Buckle up, tech enthusiasts – the M5 chip in Apple's latest 14-inch MacBook Pro has just smashed a major record in performance benchmarks, leaving competitors in the dust and sparking debates about the future of computing power!
Let's dive into the exciting details. A single, unverified benchmark result from Geekbench 6 (accessible via this link: https://browser.geekbench.com/v6/cpu/14496729) has emerged for the M5 chip powering the new 14-inch MacBook Pro. This allows us to make some fascinating performance comparisons with other processors out there. For those new to this, Geekbench is a popular tool that tests how well a computer's processor handles everyday tasks, like running apps or games, by measuring speed and efficiency.
Based on this one result uploaded to the Geekbench 6 database today, the M5 chip has achieved something truly remarkable. It scored an astounding 4,263 points in single-core CPU performance – that's the highest single-core score ever recorded in the Geekbench 6 database for any Mac or PC processor. To put this in simple terms for beginners, single-core performance focuses on how fast one core of the processor can handle a single task at a time, kind of like a solo runner sprinting as fast as possible.
Inside the 14-inch MacBook Pro, the M5 chip boasts a 10-core CPU setup: four high-performance cores designed for demanding tasks that need raw speed, and six efficiency cores that handle lighter workloads while sipping less power. The single-core score specifically measures the peak output of just one of those performance cores. On the flip side, the multi-core score gauges the combined power when all 10 cores work together, which is crucial for multitasking or running complex programs simultaneously.
Why does this matter? Well, multi-core scores highlight a chip's ability to juggle multiple threads of work, making it ideal for heavy-duty applications like video editing or 3D rendering. But single-core performance isn't outdated – it's still vital for certain games, apps, and overall system responsiveness. Think of it as the difference between a team lifting a heavy weight together (multi-core) versus one strong person doing a quick lift (single-core). A snappy system feels more responsive in daily use, like opening apps instantly or browsing the web without lag.
And this is the part most people miss: while multi-core might steal the headlines for big tasks, single-core prowess can make or break user experience in everyday scenarios. But here's where it gets controversial – is Apple unfairly dominating these benchmarks with custom silicon, or is this just innovation at its finest?
Let's look at the leaderboard for single-core scores in the Geekbench 6 database across Macs and PCs:
- M5 (14-inch MacBook Pro): 4,263
- M4 Max (16-inch MacBook Pro): 3,914
- M4 Pro (16-inch MacBook Pro): 3,871
- M4 (Mac mini): 3,784
- AMD Ryzen 9950X3D: 3,399
Notably, the M5 chip in the new iPad Pro posted a comparable single-core score of 4,175 (check it out here: https://browser.geekbench.com/v6/cpu/14174832) based on current Geekbench 6 data.
Shifting gears to multi-core performance, the M5 chip in the 14-inch MacBook Pro hit 17,862 points in this lone result. This translates to up to 20% faster multi-core speeds than the M4 chip in the previous 14-inch MacBook Pro model. Moreover, the standard M5 outperforms the M3 Pro and comes close to matching the legendary M1 Ultra.
For context, here's a snapshot of multi-core scores for various Mac chips:
- M4 Max (16-inch MacBook Pro): 25,645
- M1 Ultra (Mac Studio): 18,405
- M5 (14-inch MacBook Pro): 17,862
- M3 Pro (14-inch MacBook Pro): 15,257
- M4 (14-inch MacBook Pro): 14,726
The new 14-inch MacBook Pro is now available for pre-order, with an official launch set for this Wednesday. Rumors suggest that more powerful versions with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips for the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros might arrive in early 2026 (as detailed in this report: https://www.macrumors.com/2025/10/10/macbook-pro-with-m5-chip-reportedly-near/), but even the base M5 proves it's no pushover.
To give you a broader picture, Apple's been busy with announcements tying into this M5 chip. For instance, they unveiled the updated 14-inch MacBook Pro base model with the M5 chip, which now supports up to 4TB of storage (a bump from the previous 2TB max), though unified RAM tops out at 32GB. This is part of a wave of updates that also include the iPad Pro and Vision Pro.
Speaking of the iPad Pro, the new model features the M5, C1X, and N1 chips, with the M5 packing a 10-core CPU (four performance, six efficiency) and a next-gen GPU with neural accelerators in each core. This setup delivers up to 3.5 times the AI performance of the prior model, plus enhanced ray-tracing capabilities – imagine faster photo edits or smarter augmented reality experiences.
Apple also refreshed the Vision Pro with the M5 chip, boosting performance and battery life, alongside a comfier Dual Knit Band and 120Hz support. The chip here includes a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU with neural accelerators, and a 16-core Neural Engine, confirming 16GB of RAM.
Interestingly, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman hinted at these announcements earlier this week, teasing updates to the iPad Pro, Vision Pro, and likely the base 14-inch MacBook Pro, all powered by the M5.
Apple even teased the M5 MacBook Pro launch with a cryptic "something powerful is coming" message, accompanied by a V-shaped animation hinting at the product.
On a side note, the new MacBook Pro doesn't include a charger in European markets like the UK, Ireland, and Germany, whereas US buyers get the 70W USB-C adapter. This eco-friendly move has sparked debates – is it progressive or inconvenient?
Rumors also point to upcoming releases like a new HomePod Mini and Apple TV before year's end.
And here's where it gets truly controversial: With the M5's dominance in benchmarks, do you think Apple's custom chips are setting an unbeatable standard, or is Intel and AMD's competition just heating up? What if this leads to over-reliance on Apple ecosystems? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments – agree or disagree, let's discuss!
