Although a while ago Apple launched MacBook Neo The CP value is very high, but for users who pursue ultimate performance, M5 Max MacBook Pro It will be the first choice and is currently the most powerful Apple laptop. However, foreign YouTubers and technology media recently discovered that some M5 Max MacBook Pro has the problem of “inferior version”, that is, when the same model and specifications are tested multiple times, there is a multi-core performance gap of up to 41.5%. Spending a lot of money to buy a top-end model only to get worse performance, this is unacceptable to anyone.
Image source: Zip Tie Tech
There may be a problem with the M5 Max MacBook Pro you bought. The multi-core performance is very unstable.
Recently, the foreign YouTube channel Zip Tie Tech released a video showing the performance flaws of the M5 Max MacBook Pro. After getting the M5 Max MacBook Pro, he conducted a series of benchmark tests and found that the multi-core performance was very unstable. For example, in the same benchmark test, the highest score was 8,669 points, which is normal, but when tested again, it may become more than 7,000 or 6,000 points.
After multiple tests, the gap between the highest and lowest scores was as high as 41.5%, which is definitely problematic. In order to confirm that this is not just a case, Zip Tie Tech contacted other users who also got the M5 Max MacBook Pro and asked 6 people. 2 people reported similar multi-core performance instability. The ratio is actually not low:
He also tried switching the MacBook Pro to “High Performance Mode” to eliminate software-level problems, but the results still did not improve, which also implies that the problem lies with the hardware itself, rather than the software or power management settings.
As you can clearly see from the screenshot below, the clock is very unstable and keeps oscillating up and down:
Image source: Zip Tie Tech
In addition to Zip Tie Tech, NotebookCheck, a well-known technology review media, also encountered the same problem when reviewing the 14-inch M5 Max MacBook Pro.
They found that under high-load testing, the processor’s maximum power consumption could only be maintained for one to two seconds before starting to drop in frequency, making the performance very unstable. In the 3DMark Steel Nomad test, the 16-inch model’s score is 12% higher than that of the 14-inch model. Under continuous GPU load, the performance of the 14-inch model will even drop to 25% lower than the normal value:
Image source: Zip Tie Tech
NotebookCheck concluded at the time that the thermal design of the 14-inch model may not be enough to fully utilize the strength of the M5 Max. If you want the full performance of the M5 Max, the 16-inch model would be a more suitable choice.
However, in fact, there is a high probability that it is a defective version of the M5 Max MacBook Pro, because Apple later sent a new one to Zip Tie Tech. This machine performed completely normally, and the running scores were in line with expectations, further confirming that the problem does lie in a specific batch of hardware, rather than a design flaw:
Image source: Zip Tie Tech
Therefore, for those who have already purchased the M5 Max MacBook Pro or are considering it, remember to run multiple benchmark tests, such as Geekbench 6 or Cinebench, to confirm whether your multi-core scores fall within the normal range. If you find that the score is obviously low, or the results of multiple tests are very different, you may have got a defective version of the machine.
If it is confirmed that the performance is abnormal, it is recommended to contact Apple directly or go to an Apple Store to request a replacement.
Full video:
Source: KOCPC Chinese