Hardware Detail MacCurrent

Mac Studio M5 Max 128GB

Maximum-memory M5 Max Mac Studio for large models and sustained mixed AI workloads without stepping up to M5 Ultra pricing.

AppleAPPLE M52026-09128GB unified
AI Memory
128GB unified
Usable model memory reserves headroom for OS, runtime, and KV cache.
LLM Score
68
workstation
Power
105W
Average AI load
Value Score
—
Planner signal

Memory configurations

The chip profile is shared, but memory headroom, runnable models, and price are calculated per configuration.

2 variants

Task Fit

Code100

Strong fit for code workloads in the current planner.

Chat100

Strong fit for chat workloads in the current planner.

RAG100

Strong fit for rag workloads in the current planner.

Agent97

Strong fit for agent workloads in the current planner.

Vision92

Strong fit for vision workloads in the current planner.

Embedding80

Usable for embedding, with tradeoffs around speed, memory, or runtime maturity.

Voice75

Usable for voice, with tradeoffs around speed, memory, or runtime maturity.

Image generation61

Usable for image generation, with tradeoffs around speed, memory, or runtime maturity.

Video generation48

Not a primary fit for video generation in the current hardware pool.

Runtime Support

ollamaExcellent
llama.cppExcellent
LM StudioExcellent
vllmUnsupported
sglangUnsupported
ComfyUIPartial
diffusersPartial

Specs

CPU cores18
GPU cores40
System RAM128GB
Unified memory128GB
VRAM—
Usable model memory96GB
CUDANo
MetalSupported
ROCmNo

Cost and Ops

Hardware price$4,999
Build cost—
UPS / accessories—
5-year estimate$5,137
Expected lifespan— years
Residual value—
Build requiredNo

Execution evidence

Execution recipes for Mac Studio M5 Max 128GB

Recipes connect hardware, a model artifact, tools, settings, verification, and a reportable result.

Browse all recipes →

No verified recipe is linked to this record yet.

Compatibility estimates remain available in the planner. A recipe appears here only after its exact stack and verification protocol are documented.

Models This Hardware Can Run

Estimated from default model artifacts, VRAM, unified memory, and recommended RAM.

65 compatible defaults

Best For

large local modelsmulti-user servingimage and video workflows

Maximum-memory M5 Max Mac Studio for large models and sustained mixed AI workloads without stepping up to M5 Ultra pricing.

Source Confidence

Specsvendor-published
Pricemarket-estimate
PowerEstimated
PerformanceEstimated
Updated2026-09-26

Similar Hardware

Continue planning with Mac Studio M5 Max 128GB