Reddit User Highlights M5 Max Power Draw Issues; M4 Max Consumes 212W Under Heavy Load with Temperatures Soaring to 110 Degrees Celsius

One of the standout advantages of Apple Silicon Macs has been their remarkable power efficiency and extended battery life. However, like any advanced chip, the power consumption can surge significantly under heavy loads, leading to increased temperatures that could cause discomfort during use. A recent discussion on Reddit has highlighted a potential issue regarding the upcoming M5 Pro and M5 Max chipsets, particularly around the peak power consumption of the M4 Max, which has been observed to reach 212 watts during intensive tasks.

Balancing Performance and Power: The M5 Max Could Surpass M4 Max’s Peak Consumption

The anticipated M5 Max is expected to integrate a 16-core CPU alongside a potent 40-core GPU, setting it apart from its predecessor. This new chip benefits from an advanced manufacturing process, utilizing TSMC’s 3nm ‘N3P’ technology. However, it’s worth noting that this ‘N3P’ process is primarily an optical shrink of the earlier ‘N3E’ node, offering only a modest 5 percent boost in performance at the same power levels. With performance cores running at clock speeds of 4.61 GHz, the M5 Max’s power draw could significantly increase, especially in demanding configurations.

M4 Max peak power consumption demonstration — Peak power consumption of the M4 Max reached as high as 212 watts.

In a thread shared by Reddit user ‘MarionberryDear6170′, it was noted that running Adobe Premiere Pro with various effects can push the M4 Max to achieve its peak power consumption of 212 watts. During such intense processes, the system recorded power draws of 187 watts and 202 watts, leading to GPU and CPU temperatures soaring to a staggering 110 degrees Celsius. Even the M5 chipset isn’t immune, capable of reaching up to 99 degrees Celsius under strenuous workloads, raising concerns given its current single heatpipe cooling solution seems inadequate for effective thermal management.

Responses in the Reddit discussion aim to mitigate the initial alarms raised, speculating that if sufficient thermal and power headroom is available, the M4 Max could ultimately reach similar thermal levels under prolonged heavy loads. Moreover, considering that the upcoming M5 Max MacBook Pro models are likely to retain the current design’s cooling system, users should prepare for potential thermal challenges. Fortunately, the original poster reported that despite high power draws and temperatures, the chassis remained surprisingly cool, offering a glimmer of hope.

Looking ahead, there is optimism that Apple will redesign the cooling system for the forthcoming M6 MacBook Pro series, potentially incorporating a vapor chamber—an upgrade that is rumored for the upcoming M6 iPad Pro lineup.

For further details, check the discussion on Reddit.

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