Geekbench 7
Results are expressed as Geekbench scores. Higher scores/longer bars are faster.
The M5 Ultra has twice the CPU cores as the M5 Max in our tests. In general, the M5 Ultra offers a 47 percent increase in multi-core CPU performance over the M5 Max. Unsurprisingly, the single-core CPU results are basically the same, as is the case with all M-series generations.
Compared to the chip the M3 Ultra replaces in the Mac Studio lineup, it offers a 47 percent multi-core CPU boost. The M5 Ultra’s single-core CPU speeds are 27 percent faster.
Geekbench 6
Results are expressed as Geekbench scores. Higher scores/longer bars are faster.
The advantage of the M5 Ultra over the M5 Max in Geekbench 6 isn’t as drastic (25 percent) but that has more to do with the test than the chip. Geekbench 7 redesigned its multi-core tests and changed its workloads to better reflect real-world usage, so while this data point isn’t relevant anymore, it’s presented in case you’re curious. Geekbench 6 and 7 numbers are not comparable.
Cinebench 2026
Results are expressed as Cinebench scores. Higher scores/longer bars are faster.
The M5 Ultra’s gigantic boost over the M5 Max is also seen here in Cinebench 2026–72 percent increase is huge. The GPU boost is significant, too, at 49 percent. Cinebench is more taxing than Geekbench by producing a high CPU load using Maxon’s Redshift render engine. If you work in media, pay attention to this result.
Blackmagic Disk Tests
Results are megabytes per second. Higher rates/longer bars are faster.
I said that the SSD performance was the big deal about the M5 Max Mac Studio, and it’s the same with the M5 Ultra model. You need a speedy SSD to complement the CPU performance.
One note about the SSD: Apple continues to outfit the Mac Studio with a removable SSD module. It’s a bit tricky to get inside the Mac Studio, take it apart, and upgrade the SSD yourself. But it can be done.
