Hard to make decisions when chosing the next computer

[Spindel]

And maybe someone can give me some insight here.

I’ve been looking to upgrade my M1 Mini (16 GB). One of the things I do want is a bit more graphics umph both for the gaming I do and for other tasks.

So naturally I’ve been looking at the M4 Pro. Been thinking of the 20 core GPU version and with 48 GB of RAM. Now I know 24 GB (base conf) will serve me for a good while but since the memory is shared I was thinking maybe having one step up in RAM might be good specially if I load big models.

But then I looked at the Mac Studio and see that the M4 Max version with 32 core GPU and 36 GB RAM will cost me almost the same and that leaves me in the conundrum how will these factors differ in performance?

Firstly it would be nice to have at least 32 GB of RAM, is it worth going with the studio then and getting the extra gpu cores instead of more RAM?



As a foot note, yeah M5 will probably arrive soon but I expect what I’ve written above will be true for that too

 

[avro707]

I have an M4 Pro (the standard configuration) Mac Mini which is great for running Zwift. It does get quite hot however.

I have to wonder if for gaming a PC with a dedicated Nvidia GPU would be better, depending on what games you do.

The Mac Studio is quite a lot of money as well and if you want to have more RAM (48GB) then you have to go for a higher spec processor and BAM, up goes the price.

 

[maflynn]

I’ve been looking to upgrade my M1 Mini (16 GB). One of the things I do want is a bit more graphics umph both for the gaming I do and for other tasks.

Here's my journey and $.02

I was looking to build a new PC last year, and started looking at the prices of the components and realized I didn't want to spend that much. Someone mentioned the Mac Mini at 499 (on sale at microcenter). I looked at that, and while I was close to pulling the trigger, the lack of gpu cores for gaming was my concern. I opted for the M4 Pro Mini, installed crossover and started gaming. I tried a number of Bethesda games (I'm a Bethesda fan) and i was shocked at how poorly it performed. Additionally, the M4 Pro Mini was running hot, like 80c to 90c under typical load and throttling while gaming.

I returned it and got the M4 Max Studio (base model), and gaming under crossover has been excellent all around. I can now play Starfield (that game wouldn't even load on the mini) temps are generally not higher then 50c and its much more capable machine.

you're options as I see it.
Buy a M4 Max Studio now or wait for the M5 Max Studio rumored to be released this spring
Buy a M4 Pro Mini but gaming will not be ideal but its possible and performance for macos games will be decent.
Buid/build a Pc. Given the state of the industry, this could run you a serious chunk of change, but it gives you the most performance. Downside is running windows and all of the headaches it brings.

 

[Spindel]

Here's my journey and $.02

I was looking to build a new PC last year, and started looking at the prices of the components and realized I didn't want to spend that much. Someone mentioned the Mac Mini at 499 (on sale at microcenter). I looked at that, and while I was close to pulling the trigger, the lack of gpu cores for gaming was my concern. I opted for the M4 Pro Mini, installed crossover and started gaming. I tried a number of Bethesda games (I'm a Bethesda fan) and i was shocked at how poorly it performed. Additionally, the M4 Pro Mini was running hot, like 80c to 90c under typical load and throttling while gaming.

I returned it and got the M4 Max Studio (base model), and gaming under crossover has been excellent all around. I can now play Starfield (that game wouldn't even load on the mini) temps are generally not higher then 50c and its much more capable machine.

you're options as I see it.
Buy a M4 Max Studio now or wait for the M5 Max Studio rumored to be released this spring
Buy a M4 Pro Mini but gaming will not be ideal but its possible and performance for macos games will be decent.
Buid/build a Pc. Given the state of the industry, this could run you a serious chunk of change, but it gives you the most performance. Downside is running windows and all of the headaches it brings.

Thanks for the reply.

I will not build a gaming machine, I want a mac that can handle some gaming.

 

[maflynn]

I will not build a gaming machine, I want a mac that can handle some gaming.

Depending on the type of games you play the Studio would be your best bet, but is pricey, then the M4 Pro Mini behind that, though as I mentioned temps can be a thing. I'd recommend Macs fan control to manage the heat that way if you go with the M4 Pro Mini.

Apple has a 16 day return period, maybe try the M4 Pro Mini first with your most demanding games and see how it works

 

[Spindel]

Depending on the type of games you play the Studio would be your best bet, but is pricey, then the M4 Pro Mini behind that, though as I mentioned temps can be a thing. I'd recommend Macs fan control to manage the heat that way if you go with the M4 Pro Mini.

Apple has a 16 day return period, maybe try the M4 Pro Mini first with your most demanding games and see how it works

As I said when I’m looking I have price parity between the Mini Pro with 48 GB ram and base Studio (with 36 GB ram)

For a case where I would go with 24 GB in the Mini Pro it is cheaper.

 

[tonmischa]

I have a M2 Max MacStudio and M1 base MacMini. The additional GPU cores will definitely help with gaming.
Also: You talk about "loading bigger models". I assume you are talking about Local LLMs? The additional GPU cores will definitely help there as well, since the LLMs mostly run on the GPU cores.
So - from your description: should do gaming, should do Local LLMs - the MacStudio is the better choice.

Or in other words:
If you are able to load bigger models (because of more RAM in the MacMini), but have to wait even longer for output (because of less GPUs), is that you want?

 

[Spindel]

I have a M2 Max MacStudio and M1 base MacMini. The additional GPU cores will definitely help with gaming.
Also: You talk about "loading bigger models". I assume you are talking about Local LLMs? The additional GPU cores will definitely help there as well, since the LLMs mostly run on the GPU cores.
So - from your description: should do gaming, should do Local LLMs - the MacStudio is the better choice.

Or in other words:
If you are able to load bigger models (because of more RAM in the MacMini), but have to wait even longer for output (because of less GPUs), is that you want?

Actually I wasn’t really clear there with the models. I was talking about 3D models and not LLMs.

 

[tonmischa]

I was talking about 3D models

Like for 3D printing? Or CAD? yeah, i don't have any personal experience there 🙂

 

[ScanPro]

Depending on the type of games you play the Studio would be your best bet, but is pricey, then the M4 Pro Mini behind that, though as I mentioned temps can be a thing. I'd recommend Macs fan control to manage the heat that way if you go with the M4 Pro Mini.

Apple has a 16 day return period, maybe try the M4 Pro Mini first with your most demanding games and see how it works

This^^. Mac fan control works very well with all my games, although I am not as a serious gamer as maflynn. Try the M4 Pro, if not then return. My M4 Pro base system does Everything I need. We each need to find out what really work for each one of us.