The M5 Ultra chip in Apple’s new Mac Studio is making waves with its impressive GPU and AI performance, matching up to high-end desktop graphics cards like the Nvidia RTX 5080. Early benchmarks show the M5 Ultra scoring around 350,000 to 360,000 in Geekbench 7’s Metal test, a significant jump from the previous M3 Ultra’s 249,564. In OpenCL tests, the M5 Ultra scores around 210,000 to 220,000, compared to the RTX 5080’s 250,711. This performance is particularly notable for AI research and development, where high-powered graphics cards are typically used.
One of the standout features of the Mac Studio is its power efficiency. High-end graphics cards like the RTX 5080 can draw over 600W under load, with multi-GPU setups exceeding 1,000W. In contrast, the Mac Studio draws around 100W, well below 200W even under heavy loads. This efficiency is a significant advantage for AI developers who need powerful hardware but also want to keep power consumption and cooling costs in check.
The M5 Ultra’s Dual Neural Engine and Neural Accelerators in each GPU core further boost its AI capabilities. This makes the Mac Studio a strong contender for AI workstations, offering both high performance and energy efficiency. For those considering a mini PC for AI tasks, the Mac Studio’s specs make it a compelling choice, especially if power consumption is a concern.
However, it’s important to note that the Mac Studio’s price point is on the higher end, which might be a consideration for budget-conscious buyers. For those who need the raw power and can afford it, the Mac Studio with M5 Ultra is a formidable option. For more details, you can check out the original article here.
