M5 gaming

[M4pro]

M5 is a big upgrade because Apple added significant capabilities to the GPU.

Leman and Name99 saw this coming. Their dialogue gave everyone a heads-up that enhanced matmul acceleration might arrive with M5.

It’s here. M5’s higher GPU performance is the result of Apple engineering new GPU hardware components.

 

[Icelus]

I know. I am comparing MBP laptops here.

In 2021 MacBook Pro with M1 chip had 200GB/s memory bandwidth. Whereas in 2025 MacBoom Pro comes with slower memory bandwidth. Both are supposed to be PRO laptops. You get my point?!

You could buy a MacBook Pro with an M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max or M1 Ultra CPU.
The M1 CPU has a 68 GB/s bandwidth, the M1 Pro CPU 200 GB/s (the CPU in the picture you posted).

 

[MaxVerstappen]

You could buy a MacBook Pro with an M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max or M1 Ultra CPU.
The M1 CPU has a 68 GB/s bandwidth, the M1 Pro CPU 200 GB/s (the CPU in the picture you posted).

No, I'm talking about the 14/16 line up mate. There was no M1 option. It was straight to M1 pro

 

[MaxVerstappen]

You could buy a MacBook Pro with an M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max or M1 Ultra CPU.
The M1 CPU has a 68 GB/s bandwidth, the M1 Pro CPU 200 GB/s (the CPU in the picture you posted).

There has never been a MacBook Pro with an Ultra Chip, I think you are confusing the Mac Studio with a MBP mate.

 

[leman]

I’m talking about the Pro models here specifically.


MacBook Pro with M5 is slower than the entry level 2021 MacBoom Pro with M1 Pro. Apple shouldn’t be using the slow M5 chip with Pro laptops. It should be using the M5 Pro. The slower memory bandwidth is embarrassing.

They discontinued the 13" MacBook Pro with the base chip and added a new entry-level 14" MacBook Pro option. The Mx Pro model starts at $1999, the baseline Mx (non-pro) model is $1599.

There is no discrepancy, and nothing is "embarrassing". You merely get a lower-cost option if you want the good display/chassis but don't need the extra performance of the Mx Pro chip.

 

[MaxVerstappen]

They discontinued the 13" MacBook Pro with the base chip and added a new entry-level 14" MacBook Pro option. The Mx Pro model starts at $1999, the baseline Mx (non-pro) model is $1599.

There is no discrepancy, and nothing is "embarrassing". You merely get a lower-cost option if you want the good display/chassis but don't need the extra performance of the Mx Pro chip.

Then why is called a MacBook Pro mate? It's not a Pro machine. The transfer speeds are crucial when it comes to professionals, 157GB/s is indeed embarrassing for a supposedly Pro model.

 

[Homy]

No, I'm talking about the 14/16 line up mate. There was no M1 option. It was straight to M1 pro

Pointless comparison! Apple simply upgraded the base MBP with 14” screen with M3 so since then there haven’t been any 13” MBPs. So they haven’t downgraded anything. On the contrary they have upgraded the base MBP with larger screen.

MacBook Pro "M3" 8 CPU/10 GPU 14" Specs (14-Inch, M3, Late 2023, MTL73LL/A*, Mac15,3, A2918, 8304*): EveryMac.com

Technical specifications for the MacBook Pro "M3" 8 CPU/10 GPU 14". Dates sold, processor type, memory info, hard drive details, price and more.

everymac.com

 

[MaxVerstappen]

Pointless comparison! Apple simply upgraded the base MBP with 14” screen with M3 so since then there haven’t been any 13” MBPs. So they haven’t downgraded anything. On the contrary they have upgraded the base MBP with larger screen.

MacBook Pro "M3" 8 CPU/10 GPU 14" Specs (14-Inch, M3, Late 2023, MTL73LL/A*, Mac15,3, A2918, 8304*): EveryMac.com

Technical specifications for the MacBook Pro "M3" 8 CPU/10 GPU 14". Dates sold, processor type, memory info, hard drive details, price and more.

everymac.com

Nah, Apple should have simply discontinued the binned model and be done with it. Just have the Pro and Max chip configured models. Less confusion.

 

[AlumaMac]

M5 is a big upgrade because Apple engineered significantly changes to the GPU.

Leman and Name99 saw this coming. Their dialogue gave everyone a heads-up these improvements might arrive with M5.

M5’s higher GPU performance is a product of Apple engineering new GPU hardware.

Gonna need to upgrade your username

 

[Homy]

Nah, Apple should have simply discontinued the binned model and be done with it. Just have the Pro and Max chip configured models. Less confusion.

Why? You don’t seem to be confused so why would any other pro user be? People can read, can’t they?

The pro in the base model simply relates to the active cooling, the fan. MBA 15” has larger screen but isn’t called pro due to lack of fan. If you don’t like the labeling, fine but Apple has given pros simply more options which is better than less options, something they’re often blamed for.

 

[MayaUser]

Nah, Apple should have simply discontinued the binned model and be done with it. Just have the Pro and Max chip configured models. Less confusion.

You are the only one confused here.
We are here talking about facts and not what "should or would"
Here we are talking about the base SoC as the OP intended
Please no more off topic about what should have been or about M Pro or M Max

 

[leman]

Then why is called a MacBook Pro mate? It's not a Pro machine. The transfer speeds are crucial when it comes to professionals, 157GB/s is indeed embarrassing for a supposedly Pro model.

That sounds like a very strong opinion given how inconsequential the topic is. Then again, you do you. Everyone needs hobbies.

 

[Plutonius]

Then why is called a MacBook Pro mate? It's not a Pro machine. The transfer speeds are crucial when it comes to professionals, 157GB/s is indeed embarrassing for a supposedly Pro model.

The pro in the name doesn't have anything to do with professionals.

It's just Apple marketing and is used to differentiate it from the base model (MacBook).

They might as well as called it MacBook Good and MacBook Better .

 

[Icelus]

The pro in the name doesn't have anything to do with professionals.

It's just Apple marketing and is used to differentiate it from the base model (MacBook).

They might as well as called it MacBook Good and MacBook Better .

I agree, but I've also heard people basing this on Steve Jobs' (original) product segments.

 

[JaraCz]

Should I change my 16” M2Max for M5?

 

[teh_hunterer]

1.6, 1.4 and those are not big... It's just a revision to make people buy this MacBook Pro...

Haha are you kidding? 1.6x the frame rate is actually quite big. That's 40fps to 64fps. Or 60fps to 92fps. For gamers (which is the point of this thread) that is indeed big.

 

[Astuces iOS]

Haha are you kidding? 1.6x the frame rate is actually quite big. That's 40fps to 64fps. Or 60fps to 92fps. For gamers (which is the point of this thread) that is indeed big.

 

[maflynn]

Then why is called a MacBook Pro mate?

The pro moniker is there for marketing, it has nothing to do with the class of the machine

 

[teh_hunterer]

View attachment 2568857

That's a completely different argument. You said that a 1.6x frame rate increase isn't big, but for one single generation that is actually quite impressive.

 

[Astuces iOS]

That's a completely different argument. You said that a 1.6x frame rate increase isn't big, but for one single generation that is actually quite impressive.

No I was talking about performances there... not frames

 

[diamond.g]

View attachment 2568220

I wonder if at these settings they are still GPU bound. Running at such a "low" resolution, then upscaling seems like they would be hitting CPU limits before GPU limits.

 

[salamanderjuice]

I agree, but I've also heard people basing this on Steve Jobs' (original) product segments.

Which got muddled pretty fast. Even by 2005 it didn't really hold. You had the 12" PowerBook G4, which was basically an iBook in a nice case and not really better Nvidia Graphics (arguably worse tbh). The iMac kinda moved up market with the G4/G5 and the introduction of the eMac/mac Mini.