Apple introduced PCIe NVMe Gen 5 SSD speeds to its M5 Pro and M5 Max versions of the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro lineup, delivering up to two times faster read and write performance that can reach a bandwidth of 14.5GB/s. Unfortunately, while this upgrade is sure to make the newer portable Macs snappier, it comes at a cost of severe temperatures. While PCIe NVMe Gen 5 SSDs’ thermals can be controlled with adequate cooling, one Reddit post shows that running AI workloads can cause these solid-state drives to cross 100 degrees Celsius.
While PCIe NVMe Gen 5 SSDs are notorious for their high temperatures, most apps don’t provide accurate readings, which many Redditors have commented about
A proud owner of the M5 Max MacBook Pro who goes by the handle ‘M5_Maxxx’ has shared his experience running AI workloads, stating that the actual performance bottleneck comes from the SSDs, not the chipsets. More accurately, it’s not the individual NAND flash chips that get hot but the controller, and according to the images shared below, the M5 Max’s CPU and GPU don’t cross 100 degrees Celsius because the solid-state drive is limiting the SoC by overheating.
In the image below, the SSD controller is operating at 106 degrees Celsius, whereas the maximum temperature of this part on the M3 Max stays under 30 degrees Celsius. While some commenters are pointing fingers at Apple, saying that the Cupertino firm utilizes inadequate cooling solutions for its latest M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models, others have mentioned that perhaps the temperature readings from the app TG Pro are inaccurate.
In our own gaming laptop (MSI Vector 16 HX), the Samsung 990 PRO can reach 75 degrees Celsius when running games, so it is difficult not to believe the Redditor’s claims that Apple didn’t remotely think about the M5 Max MacBook Pro’s cooling solution. At the same time, we’d be more comfortable if another third-party program was used to provide temperature readings.
Some commenters have advised using a thermal pad on top of the NAND flash chips so the heat can transfer to the bottom metal lid, but this solution can make the portable Mac considerably hot when placed on your lap. It should also be mentioned that the Redditor hasn’t posted whether the M5 Max is running in the smaller 14-inch MacBook Pro or the larger 16-inch version.
To remind you, even the less powerful Apple Silicon chips struggle to maintain lower temperatures when running in a compact chassis, with the M5 Max running in the 16-inch MacBook Pro obtaining a 30 percent performance lead due to early throttling from the M5 Pro. In short, when Apple introduces its OLED M6 MacBook Pro series, a revamped cooling solution should also accompany it.
News Source: Reddit
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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