I am sorry but why are you complaining about the 395x in the new iMac? The Alienware gaming laptops all have it as one of their top tier options.
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AMD M395X in new Retina iMac
- Thread starter MandiMac
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I cannot find any credible benchmarks for this mobile AMD GPU, so it's hard to say at this point in time. Specs-wise, it is inferior to the 980M, but it is also cheaper.I have been waiting for exactly this and now I read that the M395X is crap...could someone please explain to me why exactly this chip is supposed to be so bad?
I am upgrading from a 2012 iMac with a 680MX
Very unlikely, AMD doesn't have any better mobile GPUs than the M295X. I wouldn't it expect to be much faster than your 680MX.
Hmmm. My main issue with the 680MX is the 2GB VRAM. I have problems with GTAV and Skyrim textures for instance. I can play most games in 1080p on high settings, though (just tested Battlefront yesterday).
It depends what you expect from the machine. For gaming, I wouldn't expect more than 20-25% increase over your 680MX. GTA V will be playable (well, it's already with your iMac), but quite sure not with 1440p@60fps.
The money is better invested in a dedicated gaming PC.
The money is better invested in a dedicated gaming PC.
You know, the M295X was between the 970M and the 980M. The M395X will likely be higher clocked and that's why it's likely better than the M295X.
The 680MX can't possibly stand a chance against a new release, regardless of which company.
People who say it's crap are comparing it to a desktop GPU. It is a top of the line (but not THE top of the line) mobile graphics chip that can handle 4K video (hell I was editing 4K video on the 290 recently. Not ideal if you want to add effects, but it worked for basics Blackmagic 4:2:2 pro-res). The 295x and 395x are supposed to be even better.
As long as it can run League of Legends, Diablo 3, and some other modern games @ 1080p (high settings), i'm mostly happy
I'm just not sure whether to get the 2GB or 4GB of video memory...
4GB would make it a bit more future proof.
A M395X can run these games on 1440p guaranteed.I wouldn't bet on 5K though, but 30 fps should be possible with mid to high settings.
Not only that, but the M395X will be better than the M390X just like in the last generation of the riMacs.
I think if you're getting the iMac to use for games, getting the 4GB card is a no brainer (or as much of a no brainer as a $250 upgrade can be...but once you're in for $2500 you might as well be in for $2750). Games in the future will only have more textures, and for gaming at 1440 it will be important to have that extra memory in the future.
M395X is Ok for Bootcamp gaming. M295X is Ok for Bootcamp gaming. Heck, my M290X is Ok for Bootcamp gaming. I know because I've been playing games in, you know, Bootcamp. Latest, demanding PC games in 1080p at very good settings.
And all I see in these benchmarks that 980M is slightly faster in some scenarios. It still remains to be seen if it's faster in pro apps that use OpenCL. And even if it is - so what? Perhaps Apple couldn't get a good deal from Nvidia. Perhaps they couldn't get those to run with all that custom-TCON mumbo-jumbo tech they need to have the world's highest resolution screen.
So, basically you have one of the (if not THE) most beautiful and accurate screens on the market in the best looking desktop computer on the market that is silent, fast and has a great OS.... And can run all the modern games in 1440p resolutions with high details even though it was not created for that purpose - and you find it "disappointing"? Because there is a gaming GPU that can run games a bit better?! I mean, when did everything become crap all of the sudden? When did people start believing they are somehow entitled to whatever they imagine? Apple comes out with a FRIGGIN 5K DISPLAY and people are 'meh'. Apple makes a SILENT supercomputer that is smaller than a trashcan, and people are 'meh'. Apple makes a laptop that is the size of an iPad and people are 'meh'. Apple makes crazy-ass haptic magic "I don't believe I'm not really clicking" trackpad that can sense pressure and people are 'meh'. But when Apple puts a GPU that benchmarks 80 instead of 90 fps in Assassin's Creed people are DISAPPOINTED! Seriously, when did this happen? Oh, right.... It was always this way. It's called "forums on the Internet".
Because people love to whine about everything on here.
I would wait for some real benchmarks to see just how the M395X stacks up against the competition. Has anybody found anything, besides that gpuboss site, which seems to be quoting theoretical numbers.
You took the words out of my mouth. That was my impression of the site as well.
It's not (just) about the performance. AMD cards are currently way inferior in terms of performance per watt. I don't care about that at all in my Hackintosh, but I'd certainly care about that when designing an ultra-thin all in one computer.
Apple does not. They just say "hey, let it run at 100°C all the time, thermal throttling will do the job! And if it doesn't, the non-replacable GPU will hopefully last 'till the end of warranty, the customer will gladly buy a new Mac then!"
Apple does not. They just say "hey, let it run at 100°C all the time, thermal throttling will do the job! And if it doesn't, the non-replacable GPU will hopefully last 'till the end of warranty, the customer will gladly buy a new Mac then!"
The GPUs are mobile cards on MXM modules. They are replaceable. It's not easy, but it's possible. They are difficult to buy as a consumer though.It's not (just) about the performance. AMD cards are currently way inferior in terms of performance per watt. I don't care about that at all in my Hackintosh, but I'd certainly care about that when designing an ultra-thin all in one computer.
Apple does not. They just say "hey, let it run at 100°C all the time, thermal throttling will do the job! And if it doesn't, the non-replacable GPU will hopefully last 'till the end of warranty, the customer will gladly buy a new Mac then!"
This certainly was true not too long ago, unless something has changed recently?
Don't even get me started. GPUBoss seems to show up in every GPU thread; it's like a cancer that plagues every tech forum.
The main thing you want to be aware of is that the 4GB card runs much hotter than the 2GB which means 2 potential issues;
1. Fan noise(well documented in the M295X)
2. Long term effects of high thermal temps in the iMac. No your iMac won't melt but be cautious of any issues down the road. Don't listen to anyone who blindly says 'Apple engineers these computers for high temps'. Use your own head and make your own decision. BMW engineers the M3 for high performance as well, doesn't mean it's going to have the same reliability as a 328.