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Apple M5 — 10C CPU · 10C GPU · Next-gen NPU
Apple

Apple M5

10C CPU · 10C GPU · Next-gen NPU

94
/ 100
From $1,299
VS
Apple M5 wins by 2
Apple M4 — 10C CPU · 10C GPU · Ray-Tracing
Apple

Apple M4

10C CPU · 10C GPU · Ray-Tracing

92
/ 100
From $1,099
Specdex verdict

Apple M5 takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Apple M5 lands at 94 and Apple M4 at 92. That puts Apple M5 ahead by 2 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Apple M5 if…

  • ✓Perf-per-watt improved ~18% vs M4
  • ✓Enhanced ray tracing
  • ✓16-core Neural Engine v5 (50 TOPS)

Pick Apple M4 if…

  • ✓Industry-best perf-per-watt
  • ✓Hardware ray tracing on iGPU
  • ✓LPDDR5X 120 GB/s
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Gaming

Apple M5

Frame-rate-bound workloads — favours cache and single-thread speed

Apple M5 leads on gaming (78 vs 72).

Creators & productivity

Apple M5

Rendering, compilation, heavy multitasking — favours core count

Apple M5 leads on multi (90 vs 86).

Power efficiency

Tie

Performance per watt — thermals, PSU headroom, electricity cost

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Value for money

Apple M4

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Apple M4 more score per dollar ($1,099 vs $1,299).

Apple M5 94
vs
92 Apple M4

Score breakdown

Apple M5
94
single 100
multi 90
gaming 78
efficiency 100
Apple M4
92
single 100
multi 86
gaming 72
efficiency 100

Specs side-by-side

Apple M5 versus Apple M4 — full spec comparison
Spec Apple M5 Apple M4
Cores
10 (4P+6E)
10 (4P+6E)
Memory bandwidth
▲ 150 GB/s
120 GB/s
Neural engine
16-core, 50 TOPS
16-core, 38 TOPS
Process
TSMC N3P
TSMC N3E

Apple M5

Pros
  • +Perf-per-watt improved ~18% vs M4
  • +Enhanced ray tracing
  • +16-core Neural Engine v5 (50 TOPS)
Cons
  • −Apple-ecosystem only
  • −Limited to first-party products
  • −No Windows gaming story

Apple M4

Pros
  • +Industry-best perf-per-watt
  • +Hardware ray tracing on iGPU
  • +LPDDR5X 120 GB/s
Cons
  • −Only in Apple products
  • −Limited Windows gaming
  • −Entry-tier 8 GB RAM is tight for ML

FAQ: Apple M5 vs Apple M4

Which is better, Apple M5 or Apple M4? +

Apple M5 scores 94 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 2. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Apple M5 worth the price? +

At $1,299, Apple M5 delivers a Specdex score of 94 — strongest in single.

Is Apple M4 worth the price? +

At $1,099, Apple M4 delivers a Specdex score of 92 — strongest in single.

Does Apple M5 or Apple M4 last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for gaming, Apple M5 or Apple M4? +

Apple M5 — leads on gaming (78 vs 72). Frame-rate-bound workloads — favours cache and single-thread speed.

Which is better for creator and productivity work, Apple M5 or Apple M4? +

Apple M5 — leads on multi (90 vs 86). Rendering, compilation, heavy multitasking — favours core count.