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.
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