Max Tech tests show the 14‑inch M5 MacBook Pro holds 99°C in Cinebench 2024, draws 21.8 W, and outpaces the M4 with steadier thermals and sustained gaming.
© A. Krivonosov
Apple keeps sharpening its in-house silicon, and the new M5 MacBook Pro is a clear marker of that momentum. Even with the same single-fan cooling system, the M5 can climb to 99 degrees under heavy load yet holds its ground more steadily than last year’s M4.
The YouTube channel Max Tech conducted a comparison of 14‑inch M4 and M5 MacBook Pro models. In the Cinebench 2024 benchmark, the M4 easily pushed past 100 degrees, peaking at 114 degrees. By contrast, the M5 stayed below that critical mark: its average hovered around 99 degrees, the maximum hit 99 degrees, and minimum readings were logged at roughly the same level. At the same time, the M5 drew 21.8 W versus 18.4 W for the M4, indicating the new chip has more muscle to flex without letting thermals run away.
Experts suggest Apple either tweaked the fan-control algorithm so it reacts faster to rising temperatures or switched to a more effective thermal compound such as PTM7950, which in some cases outperforms even liquid metal in thermal conductivity.
While the single-fan setup still looks like a weak link on paper, the M5 MacBook Pro proved more stable and efficient than its predecessor. In demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 with ray tracing enabled, the laptop sustains performance without noticeable throttling. For a machine built around this cooling layout, that consistency stands out and reinforces the sense that Apple’s silicon is growing more resilient under extreme workloads.