M5 MacBook Pro Runs Cooler Than M4, But Still Struggles With Thermal Throttling

M5 MacBook Pro: Apple’s New Chip Runs Hot – But Still Outpaces M4

Apple’s march toward fully in-house silicon continues with the M5 MacBook Pro, promising power and efficiency that outshine its predecessors. Yet, beneath the polished aluminum, the same old debate simmers – literally. Benchmark tests have shown that despite Apple’s engineering refinements, the single-fan cooling system in the base M5 model still struggles to keep temperatures under control when the chip is pushed hard.

According to Max Tech’s comprehensive video comparison between the 14-inch M5 and M4 MacBook Pro, the M5 can reach temperatures of up to 99°C under Cinebench 2024’s full-core load. While that sounds alarming, it’s actually an improvement over the M4, which peaked at a scorching 114°C. This means Apple has managed to make the M5 both faster and marginally cooler within the same compact chassis – a small but notable win.

The trade-off, however, lies in Apple’s persistent decision to equip the base MacBook Pro with just one fan and a single heatpipe. In real-world use, this minimalist design leads to thermal throttling once workloads extend beyond typical productivity or media tasks. It’s a calculated risk – most users won’t ever push the laptop that far, but professionals rendering video or gaming with ray tracing on will certainly see the limits.

Performance data suggests two likely reasons behind this cooler operation. First, Apple might have adjusted the fan curve to ramp up more aggressively under thermal pressure. Second, and perhaps more intriguing, is the possibility of Apple using a higher-grade thermal interface material – possibly something akin to PTM7950, which has outperformed even liquid metal in independent tests. This could explain how the M5 manages to sustain its performance longer before throttling kicks in.

When tested, the M5 averaged 98.95°C, drawing 21.81W, compared to the M4’s 100.9°C and 18.4W. These small differences add up – the M5 stays within safer limits while pushing slightly higher power. In gaming scenarios like Cyberpunk 2077 with ray tracing, the M5 MacBook Pro displayed notable improvements, suggesting Apple’s integrated GPU and CPU cores work in better harmony this time around.

Still, the system’s single-fan approach feels out of place on a laptop carrying a price tag north of $1,500. Users expecting sustained high performance might find it frustrating to see the machine throttle just to maintain manageable heat levels. The upcoming M5 Pro and M5 Max models – both expected to ship with dual-fan systems – could finally offer the cooling performance professionals demand.

For those still clinging to an M4 and feeling the burn (literally), a cheaper alternative exists. Investing in a PTM7950 thermal pad – priced around $35.99 – can lower temperatures significantly if installed correctly. Of course, disassembling a MacBook is not for the faint-hearted, but enthusiasts who know their way around a Torx screwdriver could see tangible results.

In the end, the M5 MacBook Pro represents Apple’s ongoing balancing act between silence, design minimalism, and raw power. The device undeniably runs cooler and faster than before, but the reliance on a single fan feels like a conscious limitation meant to protect the company’s higher-tier models from cannibalization. The result? A beautifully engineered laptop that flirts with the limits of its own thermals – and still comes out ahead of last year’s iteration.