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

[CUChris81]

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.  

[scottharris]

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. 

 

[CUChris81]

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. 

 

@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. 

[CarrieS]

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

[Michael_Gia]

On 4/15/2026 at 12:46 PM, CUChris81 said:

My current MBA (M4, 24gb) takes forever to render PBR

 

Apple will not help you here even if you waited for the M50000000000 Pro Max Super Ultra.

 

If you want quicker and better pbr from a Mac then just incorporate AI into your workflow to achieve that. 

 

AI in 20 seconds will improve the quality of your renderings way more than out of the box Chief pbr. 

 

Or get a pc.  I would rather stay with MacOs personally.

[para-CAD]

AI is the way forward for rendering. 
 

[Michael_Gia]

Here is about 12 seconds in Gemini. 

Standard render in Chief vs Gemini enhanced render.

 

This is my prompt:  "Increase photorealism of this image. Improve lighting, global illumination, reflections, shadows, and material texture resolution. Preserve the exact architecture, materials, proportions, windows, doors, and camera perspective. Do not modify the design in any way—only enhance realism and render quality."

Edited April 19 by Michael_Gia

[PhillipCA]

On 4/16/2026 at 10:11 AM, CUChris81 said:

test of the M5

 

@CUChris81 

 

We have updated the video card ray tracing speed chart to include an M5 Max (and a few other PC video cards). In this specific test it performed slightly faster than an M4 Max.

[para-CAD]

I will find out soon..............I skipped the M4 Max (wife has it).

 

M5 Max will arrive in 2 weeks.

 

I use AI for nice renders, so PBR real-time rendering isn't something I use or need.

My current rig is an M1 Max......this new machine is supposed to be twice as fast in CPU and GPU tests.  Real-world is where I hope it actually performs at.

 

[Michael_Gia]

13 hours ago, para-CAD said:

I use AI for nice renders, so PBR real-time rendering isn't something I use or need.

 

I hope Chief is listening...

[CUChris81]

On 4/30/2026 at 7:52 AM, Michael_Gia said:

 

I hope Chief is listening...

100%.  They don't seem to have a plan to incorporate AI at all, which is disappointing given our $2k yearly tithe.  At a very minimum they could at least integrate it as a coach so you could ask it specific questions about how to do things.  I don't love the idea at all of having to move back and forth between AI and CA on a project that has multiple renderings involved. Thats just obnoxious. 

[CUChris81]

On 4/29/2026 at 6:42 PM, para-CAD said:

I will find out soon..............I skipped the M4 Max (wife has it).

 

M5 Max will arrive in 2 weeks.

 

I use AI for nice renders, so PBR real-time rendering isn't something I use or need.

My current rig is an M1 Max......this new machine is supposed to be twice as fast in CPU and GPU tests.  Real-world is where I hope it actually performs at.

 

@para-CAD- This is the exact system I'm looking at getting.  Maybe with less RAM though to keep the cost somewhat in Check.  I'd love to know your experience with this as soon as it arrives and you take it for a spin.  PLEASE.  and Thanks.  

[CUChris81]

On 4/29/2026 at 3:53 PM, PhillipCA said:

 

@CUChris81 

 

We have updated the video card ray tracing speed chart to include an M5 Max (and a few other PC video cards). In this specific test it performed slightly faster than an M4 Max.

@PhillipCA.  Thanks for this, I appreciate it.  In your professional opinion, would you buy an M4 Max with a 40 core GPU or an M5 Max with a 32 core GPU?  Apple has some refurbished M4 Max machines that are about $500 cheaper than an M5.

[para-CAD]

It’s supposed to arrive on the 14th. I went with 64 gigs of RAM because that’s what I have on my M1 and I’ve never had it have to use swap to the SSD.

 

my M1 also has 4 TB of space and I’ve only used about 800 GB max so 4 TB seems to be the sweet spot for me

[PhillipCA]

@CUChris81

I can’t make a recommendation one-way-or-another on an M4 Max 40 core vs M5 max 32 core since we haven’t tested a M4 Max 40 core.

 

An M4 Max 40 core would be faster than the 32 core version. Does it meet or exceed an M5 Max 32 core? Maybe, but we haven’t test it. 

 

 

[JonathanK]

While I agree on the stance of AI, I personally do not want CA to remove or not focus on the PBR engine.

 

I still send many, many views out to clients utilizing this over AI.

 

Will that change in the future, Not sure.  But the prompting needed for AI takes far longer than it does to shoot some 3D views in PBR and move along.

But I'm also using a PC with a 5070Ti, not a Mac.  So I can crank a PBR picture out in about 3 seconds.

 

Maybe if I was on Mac I'd feel differently...

[Steve-C]

If you plan to use more than one external monitor you might as well wait for the Mac Studio. I ordered the M5 Max MacBook Pro (40GB GPU version) to see if it could be my main rig. I had two monitors hooked up to it and it ran well, but after a couple of hours work, anytime I worked in 3D the fans ramped up and the processor was obviously throttling. It has incredible power but it's probably too much for that form factor, at least it is if you use external monitors.

 

As for the Mac Studio, you can't find a new one anywhere, they are months out. You can find the occasional used one but they are gouging the heck out of people right now because that's the only way you can get one and probably will be for a while. I've seen some listed for as much as 50% above retail price, crazy! Apple has been craming so much RAM in their systems that they have created a production bottleneck.

[Michael_Gia]

On 5/12/2026 at 4:23 PM, JonathanK said:

But I'm also using a PC with a 5070Ti, not a Mac.  So I can crank a PBR picture out in about 3 seconds.

You lie 

[para-CAD]

My current M1 Max with 4TB of SSD and everything else was maxed out is driving a 43-inch monitor and a 27-inch monitor, both 4K, with no issues.
I don't think I've ever heard the fans come on. It's just a little bit slow, that's all.

 

My M5 order just was pushed right by 2 more weeks.  

 

 

[para-CAD]

My order was delayed again two more weeks.

So I canceled because I'm not going to wait a month.

Maybe I'll find something else.

Or maybe this M1 will just keep on rocking.

[Steve-C]

18 hours ago, para-CAD said:

My current M1 Max with 4TB of SSD and everything else was maxed out is driving a 43-inch monitor and a 27-inch monitor, both 4K, with no issues.
I don't think I've ever heard the fans come on. It's just a little bit slow, that's all.

 

Interesting. I was considering picking up an M4 Pro just to see if I could get decent performance without the overheating.

 

Apple is in a pickle with this RAM shortage, probably costing them multiple millions a day in lost sales.

[Steve-C]

23 hours ago, para-CAD said:

My order was delayed again two more weeks.

So I canceled because I'm not going to wait a month.

Maybe I'll find something else.

Or maybe this M1 will just keep on rocking.

 

Just an FYI, Best Buy has them in stock (the 2TB variant anyway). I decided to try the M5 Pro and I ordered from them. They have always been good about returns, so if I get more of the same as I did with the M5 max I'll send it back as well. I'm going out of town shortly after it arrives so I may not get to fully use it until the following week, but I will post an update once I have put it throught it's paces.

[para-CAD]

I was told by a Best Buy tech that any device outside their base line config is a special order.  4TB SSD kicked me into that world.  Even the apple stores around here don't carry that size.  

 

So in the mean time, I thought I would update my 12 Pro Max i-Phone to the 17 Pro Max (Xfinity offers $330 for my 12, Apple only offered $220).  Silly me, I wanted a 1TB storage option........they only carry 256GB.  Everything else was order only.  So what did I do..........got stupid and ordered a 2TB one.  It should be here tomorrow - THEY SAY.

 

Damn Apple....I'M TRYING TO THROW $$$$ YOUR WAY - Step up, gents!  

Apple card nets me 3% so that's cool....and we have been with Xfinity over 10 years so they have (2) $300 gift coupons, so they are providing a free Apple watch (giving to wife)

[JonathanK]

On 5/14/2026 at 1:19 PM, Michael_Gia said:

You lie 

 

You're right, for an interior it's more like 5 seconds for it to completely clear, but exteriors are pretty quick.  Like 3.5 seconds.

But I can roll around in PBR and it's always clear enough that I can see what I'm doing or where I'm going.

[Steve-C]

On 5/16/2026 at 2:19 PM, para-CAD said:

I was told by a Best Buy tech that any device outside their base line config is a special order.  4TB SSD kicked me into that world.  Even the apple stores around here don't carry that size.  

 

So in the mean time, I thought I would update my 12 Pro Max i-Phone to the 17 Pro Max (Xfinity offers $330 for my 12, Apple only offered $220).  Silly me, I wanted a 1TB storage option........they only carry 256GB.  Everything else was order only.  So what did I do..........got stupid and ordered a 2TB one.  It should be here tomorrow - THEY SAY.

 

Damn Apple....I'M TRYING TO THROW $$$$ YOUR WAY - Step up, gents!  

Apple card nets me 3% so that's cool....and we have been with Xfinity over 10 years so they have (2) $300 gift coupons, so they are providing a free Apple watch (giving to wife)

 

You should consider an external drive and use a base config. With the thunderbolt 5 ports the transfer speeds are as fast as an internal drive.

 

Impressive that you waited 5 years to upgrade, my max is 3 years lol. I tried the iPhone Max but the thing weighed a ton so I swaped it out for an iPhone Air, which I love!

 

I drove to Best Buy out of town yesterday and picked up the MacBook Pro with the M5 pro chip. So far so good. There is a noticable drop in graphics performance but it's subtle. The trade off is that it doesn't sound like an airplane about to takeoff. We'll see if that holds true after a long day working on it. I did open a couple of my larger plans this morning to try and get the fans to kick on but it has remained silent.