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Apple M2 (8-GPU) vs Apple M5 (10-CPU)
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Summary
The Apple M2 (8-GPU) is an established processor for the mass market, ideal for everyday tasks. The Apple M5 (10-CPU) is a newer generation, designed for demanding professional applications.
The Apple M2 (8-GPU) is manufactured using a 5 nm process, with a CPU, an 8-core graphics unit, 20 MB L2 cache, and 102 GB/s memory bandwidth. The Apple M5 (10-CPU) uses the 3 nm process, integrating 10 CPU cores, a 10-core graphics unit, 28 MB L2 cache, and 154 GB/s memory bandwidth.
The Apple M5 (10-CPU) significantly outperforms the Apple M2 (8-GPU). Single-core performance is over 65 percent higher, and multi-core performance is over 75 percent higher. For gaming, the Apple M5 (10-CPU) is better. Its more powerful 10-core graphics unit and 154 GB/s memory bandwidth enable smoother experiences.
The Apple M5 (10-CPU) benefits from the more efficient 3 nm manufacturing process. It offers improved performance per watt with lower heat generation. The Apple M2 (8-GPU) is established and widely available. The Apple M5 (10-CPU) is positioned in the premium segment. An accurate assessment is not possible without market availability.
The Apple M2 (8-GPU) is suitable for everyday use and creative work. The Apple M5 (10-CPU) is recommended for maximum performance in professional applications and gaming.
The Apple M2 (8-GPU) is manufactured using a 5 nm process, with a CPU, an 8-core graphics unit, 20 MB L2 cache, and 102 GB/s memory bandwidth. The Apple M5 (10-CPU) uses the 3 nm process, integrating 10 CPU cores, a 10-core graphics unit, 28 MB L2 cache, and 154 GB/s memory bandwidth.
The Apple M5 (10-CPU) significantly outperforms the Apple M2 (8-GPU). Single-core performance is over 65 percent higher, and multi-core performance is over 75 percent higher. For gaming, the Apple M5 (10-CPU) is better. Its more powerful 10-core graphics unit and 154 GB/s memory bandwidth enable smoother experiences.
The Apple M5 (10-CPU) benefits from the more efficient 3 nm manufacturing process. It offers improved performance per watt with lower heat generation. The Apple M2 (8-GPU) is established and widely available. The Apple M5 (10-CPU) is positioned in the premium segment. An accurate assessment is not possible without market availability.
The Apple M2 (8-GPU) is suitable for everyday use and creative work. The Apple M5 (10-CPU) is recommended for maximum performance in professional applications and gaming.
Apple M2 (8-GPU)
- Established processor for the mass market
- Good efficiency for everyday and creative tasks
- 5 nm manufacturing process, 20 MB L2 cache, 102 GB/s memory bandwidth
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
- Newer generation for demanding professional applications
- Significantly higher single-core and multi-core performance
- 3 nm manufacturing process, 28 MB L2 cache, 154 GB/s memory bandwidth
Benchmarks
Performance Overview
Average performance across multiple benchmarks
Single-core performance
Multi-core performance
Cinebench 2026 Single-Thread
Single-core performance
Apple M2 (8-GPU)
64 %
8C / 8T · 3.50 GHz
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
100 %
10C / 10T · 4.61 GHz
Cinebench 2026 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance
Apple M2 (8-GPU)
53 %
8C / 8T · 3.50 GHz
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
100 %
10C / 10T · 4.61 GHz
Cinebench 2024 Single-Core
Single-core performance
Apple M2 (8-GPU)
61 %
8C / 8T · 3.50 GHz
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
100 %
10C / 10T · 4.61 GHz
Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance
Apple M2 (8-GPU)
48 %
8C / 8T · 3.50 GHz
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
100 %
10C / 10T · 4.61 GHz
Cinebench R23 Single-Core
Single-core performance
Apple M2 (8-GPU)
66 %
8C / 8T · 3.50 GHz
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
100 %
10C / 10T · 4.61 GHz
Cinebench R23 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance
Apple M2 (8-GPU)
64 %
8C / 8T · 3.50 GHz
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
100 %
10C / 10T · 3.60 GHz
Geekbench 6 Single-Core
Single-core performance
Apple M2 (8-GPU)
60 %
8C / 8T · 3.50 GHz
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
100 %
10C / 10T · 4.61 GHz
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance
Apple M2 (8-GPU)
56 %
8C / 8T · 3.50 GHz
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
100 %
10C / 10T · 3.60 GHz
iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)
Apple M2 (8-GPU)
55 %
Apple M2 (8 Core)
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
100 %
Apple M5 (10 Core)
More benchmarks
Cinebench 2026 (ST)
218 entries
218 entries
Cinebench 2026 (MC)
219 entries
219 entries
Cinebench 2024 (SC)
427 entries
427 entries
Cinebench 2024 (MC)
422 entries
422 entries
Cinebench R23 (SC)
690 entries
690 entries
Cinebench R23 (MC)
665 entries
665 entries
Geekbench 6 (SC)
1,989 entries
1,989 entries
Geekbench 6 (MC)
1,927 entries
1,927 entries
Geekbench 5 (SC)
2,512 entries
2,512 entries
Geekbench 5 (MC)
2,483 entries
2,483 entries
FP32 SP (iGPU)
2,219 entries
2,219 entries
PassMark CPU-Mark
2,504 entries
2,504 entries
Blender 2.81 (bmw27)
190 entries
190 entries
CPU performance per watt (efficiency)
140 entries
140 entries
AI performance (NPU)
218 entries
218 entries
Specifications
At a glance
|
Wischen
|
Apple M2 (8-GPU) | Apple M5 (10-CPU) |
|---|---|---|
| Family | Apple M series (38) | Apple M series (38) |
| CPU group | Apple M2 (8) | Apple M5 (6) |
| Architecture | M2 | M5 |
| Technology | 5 nm | 3 nm |
| Segment | Notebook | Notebook |
| Socket | ||
| Predecessor | Apple M1 | Apple M4 (10-CPU) |
| Successor | Apple M3 (8-GPU) |
CPU Cores and Base Frequency
|
Wischen
|
Apple M2 (8-GPU) | Apple M5 (10-CPU) |
|---|---|---|
| CPU Cores / Threads | 8 / 8 | 10 / 10 |
| Hyperthreading / SMT | ✗ | ✗ |
| Core architecture | hybrid (big.LITTLE) | hybrid (big.LITTLE) |
| Core Cluster 1: | 4x Avalanche 0.66 - 3.50 GHz |
4x P-Core 0.91 - 4.61 GHz |
| Core Cluster 2: | 4x Blizzard 0.60 - 2.42 GHz |
6x E-Core 0.90 - 3.05 GHz |
| L2-Cache | 20.00 MB | 28.00 MB |
| L3-Cache | ||
| Overclocking | ✗ | ✗ |
Integrated graphics (iGPU)
|
Wischen
|
Apple M2 (8-GPU) | Apple M5 (10-CPU) |
|---|---|---|
| GPU name | Apple M2 (8 Core) | Apple M5 (10 Core) |
| GPU frequency | 0.45 - 1.40 GHz | 0.34 - 1.90 GHz |
| CUs / Shader | 128 / 1024 | 160 / 1280 |
| Raytracing | ✗ | ✓ |
| Max. displays | 2 | 3 |
| Max. GPU Memory | 24 GB | 24 GB |
| Technology | 5 nm | 3 nm |
| Release date | Q2/2022 | Q4/2025 |
NPU AI performance
|
Wischen
|
Apple M2 (8-GPU) | Apple M5 (10-CPU) |
|---|---|---|
| AI hardware | Apple Neural Engine | Apple Neural Engine |
| AI specifications | 16 Neural cores @ 15.8 TOPS | 16 Neural cores @ 60 TOPS |
| NPU + CPU + iGPU |
Memory & PCIe
|
Wischen
|
Apple M2 (8-GPU) | Apple M5 (10-CPU) |
|---|---|---|
| Memory | LPDDR5-6400 (102.4 GB/s) | LPDDR5X-9600 (153.6 GB/s) |
| Max. Memory | 24 GB | 32 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC | No | No |
| PCIe | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| PCIe Bandwidth |
Thermal Management
|
Wischen
|
Apple M2 (8-GPU) | Apple M5 (10-CPU) |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 20 W | 28 W |
| TDP (PL2) | ||
| TDP up | 25 W | |
| TDP down | 10 W | 15 W |
| T. junction max. | 100 °C | 100 °C |
Technical details
|
Wischen
|
Apple M2 (8-GPU) | Apple M5 (10-CPU) |
|---|---|---|
| Chip design | Monolithic | Monolithic |
| AES-NI | ✓ | ✓ |
| Operating systems | macOS, iPadOS | macOS, iPadOS |
| Instruction set | Armv8.5-A (64 bit) | Armv9.2-A (64 bit) |
| ISA extensions | Rosetta 2 x86-Emulation | Rosetta 2 x86-Emulation, AVX2, SME |
| Release date | Q2/2022 | Q4/2025 |
| Release price | ||
| Documents | Technical data sheet |
User Reviews
Your rating
Here you can rate one or both of the processors. The average rating of Apple M2 (8-GPU) is 4.6 stars (111 ratings), while Apple M5 (10-CPU) has received 4.8 stars (313 ratings).
Click on the stars to rate one or both processors.
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