Apple M5 GPU vs Apple M4 (8 Core)

Updated Sep 2026 · Scored by the Let’s Compare Data Engine · How we score

For most buyers the Apple M4 (8 Core) is the better pick — it scores 38/100 to the Apple M5 GPU's 33, leading on API Support and Theoretical Performance. Choose the Apple M5 GPU instead if memory matters most to you, where it comes out ahead.

Apple M5 GPU has no published G3D Mark result, so it scores lower.
Apple M4 (8 Core) has no published G3D Mark result, so it scores lower.

Verdict

Our overall take, at a glance

Apple M4 (8 Core) leads overall

Apple M4 (8 Core)

Apple M5 GPU

Winner by category for Apple M5 GPU vs Apple M4 (8 Core)
Category	Apple M4 (8 Core)	Apple M5 GPU	Winner
Core Specifications	50	50	Tie
Memory	47	73	Apple M5 GPU
API Support	100	0	Apple M4 (8 Core)
Theoretical Performance	57	0	Apple M4 (8 Core)
Benchmark	20	20	Tie
Miscellaneous	32	32	Tie

In-depth analysisAI

AI-generated from the cited sources — may be incomplete or inaccurate; verify important details before deciding · generated Sep 2026.

Apple M5 GPU

The Apple M5 GPU is an integrated graphics architecture built into the Apple M5 system-on-chip family, powering devices such as the MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and Apple Vision Pro. Built on TSMC's 3-nanometer process, this GPU scales from an 8-core configuration up to an 80-core variant in higher-end models, utilizing a unified memory system to pool resources directly with the CPU.

Best for Hardware-accelerated ray tracing in 3D modeling and rendering applicationsBest for On-device machine learning development utilizing Tensor APIs in Metal 4

Pros

Dedicated Neural Accelerator integrated into each individual GPU core to accelerate local artificial intelligence calculations
Support for hardware-accelerated mesh shading and an updated third-generation ray-tracing engine
High-speed LPDDR5X unified memory architecture capable of reaching bandwidth speeds up to 9600 MT/s

Cons

System-on-chip design prevents any post-purchase memory or GPU core upgrades
Base models are subject to binning, meaning some configurations receive fewer active graphics cores

Apple M4 (8 Core)

The Apple M4 is a System-on-a-chip (SoC) designed by Apple, featuring combined CPU, GPU, NPU, and DSP resources. It powers various devices including the iPad Pro, confirming its status as a versatile processor for modern computing tasks.

Best for Creative ProfessionalsBest for Advanced Mobile ComputingBest for AI/Machine Learning Workloads

Pros

Incorporates advanced features like hardware-accelerated mesh shading and ray tracing in the graphics unit (Source 1).
The Neural Processing Unit (NPU) offers advanced computational power, significantly exceeding previous generations’ performance (Source 1).
Utilizes LPDDR5X unified memory, allowing for high memory bandwidth across various configurations (Source 1).

Cons

High-end variants provide substantial memory capacity options, potentially limiting accessibility for budget users (Source 1).
Some performance comparisons note significant strides in single-core performance rather than general multithreaded gains (Source 1).

Value for Money

Which is the better deal for the price

Enter today's price for each product to see which offers better value. Use the same currency for both.

Apple M5 GPU

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Apple M4 (8 Core)

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Detailed Specifications

The full spec sheet, side by side

Core Specifications

Feature	Apple M5 GPU	Apple M4 (8 Core)
Base Frequency	N/A	N/A
Maximum Frequency	N/A	N/A
Lithography Process	3 nm	3 nm

Memory

Feature	Apple M5 GPU	Apple M4 (8 Core)
Technology
Bus Width	N/A	N/A
Bandwidth	153.6 GB/s28% more	120 GB/s
Is Shared	Yes	Yes

API Support

Feature	Apple M5 GPU	Apple M4 (8 Core)
DirectX Version	N/A	N/A
OpenGL Version	N/A	4.1
Vulkan Version	N/A	1.3
OpenCL Version	N/A	1.2

Theoretical Performance

Feature	Apple M5 GPU	Apple M4 (8 Core)
Pixel Rate	N/A	62.4 GP/s
Texture Rate	N/A	124.8 GT/s
Performance (FP16)	N/A	8 TFLOPS
Performance (FP32)	N/A	4 TFLOPS
Performance (FP64)	N/A	N/A

Miscellaneous

Feature	Apple M5 GPU	Apple M4 (8 Core)
Release Date	October 15, 2025	May 15, 2024
Platform

Specification Note

Specifications are compiled from official manufacturer data and other reliable internet sources. Some features may vary by region or model configuration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Apple M5 GPU vs Apple M4 (8 Core) comparison

They are closely matched: Apple M5 GPU scores 35/100 and Apple M4 (8 Core) scores 34/100 in our overall comparison — within 1 point. Neither is a clear winner overall, so the decision comes down to the specific features and price that matter most to you.

Apple M5 GPU and Apple M4 (8 Core) are compared side by side above across every spec in the gpus category — including performance, features and design — each scored 0–100 so you can see exactly where one leads the other. Our overall scores are 35/100 for Apple M5 GPU and 34/100 for Apple M4 (8 Core).

It's close — Apple M5 GPU (35/100) and Apple M4 (8 Core) (34/100) score almost the same. Pick based on price and the individual specs that matter most to you; the comparison above shows where each one pulls ahead.