4K monitor scaling and performance impact on M1?

[curious248]

I'm looking to get a new 4K monitor (Dell U2720Q) to pair with a new M1 MacBook. I'm still debating between the M1 MacBook Air vs. the 14" M1 Pro MBP.

I've read that scaling on a 4K monitor using a MacBook can cause some performance issues, slowing the computer down. Given that the M1 MBA has either 7 or 8 core GPU, and the M1 Pro has a 16 core GPU, would going with a higher core GPU have a noticeable impact on the performance impact of 4K scaling?

In other words, if I wanted to do 4K scaling to an external monitor (U2720Q), should I get a M1 Pro (16 core) instead of an M1 MBA (7/8 core)?

 

[arw]

It mainly depends on what you plan on doing. Any kind of media consumption (not gaming) is possible either way.
There are reports of a decrease in performance up to 50% on GPU-heavy applications.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/psa-4k-display-resolutions.2345906/post-31130130
The “problematic scaling“ does not occur when running the 4K screen in “looks like 1080p“ Retina mode. So if you like a relatively large UI at 27“, you don‘t have to worry.