M5 (Pro or Max) MacBook Pro w CA17 (Current User Feedback Please!)


CUChris81
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Hi. Looking to chat with anyone who is using a MPB with either the M5 Pro or Max chip.  Specifically how it is handling PBR renderings (speed, quality).  

 

Tech support recommends that I upgrade to a PC, but I'm loathe to leave the Mac ecosystem.  

 

My current MBA (M4, 24gb) takes forever to render PBR renderings on any settings, and I need to speed this up as they are in high demand by my clients.  CA also stutters in plan view or elevation view (standard or vector) when screen sharing via zoom, which I'm hoping to eliminate or at least minimize.  This is a crazy expense so I need to make the best decision possible here.   Thinking either the M5 Pro (18CPU, 20GPU w 64GB) versus an M5 Max with 18/32/36.  Would very much appreciate feedback.  

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13 hours ago, scottharris said:

Our blog on system specs does not yet have the M5.  I have an M4 MBP and a PC with a 4080 - the 4080 is very fast in comparison.  I'm sure the M5 MBP will be faster than the M4, but not nearly as fast as a PC with a NVIDIA 5 series. 

 

image.thumb.png.1e2d211fdc58bba2d811f1b4edecfbb6.png

@scottharris  Thanks for this.  I did actually discover this chart yesterday after my post, it's very helpful.  Is there a test of the M5 anywhere on the horizon, just out of curiosity?  From what I can tell via online reviews it is about 25% faster than the M4, which puts it in the ballpark of feasibility for my use case.  Also, just to confirm the M5's are supported, correct?  It is not listed under the compatible machinery on your site, but I notice that list has not been updated since 2025.  I appreciate your involvement here, I am just obsessing over this decision as it's the biggest expense I'll incur this year. 

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Hi Chris, 

 

Yes M5's are supported. 

 

Looks like the M5‑series chips are generally outperforming the M4 generation, and early benchmarks show the M5 Max pulling ahead even of the M3 Ultra, despite the Ultra’s advantage from its dual‑die design.

 

Links for reference:
https://www.macworld.com/article/3081408/m5-max-16-inch-macbook-pro-review.html

https://browser.geekbench.com/v6/cpu/16884909 M5 Max

https://browser.geekbench.com/v6/cpu/10992635 M4 Max

https://browser.geekbench.com/macs/mac-studio-2025-32c-cpu-80c-gpu        M3 Ultra

https://browser.geekbench.com/v6/cpu/compare/10919322?baseline=16884909 Comparison M5 Max MBP/M3 Ultra Studio

 

 

This site has some performance metrics that might be useful. It doesn't have the M5s yet but probably will over time. it can give you an idea of the trend. If you click the "Metal" tab/link it will dial more into graphics performance rather than overall:
https://browser.geekbench.com/mac-benchmarks

 

There’s also a rumor that Apple may release an M5 Ultra. If that happens, it would almost certainly exceed the M3 Ultra’s performance—and likely the M5 Max as well—though pricing would probably be in the premium tier:
https://www.macworld.com/article/2973459/2026-mac-studio-m5-release-date-specs-price-rumors.html 

 

I don't know the timeline for Chief to be able to test the M5s but I hope information this helps in the interim!

 

Carrie

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