2013/14 MBP 15" (iGPU-only) + 4k external

[strawbale]

I'm thinking about replacing my 2007 MBP 17" with a late-2013 or mid-2014 MBP 15" iGPU-only model (as that's my max budget). With the option to add an external monitor for (basic) photo-editing in the future.
Looking at
https://everymac.com/systems/apple/...iris-only-late-2013-retina-display-specs.html
and
https://everymac.com/systems/apple/...-iris-only-mid-2014-retina-display-specs.html
a 4k (3840x2160) external monitor could only run @30Hz.

Could anyone confirm that or has anyone managed to run it @60Hz?

Also, would the iGPU-only version (with 128MB eDRAM) be able to smoothly run a 4k external monitor for (basic) photo-editing (no video nor gaming)?
[doublepost=1515752765][/doublepost]alternatively, what about the 15" 2015 iGPU-only model(s)?

 

[mj_]

As far as I understand 4K support does not differ between the iGPU and the dGPU model. The only difference is performance but even the 2015 iGPU model should be able to run a 4K external display smoothly most of the time. Where it might stumble is 3D effects such as Mission Control but basic photo editing and office work shouldn't be a problem at all.

Regarding 4K support: you'll need at least 15" Mid 2014 or 13" Early 2015 to run 4K@60Hz: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206587

 

[strawbale]

As far as I understand 4K support does not differ between the iGPU and the dGPU model. The only difference is performance but even the 2015 iGPU model should be able to run a 4K external display smoothly most of the time. Where it might stumble is 3D effects such as Mission Control but basic photo editing and office work shouldn't be a problem at all.

Regarding 4K support: you'll need at least 15" Mid 2014 or 13" Early 2015 to run 4K@60Hz: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206587

Thanks for that!

 

[ncrypt]

I use my mid-2014 15" with iGPU to drive a 4K screen and it runs great on High Sierra.

Sierra had some choppiness entering Mission Control and swiping between desktops, but this is totally gone in HS (probably because they re-wrote WindowServer in Metal)

 

[strawbale]

I use my mid-2014 15" with iGPU to drive a 4K screen and it runs great on High Sierra.

Sierra had some choppiness entering Mission Control and swiping between desktops, but this is totally gone in HS (probably because they re-wrote WindowServer in Metal)

That's great to know - is it a MST or SST 4k screen? (which one?)

 

[ToroidalZeus]

Is this in your budget?

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1128944-REG/apple_z0qn_mf8401_13_3_macbook_pro_notebook.html

I wouldn't get anything weaker than this MacBook.

 

[strawbale]

Is this in your budget?

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1128944-REG/apple_z0qn_mf8401_13_3_macbook_pro_notebook.html

I wouldn't get anything weaker than this MacBook.

It would be if I were in the US, but live in France. Plus the Iris Pro 5200 (with 128MB eDRAM) of the 2013/14/15 iGPU-only 15" is quite a bit better than the Iris 6100 (without eDRAM) of the 13", no?

 

[ToroidalZeus]

It would be if I were in the US, but live in France. Plus the Iris Pro 5200 (with 128MB eDRAM) of the 2013/14/15 iGPU-only 15" is quite a bit better than the Iris 6100 (without eDRAM) of the 13", no?

Since you seem to care a lot about specs, why not build a desktop PC? You could get 2-3x the performance of a macbook for the same cost.

 

[strawbale]

Since you seem to care a lot about specs, why not build a desktop PC? You could get 2-3x the performance of a macbook for the same cost.

Not interested in going back to Windows, thank you.

 

[ToroidalZeus]

Not interested in going back to Windows, thank you.

I switch between Windows 10 and MacOS. For the price of a MacBook, you can easily build a i7 + GTX 1060 or RX 580 rig and it'll dominate the Mac in terms of productivity. If you use a good motherboard like an ASUS or ASRock, the windows rig will even more more stable than the mac.

 

[mj_]

It would be if I were in the US, but live in France. Plus the Iris Pro 5200 (with 128MB eDRAM) of the 2013/14/15 iGPU-only 15" is quite a bit better than the Iris 6100 (without eDRAM) of the 13", no?

Yes, the Iris Pro 5200 should be quite a bit faster than the Iris 6100.

If you're really serious about driving a 4K display I would suggest buying a 2015 with AMD R9 instead of any iGPU or even older Nvidia models. Even if that means waiting a bit longer, saving some extra money, and spending more than you had initially planned. It'll leave any iGPU model in the dust.

 

[strawbale]

Yes, the Iris Pro 5200 should be quite a bit faster than the Iris 6100.

If you're really serious about driving a 4K display I would suggest buying a 2015 with AMD R9 instead of any iGPU or even older Nvidia models. Even if that means waiting a bit longer, saving some extra money, and spending more than you had initially planned. It'll leave any iGPU model in the dust.

I realize that, but worried about all those 'dying dGPU' stories; or is it just the AMD models to worry about?

 

[mj_]

I think the last generation with its dGPU failing was the 2011 model with AMD, and before that the 2010 with NVIDIA. Since then things have been much better. Which of course doesn’t mean they won’t fail eventually but it’s a risk you have to take. So far, there here haven’t been any reports on failing GPUs on the 2014 (NVIDIA GT 750M) or 2015 (AMD R9 M370X).

 

[ncrypt]

That's great to know - is it a MST or SST 4k screen? (which one?)

It's this screen: http://www.lg.com/us/monitors/lg-27UD68-W-4k-uhd-led-monitor

So SST I think?

 

[Samuelsan2001]

I think the last generation with its dGPU failing was the 2011 model with AMD, and before that the 2010 with NVIDIA. Since then things have been much better. Which of course doesn’t mean they won’t fail eventually but it’s a risk you have to take. So far, there here haven’t been any reports on failing GPUs on the 2014 (NVIDIA GT 750M) or 2015 (AMD R9 M370X).

Actually the 650M and 750M NVIDIA cards have had a slightly higher than usual failure rate, and some of the 650M models had an extended warranty for issues with the dGPU, I think the 2012 and early 2013 15 inch mbp's still fall under this repair extension for the 650M. see here

https://www.apple.com/support/macbookpro-videoissues/

The AMD dGPU's from 2015 onwards are proving to be very reliable, and the low TDP (35W) of the current dGPU's and the cool quiet nature of the machine suggest that the latest dGPU is working well.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

You really should try for a 2015 model...

 

[mj_]

It's this screen: http://www.lg.com/us/monitors/lg-27UD68-W-4k-uhd-led-monitor

So SST I think?

SST. I got the exact same one and can confirm it works great with a 13" 2016 nTB MBP and a 15" 2015 dGPU MBP when connected via DisplayPort. HDMI works on the 15" 2015 as well but only at 30 Hz.

Actually the 650M and 750M NVIDIA cards have had a slightly higher than usual failure rate, and some of the 650M models had an extended warranty for issues with the dGPU, I think the 2012 and early 2013 15 inch mbp's still fall under this repair extension for the 650M. see here

https://www.apple.com/support/macbookpro-videoissues/

The AMD dGPU's from 2015 onwards are proving to be very reliable, and the low TDP (35W) of the current dGPU's and the cool quiet nature of the machine suggest that the latest dGPU is working well.

You're right, my bad. The early 2013 was also problematic, I somehow managed to completely forget about that one. Maybe the reason why the 2015 are still considered reliable is because they're too new. We might have to wait a few years and see what 2020 brings

 

[strawbale]

I think the last generation with its dGPU failing was the 2011 model with AMD, and before that the 2010 with NVIDIA. Since then things have been much better. Which of course doesn’t mean they won’t fail eventually but it’s a risk you have to take. So far, there here haven’t been any reports on failing GPUs on the 2014 (NVIDIA GT 750M) or 2015 (AMD R9 M370X).

Thanks for that - good to know!
[doublepost=1516206330][/doublepost]

Actually the 650M and 750M NVIDIA cards have had a slightly higher than usual failure rate, and some of the 650M models had an extended warranty for issues with the dGPU, I think the 2012 and early 2013 15 inch mbp's still fall under this repair extension for the 650M. see here

https://www.apple.com/support/macbookpro-videoissues/

The AMD dGPU's from 2015 onwards are proving to be very reliable, and the low TDP (35W) of the current dGPU's and the cool quiet nature of the machine suggest that the latest dGPU is working well.

Thanks for that info on 2012/13 dGPU
[doublepost=1516206976][/doublepost]I'll see if I can stretch my budget to a 2015 dGPU by the end of this year, but may have to stick to a 2013/14/15 iGPU (Iris Pro 5200), which may turn out to be more reliable in the long term too. I'm only looking into a MBP because it seems waiting for a new Mac Mini is becoming useless...
[doublepost=1516208334][/doublepost]This makes me tend towards iGPU-only too:
https://apple.stackexchange.com/que...s-a-mid-2015-retina-macbook-pro-with-only-int

 

[jimaginet]

I use my mid-2014 15" with iGPU to drive a 4K screen and it runs great on High Sierra.

Sierra had some choppiness entering Mission Control and swiping between desktops, but this is totally gone in HS (probably because they re-wrote WindowServer in Metal)

Hello

I am currently connect a 4K Asus Monitors to my 15 inch mid 2014 MBP with graphic car GT 750 via mini thunderbolt to displayPort. it works fine under Sierra 10.12.6.
My question is: is it save to update my MBP to the latest OS High Sierra 10.13.4?