RTX 5090 Laptop Vs. M4 Max MacBook Pro: Ultimate Raw Performance Vs. Battery Endurance

Comprehensive benchmarks reveal the RTX 5090 laptop’s performance strengths contrasted with the M4 Max MacBook Pro’s efficiency and battery endurance.

Hardware by Katmin on Jun 06, 2025

We did a head-to-head comparison between two flagship laptops, both priced identically at $4,299 and equipped with 64GB RAM and 2TB of storage. One of them is the 16-inch gaming laptop featuring NVIDIA’s latest RTX 5090 GPU; the other is Apple’s 14-inch MacBook Pro powered by the M4 Max.

Benchmarks were performed across storage, CPU, and GPU computing, as well as video rendering, gaming, thermals, and battery endurance, to determine how these systems stack up under various real-world workloads.

RTX5090, M4 Max Macbook pro, Performance, NoobFeed

System Specifications and Testing Methodology

The gaming laptop under review is the 16-inch Gigabyte Aorus Master, equipped with an Intel Core i9-12900H (24-core) processor and an RTX 5090 mobile GPU. On the other side sits the 14-inch MacBook Pro, equipped with Apple’s 20-core M4 Max (12 performance cores plus four efficiency cores).

Both machines share 64 GB of RAM and a 2 TB SSD, and each configuration carries a price tag of $4,299. I performed storage benchmarks, CPU and GPU compute tests on both battery and plugged-in configurations (for the Gigabyte), as well as video render and export workloads, gaming at native resolution, thermal profiling under load, and finally, a cumulative battery-drain test to simulate a full day’s workflow.

Performance of Storage

The SSD in the MacBook Pro demonstrated read and write rates of 5,768 MB/s and 8,341 MB/s, respectively, in the Blackmagic Disk Speed Test. Its productivity-oriented design is highlighted by the high write throughput.

The gaming laptop delivered faster-read speeds—beneficial for rapid-level loading—but trailed in write performance, reflecting its tuning toward game asset streaming rather than significant file exports.

If you prioritize video editing or large-file transfers, you’ll appreciate the MacBook Pro’s stronger write capabilities; if your focus is loading game worlds at a blistering pace, the gaming laptop’s read-optimized storage will serve you well.

RTX5090, M4 Max Macbook pro, Performance, NoobFeed

CPU Compute Benchmarks

On Geekbench 6 single-core tests, the M4 Max achieved a score of 3,998, nearly breaking 4,000, while its multi-core result was 12,898. In contrast, the Intel Ultra 9 275 HX on the Gigabyte hit 1,315 (single-core) and 16,128 (multi-core) when plugged in; on battery, it reached 1,307 and 16,098, respectively.

These numbers demonstrate that Apple’s silicon leads in single-thread performance by a wide margin. In contrast, the high-core-count Intel chip excels in heavily parallelizable workloads if you’re connected to power.

If your tasks require strong single-thread speed, such as specific compilation processes or lightly threaded applications, you’ll notice the M4 Max’s advantage immediately. For highly multi-threaded jobs, such as large-scale simulations or complex builds, the Gigabyte pulls ahead when it has ample power.

GPU Compute and 3D Benchmarks

The most anticipated section for many readers is the GPU comparison. In Geekbench 6 OpenCL, the M4 Max’s 20-core GPU scored 15,928, whereas the RTX 5090 on the Gigabyte delivered 46,423 when plugged in and 43,124 on battery.

In UL’s 3DMark Wildlife Extreme, the MacBook achieved a score of 32,126, while the Gigabyte reached 46,423 (docked) and 43,124 (undocked). In the full-featured 3DMark run, the MacBook managed 3,169 on the graphics test, compared with the Gigabyte’s 5,928 (on power) and 5,612 (on battery).

These results confirm that NVIDIA’s mobile RTX 5090 is roughly 1.5 to 2 times as powerful as the M4 Max GPU in raw rasterization and compute workloads, regardless of power source. If your work or play relies on GPU-accelerated tasks—rendering, simulations, or specific AI workflows—you’ll find the RTX 5090 significantly faster.

RTX5090, M4 Max Macbook pro, Performance, NoobFeed

Video Rendering and Export Workflows

To evaluate real-world content creation, I performed a DaVinci Resolve render of a 10-minute clip slowed to 25% speed, followed by a full-speed export. During the slow-motion render, the MacBook Pro finished in 57 seconds, while the Gigabyte did it in 51 seconds plugged in and 52 seconds on battery.

For the full-speed export, the M4 Max took 66 seconds, whereas the RTX 5090 laptop completed the task in 58 seconds on power and 61 seconds on battery. Those few-second differences illustrate that both systems handle video editing tasks impressively, but the Gigabyte edges ahead, especially when connected to a power source.

Be aware, however, that its fans spun at high RPMs throughout these tests, whereas the MacBook remained silent, highlighting Apple’s fanless (or near-silent) design advantage.

Gaming Performance at Native Resolution

We tested three games at the laptops’ native 1,600 p resolution with maximum settings (ray tracing and upscaling disabled) to compare raw GPU power. In Cyberpunk 2077 via Crossover, the M4 Max delivered 39 fps, compared with 88 fps (power) and 83 fps (battery) on the RTX 5090 rig. Shadow of the Tomb Raider in Rosetta 2 ran at 74 fps on the MacBook Pro versus 144 fps (power) and 141 fps (battery) on the Gigabyte.

Resident Evil 4, compiled natively for Apple silicon, achieved 72 fps on the M4 Max, while the RTX 5090 hit 142 fps (power) and 136 fps (battery). Even without frame-generation technologies like DLSS 4 or Apple’s Metal-based upscaling, the RTX 5090 delivered roughly 2× the frame rates of the M4 Max GPU, underscoring its supremacy for high-refresh-rate gaming.

RTX5090, M4 Max Macbook pro, Performance, NoobFeed

Thermal Behavior and Surface Temperatures

Thermal performance was assessed by running the Cinebench graphics stress test for 10 minutes and measuring maximum chassis temperatures. The Gigabyte notebook reached approximately 38 °C (100 °F) at its hottest zone, adjacent to the keyboard, when plugged in, and 35 °C (95 °F) on battery power. The MacBook Pro climbed to 51 °C (124 °F) under the same test, despite its near-silent cooling profile.

Apple’s design allows for higher chip temperatures before ramping up the fans. At the same time, the Gigabyte system engages cooling earlier and more aggressively, resulting in lower surface temperatures but noticeable fan noise. If you prefer a cooler touch and don’t mind noise, the RTX 5090 laptop excels; if you value silence and can tolerate a warmer chassis, the MacBook Pro is more comfortable.

Battery Endurance and Real-World Usability

In a cumulative battery-drain test sequencing all benchmarks on battery power only, the 14-inch MacBook Pro ended with 68% of its charge remaining. By comparison, the 16-inch Gigabyte Aorus Master dropped to 39% under the same workload. Extrapolating from Apple’s published figures for the 16.2-inch model, you can expect roughly 75% battery retention.

The MacBook Pro’s exceptional power efficiency shines here, offering significantly longer unplugged productivity or gaming sessions. The M4 Max platform is unmatched if you require all-day battery life for presentations, video playback, or remote work. The gaming laptop remains the better option if you anticipate being connected to a power source and value optimal performance.

RTX5090, M4 Max Macbook pro, Performance, NoobFeed

Important Takeaways

There is a noticeable trade-off when comparing these two flagship systems side by side. NVIDIA’s RTX 5090 mobile GPU delivers roughly double the graphics performance of Apple’s M4 Max GPU and leads in heavily threaded CPU and GPU compute tasks when the notebook is plugged in.

Conversely, the MacBook Pro offers quieter operation, industry-leading single-core CPU performance, faster storage write speeds, and significantly improved battery life. Your decision hinges on your primary use case:

If the ultimate raw performance for gaming, 3D rendering, and GPU-bound workloads is paramount and you don’t mind carrying a large power brick, the RTX 5090 laptop is the better fit.

If you value all-day battery endurance, silence, and a lightweight profile for creative and productivity applications, the M4 Max MacBook Pro stands out as the more balanced choice.

Also, check our other hardware articles: