I know Mac’s are not for gaming, but it is worth noting that if the GPU is stressed, the 10 Core GPU might thermal throttle so bad that it performs worse than the 8 core base model.
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8 core GPU faster than 10 core GPU in gaming?
- Thread starter Zest28
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I know Mac’s are not for gaming, but it is worth noting that if the GPU is stressed, the 10 Core GPU might thermal throttle so bad that it performs worse than the 8 core base model.
Good question. Presumably the 8-core GPU will throttle as well after a time. From my understanding, the Tomb Raider benchmark shown in this video is only about 3 minutes, and seeing a drop in the 10-core GPU performance (very slightly) below the 8-core in just 3 minutes is definitely interesting.
I'd like to see a sustained test mapping out when thermal throttling occurs for each and what the sustained performance is of the two configurations.
I'd like to see a sustained test mapping out when thermal throttling occurs for each and what the sustained performance is of the two configurations.
A lot of these stories about premature throttling in the M2 seem like things that could likely be fixed with software updates so I wouldn't worry too much when purchasing.
Really disappointing and surprising.
The $80 extra ($100, but since the charger was included ends up being $80) I spent for the 10 core seems wasted. In the scheme of things, I'll probably never notice, but sure doesn't feel great. If these weren't such a long wait for an order, I'd change my specs.
The $80 extra ($100, but since the charger was included ends up being $80) I spent for the 10 core seems wasted. In the scheme of things, I'll probably never notice, but sure doesn't feel great. If these weren't such a long wait for an order, I'd change my specs.
within a limited power window, more cores=more performance, because for example if you run 10 cores at the same performance at 8 cores, it would run at lower frequency, and thus significantly lower power. Therefore you can run the 10 core at higher performance and same power.
This has always been true, even back then with the first 8-core 15", 8-core will be faster.
The problem is the default behavior is not to run the higher core count chip at same power or performance, but higher power and performance, which will cause you to hit the temperature limit faster, and you'll be forced to throttle in a sub-optimal way. If you could manually limit the power to whatever watts is maximumly sustainable, then more cores will always be better.
So if more cores isn't faster, you need to blame the power management, and not insufficient cooling, it's not like they were ever going to stick a fan in the new Air. But they can change the power management strategy.
I thought this as well. It seems like a software fix could resolve this by simply limiting power consumption and/or spreading the load across 10 GPUs vs. 8 at the same level thus always being faster.
Hoping Apple sees all the panic in the streets and hyperbolic gnashing of teeth on YouTube and puts a fix out down the road.
Very interesting decision, choosing a fan-less MBA to game on.
Would agree, but it is more about the principle that the lower end is outperforming the more expensive/higher end... that is just not right regardless. I figure you know that, but felt compelled to point it out. haha
So it seems we've come full circle. All we've heard now for days is that the base 256GB model is absolutely worthless due to meaningless stress tests by content creators. Now those same creators are telling us that the base 256 is outperforming the 512GB in a completely different meaningless test. Interesting.
It's almost like these tests are useless & can give essentially any result, depending on stringent circumstances.
It has nothing to do with 'base'.
Fact is the 256GB is half the speed of the 512/1TB/2TB options as it can't run two NAND chips in parallel (it only has one)
Fact is the 8 core GPU hit thermal limits later than the 10 core ones leading to the 10 core being faster only for a short burst and then the 8 core being faster in the longer run. As GPU speed is most valuable on longer runs (gaming, rendering, encoding) the 8 core is a better choice.
So no, it's not 'the base' that's better. If you wanted to optimise it you'd go for something like a 16GB/512/8core or higher model.
I think the chassis is the problem with the M2 10 core and maybe more the reason Apple stuck with the old Touch Bar frame for the "Pro". It has enough space for a fan without having to move to the current Pro design. We all want to get as much performance as possible for a slimmer, lighter device, but the MBA has its limitations.