Mac Studio M5 Ultra: 1,000 euros more for local AI

Mac Studio M5 Ultra. The new Mac Studio with the M5 Ultra chip aims to improve performance, particularly in workloads related to local artificial intelligence. It introduces dedicated accelerators in the GPU and increases memory bandwidth up to 1.2 TBps, while maintaining unchanged dimensions, Thunderbolt 5 connectivity, and support for a maximum of eight monitors.

Priced approximately 1,000 euros higher than remaining stock of the M3 Ultra model, the Mac Studio M5 Ultra presents itself as the most sensible choice for those requiring a workstation optimized for high-computational-intensity AI applications. For users who already own an M3 Ultra Mac Studio and do not experience limitations in their activities, the upgrade may not be justified.

Mac Studio M5 Ultra: why it matters

What are the specific differences between the Mac Studio with M5 Ultra and the one with M3 Ultra? At the base configuration level, the M5 Ultra offers 30 CPU cores (compared to 28 on the M3 Ultra) and 64 GPU cores (versus 60 on the previous model). These increments represent an increase in available resources but do not automatically translate into a corresponding speed increase in applications.

The following table summarizes the main specifications:

The increase in memory bandwidth, which reaches approximately 47% (considering 1.2 TBps equivalent to 1,200 GBps), is more significant than the increase in core count and benefits workloads that require intense data transfer between memory and the chip. However, this does not necessarily imply an automatic 47% reduction in rendering or video export times, as other factors may represent the bottleneck.

The external design of the desktop remains unchanged (19.7 × 19.7 × 9.5 cm), as do Thunderbolt 5 connectivity and support for a maximum of eight monitors. Maximum unified memory is maintained at 512 GB. It is important to note that, although the M3 Ultra model initially offered this capacity in original configurations, a subsequent reduction in availability has limited purchase options.

Performance in various work scenarios is influenced by the new features of the M5 Ultra, particularly the Neural Accelerators integrated into the GPU. Apple claims an AI performance improvement of up to 4.3 times compared to the M3 Ultra; this figure specifically refers to artificial intelligence acceleration and cannot be generalized to all macOS applications. For tasks such as video editing, code compilation, or graphics, the core count and higher memory bandwidth represent a hardware improvement but do not directly quantify time saved on a single project.

What changes and what are the effects

The most useful comparison therefore remains one based on real-world usage: if waiting times are due to insufficient memory capacity, a newer GPU with less memory will not solve the problem. Wireless connections also move to Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 (compared to Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 on the previous model). The new Wi-Fi standard offers significant advantages only when paired with a compatible router and an adequate network.

Following its official debut in Italy on September 22, 2026, the Mac Studio with M5 Ultra is available starting at €6,699. As of November 2, 2026, the M3 Ultra model was still purchasable as remaining stock for around €5,700, representing a difference of approximately €1,000 for equivalent configurations. The Apple refurbished M3 Ultra starts instead at €10,879.

In conclusion, if you are purchasing a new Mac Studio for activities that leverage local inference or applications optimized for the new AI accelerators, the M5 Ultra model represents the most appropriate choice: with equal memory and storage, the additional cost of approximately €1,000 is justified if it significantly reduces processing times for recurring tasks. The same applies to those who already own an M3 Ultra, but only in cases where the benefit translates into concrete improvements in the applications used. For users whose M3 Ultra Mac Studio meets their current needs, an upgrade is not necessary.

A remaining stock unit of the M3 Ultra model at approximately €5,700 can represent a cost-effective solution if it offers the required memory and storage, especially when Thunderbolt 5 monitors and accessories are already available and there are no workloads requiring AI acceleration.

Source and further reading on Mac Studio M5 Ultra: original article.

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* Content created with the assistance of artificial intelligence systems.