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2016 15" base vs last gen maxed?

U

Uplift

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Feb 1, 2011
465
187
UK
I currently have the high end previous gen rMBP and have pre ordered the base 2016 model.

This means I will be going from 512GB SSD to 256GB SSD ... The space doesn't concern me, I am only using 130GB so I didn't feel like it was worth the upgrade. However, I read somewhere that 256 is slower than 512 is this accurate and would it be noticeable?

Another slight concern is the GPU, I keep reading contradicting information. Are the new chips faster or not? I currently have R9 M370X and will be going to Pro 450 both with 2GB memory.

I know the jump in machines wont be a massive upgrade, I just want to make sure it's actually an upgrade. If the SSD reduction does have performance concerns I could potentially cancel my order and place new with the 512GB.

There are lots of threads discussing performance and such but it looks like most are maxing out their Macs, I can't find the clarification I need.

Thanks
 
The 450 is most likely slightly faster than the M370X, the CPU is definitively slower.

P.S. Can anyone explain the 'IN' thing? :D
 
Anytime you upgrade from one generation to the next performance boost is going to be marginal. But I've only read great things about the SSD speed w/ the stock 256GB. Most of the pro reviews have been w/ the 13" or low end 15". Graphics will be faster and more capabile. Raw speed is going to be faster but likely not noticable.
 
monkeydax said:
You're missing real world tests. Benchmarks don't paint the full picture.
Click to expand...

And yet, in any CPU-intensive work that doesn't use GPU, the max-specced 2015 will be noticeably faster than the base 2016. Of course there won't be much difference in average use and the 2016 might even be a bit snappier for basic office/surfing tasks. But OP was asking about component comparison, so I gave it to them.
 
leman said:
And yet, in any CPU-intensive work that doesn't use GPU, the max-specced 2015 will be noticeably faster than the base 2016. Of course there won't be much difference in average use and the 2016 might even be a bit snappier for basic office/surfing tasks. But OP was asking about component comparison, so I gave it to them.
Click to expand...

I just bought the last-gen maxed (except CPU) model, it'a supposed to arrive today!
 
littlepud said:
I just bought the last-gen maxed (except CPU) model, it'a supposed to arrive today!
Click to expand...

Well, if you didn't max out the CPU, then your laptop will be slightly slower than the base 2016 model (and much slower if you do a lot of file operations).
 
leman said:
Well, if you didn't max out the CPU, then your laptop will be slightly slower than the base 2016 model (and much slower if you do a lot of file operations).
Click to expand...

It was a refurb, so I didn't really get a choice of CPU. I grabbed the R9 370X version with 1 TB SSD for $2999 CAD.
 
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monkeydax said:
You're missing real world tests. Benchmarks don't paint the full picture. Check this out:
Click to expand...
Hahah, a bit funny that the guy compared CPU benchmarks that showed it was slower. Then used openCL (GPU) tasks to show it's faster. Sorry mate, that "real world test" is comparing apples to oranges. The CPU is not a GPU.

The CPU is in fact slower, And it will show when you do CPU intensive tasks. But yes, the GPU is faster which I guess was what he is trying to say.

But back to topic.
All in all it depends on what you do. You will get a better machine for the same money, and you don't have to do additional investment in USB-C dongles.
But if money is no obstacle, then by all means go with the 2016 model.
 
malu05a said:
Hahah, a bit funny that the guy compared CPU benchmarks that showed it was slower. Then used openCL (GPU) tasks to show it's faster. Sorry mate, that "real world test" is comparing apples to oranges.
Click to expand...

Does HandBrake utilise the GPU nowadays?
 
Silly, reports online seem to show that this model and a mid tier 2016 model perform similarly in GPU tasks and regular CPU tasks.

Read right performance is going to be exceptionally better though with the 2016 model, but dedicated graphics unit performance is most likely on par
 
I'm currently on 2.5 GHz Intel Core i7 with 6MB L3 Cache, I believe is haswell or broadwell(?) ?
The new MacBook Pro is a Skylake 2.7 GHz Intel Core i7 with 8MB L3 cache

I'm not massively clued up on number these days but I know higher is better, so even on paper it looks better? what exactly is making it slower?
 
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