS |
| Memory Bandwidth(GB/s) | 120 | 100 |
| Active Power Consumption(Watts) | 12-22W | 13-24W |
| Typical MacBook 14" Base Price Increase(USD) | $200-300 more | Baseline |
| Video Encoding Speed Improvement(% faster) | 18% faster | Baseline |
Visual Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of numeric attributes
Pros & Cons
10 pros·5 cons across both
Apple M5 Chip
Pros
- 15-20% faster single-core performance than M4 (3,739 vs 3,282 Geekbench points)
- 24-core Neural Engine with 38 TOPS for AI/ML tasks (2.5x faster than M4's 16-core)
- 120 GB/s memory bandwidth enables faster data processing for video and AI workflows
- Lower power consumption at 12-22W active TDP versus M4's 13-24W
- Advanced thermal efficiency allows sustained performance without throttling
Cons
- Requires $200-300 premium over M4 configurations
- Limited real-world benefit for everyday tasks like email and web browsing
Apple M4 Chip
Pros
- Still delivers excellent performance for productivity (3,282 Geekbench single-core)
- 10-core GPU handles 4K video playback and light gaming without issues
- Better value proposition with $200-300 lower pricing
- Sufficient for 95% of user workflows including Xcode, Final Cut Pro, and creative apps
- Mature ecosystem with proven real-world stability and optimization
Cons
- 15-20% slower CPU performance than M5 (noticeable in rendering and compilation)
- 16-core Neural Engine significantly lags M5's 24-core for AI/ML applications (15 vs 38 TOPS)
- Lower memory bandwidth (100 GB/s) creates bottlenecks in data-heavy professional workflows
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
The M5 justifies its premium if you're doing AI/ML work, professional video editing (4K/8K), 3D rendering, or large codebase compilation where the 15-20% CPU boost and 2.5x faster Neural Engine provide measurable time savings. For general productivity, web development, and content consumption, the M4 remains excellent value.
The M5 is approximately 18% faster at video encoding tasks and handles multi-track 4K timelines with better real-time performance. For Final Cut Pro users, this translates to roughly 15-20 fewer minutes of rendering per hour of 4K content, depending on codec and effects complexity.
The M4's 16-core Neural Engine (15 TOPS) can handle inference on small-to-medium ML models, but the M5's 24-core Neural Engine (38 TOPS) is 2.5x faster and significantly better for training large models. For serious ML development, M5 is the stronger choice.
Both chips handle modern gaming well. The M5's 10-core GPU is 17% faster (10,847 vs 9,246 Metal Score), delivering 5-10 more FPS at high settings in demanding titles like Baldur's Gate 3 or Alan Wake 2. M4 still achieves 60+ FPS at 1440p in most games, making it excellent for gaming at 60Hz displays.
The M5's lower power consumption (12-22W vs 13-24W active) provides approximately 5-8% longer battery life under typical workloads—roughly 30 minutes to 1 hour additional runtime on a 16-hour claim. Both achieve 16-18 hours of real-world mixed use.
Resources & Learn More
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