GPUs vs External Monitors

[CosmoPilot]

I’m a complete noob on this. Many articles in the past discussed needing a certain eGPU to push a certain external monitor configuration. However, with the M1 Pro/Max it seems like the CPU chip (Not GPU) is a determining factor.

Apple says with the M1 Pro you can push 2 external monitors (6K @ 60Hz). With the M1 Max pushing 4 (three at 6K/60Hz + 1080p). The Max comes in either a 24 or 32 core configuration.

So my question is three fold: (1) Does the new GPU cores/configuration factor any at all in pushing a particular external monitor configuration (say multiple 49” ultra wide 5K2k displays)? (2) If not, does the GPU cores matter at all in pushing a large external monitor setup? (3) What role do the GPU Cores play in external monitor capability?

Apple did not differentiate between the 24 core variant and the 32 core variant. They only say a Max can push X displays while a Pro can push Y displays. No mention of GPU configuration.

 

[bluesteel]

I have the exact same questions. Trying to understand this before I place an order.

 

[AJTC]

Interested to find this out too while I can still cancel my order.

 

[lixuelai]

The limitation is not because of the GPU performance but because of the Display Engines. Seems like the M1 Pro has 1 Display Engine and can output to 2 monitors and the Max has 2x Display Engines. GPU, if you have enough outputs, doesn't care how many displays it has attached to it. Only the # of pixels matter.

 

[SpotOnT]

OK, let me do my best to have a shot at this, although I am sure others might be able to explain it better.

The number of displays you can connect to is largely dependent on bandwidth capacity and the display engine. That is how many much data can the computer push in and out silumrtaniously and what the actual driver (display engine) can handle. This will determine the number of monitors and supported resolutions for your device.

When it comes to what you can do on those external displays though, now that depends on your GPU power. For example, the frame rate you will get on a game on a huge monitor with a high pixel density, that is all GPU based. Or how fast will it take to render a graphic on a high pixel (large) display. So both matter, but in different ways.

What I am not clear on, is how much RAM does the GPU require when driving a larger display. Specifically, I am wondering if you intend to use graphic intensive processes on multiple monitors, do you also need more RAM as well?