How much faster is the M5 chip compared to the M4?

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The M5 chip delivers meaningful performance improvements over the M4 across every major metric.

CPU Performance

In single-core tests, the M5 scores approximately 4,288 on Geekbench 6—roughly 10% faster than the M4. Multi-core performance sees a larger jump: 17,926 versus the M4's 15,114, an 18% improvement that benefits tasks like compiling, rendering, and anything that spreads work across multiple cores.

GPU Performance

Graphics gains are even more impressive. The M5 delivers up to 30% faster performance in traditional graphics work, while the third-generation ray tracing engine provides up to 45% better performance in ray-traced workloads. For 3D applications and games that use ray tracing, this translates to a noticeable, tangible difference.

Memory Bandwidth

One of the most significant improvements is memory bandwidth: 153 GB/s on the M5 versus 120 GB/s on the M4—a nearly 30% increase. This benefits memory-intensive workflows like video editing, 3D rendering, and AI workloads.

Storage Speed

SSD performance improved substantially. Real-world file transfers reach approximately 1,917 MB/s on the M5 compared to 1,167 MB/s on the M4—not quite Apple's claimed 2x improvement, but a remarkable year-over-year leap nonetheless.

Bottom Line

For M4 owners, these improvements are incremental. For those upgrading from M1, M2, or Intel machines, the cumulative gains are substantial and worth the investment.

Considering an upgrade? Check current prices on the MacBook Pro 14-inch M5 to find the best deal.