As custom configurations of the M4 MacBook Pro start witnessing a delay, it is a sign that Apple could announce the M5 models later this month. We have already seen the new chipset in action when the company’s refreshed iPad Pro was a part of an unboxing video, but there are minute differences between it and the M4, at least from what we could gather.
However, this is where the M5 Pro and M5 Max could set themselves apart, with a new rumor claiming that both SoCs will boast a new design that will be beneficial for those who want to opt for customized configurations. With this change, those who require a certain number of cores can carefully choose their hardware without having to pay a premium.
Customers who want a preferred number of CPU and GPU core counts on their MacBook Pro will not have to spend a premium, like they did when purchasing pre-configured hardware
The M5 Pro was earlier reported to feature TSMC’s SoIC-MH packaging, along with likely being fabricated on the Taiwanese manufacturer’s 3nm ‘N3P’ process, just like the A19 and A19 Pro. We also mentioned that the M5 would not be treated to this packaging, meaning that the M5 Pro and M5 Max would have exclusivity over this technology. As for the benefits, TSMC’s ‘Small Outline Integrated Circuit Molding-Horizontal’ packaging has plenty to offer.
Smaller and lighter than other packages, making them ideal for portable space-constrained machines like the MacBook Pro
Standardized design and compatibility lead to lowered manufacturing costs
Easier to assemble
Higher component density results in more components added to a smaller space, leading to better functionality
Minimize capacitance, resulting in better performance and signal integrity
Improved heat transfer thanks to an exposed pad, allowing the M5 Pro and M5 Max to deliver better sustained performance
While Vadim Yuryev has not explicitly spoken about this chip design change on his post on X, he could very well refer to TSMC’s SoIC-MH packaging. He also states that this new change will have separate CPU and GPU blocks, allowing users to have different CPU and GPU core counts. For instance, a particular user can configure their MacBook Pro to have the highest number of graphics processing cores, with the CPU cores being the same number as the one on the base M5, which is nine.
Similarly, another user could choose the highest number of CPU cores, with the number of GPU cores reduced. The post does not reveal if users will have flexibility over the unified RAM count, so that is something that needs to be confirmed. Unfortunately, one drawback of the new chip design is that Apple will delay the M5 Pro and M5 Max, at least, according to the latest claims.
Assuming the rumor is true, it would be the first time Apple would not have unveiled its trifecta of chipsets that power a host of machines, starting with the MacBook Pro. We doubt the technology giant will have any meaningful competition in this area, because even Qualcomm’s 18-core Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme failed to beat the M4 Max in both Cinebench 2024’s single-core and multi-core tests.
What is even more embarrassing is that the M4 Pro’s 20-core GPU beat the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme in 3DMark Steel Nomad Light Unlimited and 3DMark Solar Bar Unlimited by up to a 45 percent margin. In short, even if Apple takes its sweet time with the M5 Pro’s and M5 Max’s launch, it is not like it has any worthy rivals waiting to test their processing prowess.
News Source: Vadim Yuryev