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Cupertino Today
By the People, for the People
Apple's M5 Pro & M5 Max Rumored to Pack More CPU & GPU Cores Thanks to Chiplet Design
New 2.5D chiplet layout could eliminate thermal and electrical constraints, allowing for more powerful configurations.
Published on Feb. 21, 2026
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According to rumors, Apple's upcoming M5 Pro and M5 Max processors, expected to power the next-generation 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, will feature a new 2.5D chiplet design from TSMC. This transition away from InFO packaging is said to improve heat dissipation and reduce defective chip rates, while also potentially enabling Apple to incorporate higher CPU and GPU core counts in these SoCs.
Why it matters
The M3 Max and M4 Max were previously limited to up to 14 CPU cores and 40 GPU cores. The new chiplet design could allow Apple to surpass these limits on the M5 Pro and M5 Max, offering customers more powerful configurations without having to upgrade to the top-tier M5 Max models.
The details
The chiplet design separates the CPU and GPU onto individual blocks, which should eliminate the thermal and electrical constraints that have previously limited the core counts on Apple's high-end M-series chips. This could allow the M5 Pro to offer a more powerful configuration than before, while the M5 Max may see an even greater boost in available CPU and GPU resources.
- Apple is rumored to host a product launch event on March 4, 2026, where the M5 Pro and M5 Max are expected to be announced.
The players
Apple
The technology giant that designs the M-series processors found in its Mac lineup, including the upcoming M5 Pro and M5 Max chips.
TSMC
The semiconductor manufacturer that will produce Apple's new M5 Pro and M5 Max chips using a 2.5D chiplet design.
What they’re saying
“With the CPU and GPU present on individual blocks, the M5 Pro and M5 Max will no longer be thermally or electrically constrained”
— One_TrackMinded, Redditor (Reddit)
What’s next
Apple is expected to officially unveil the M5 Pro and M5 Max processors, along with the updated 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models that will feature them, at the company's product launch event on March 4, 2026.
The takeaway
The transition to a 2.5D chiplet design for the M5 Pro and M5 Max could be a significant upgrade, potentially allowing Apple to offer more powerful CPU and GPU configurations in its high-end MacBook Pro models without the previous thermal and electrical constraints. This could give customers more options to choose from based on their specific performance needs.
