If I order the custom M1 Max with the 24 Core-GPU, am I getting a "gimped" version of M1 Max?

[XciteMePls]

I think my question sounds weird but what I'm trying to ask is, besides having lesser GPU cores, is there anything else that the custom M1 Max on the base second-tier 16" package has less of or maybe isn't as capable as its maxed-out cousin?

I exchanged my 2016 15" MBP w/ Touch Bar within my return window after I learned the entry-level 2.6GHz I7 chip had less L3 Cache than the 2.7 custom version, which I exchanged it for.

I really want to order this new MBP tonight but I just wanna make sure I have all my bases covered. Thanks.

 

[fakestrawberryflavor]

I mean yea, this is how silicon works. You’re getting a die which was faulty or broken in some areas. So they laser off the bad areas and offer it as a less capable, yet salvaged solution. Sometimes they are less power efficient or don’t reach as of of clocks also, as a perfect chip might. But to know how much exacty may never be known, and honestly it might not matter depending on how apple binned them and produced them.

 

[TiggrToo]

I think my question sounds weird but what I'm trying to ask is, besides having lesser GPU cores, is there anything else that the custom M1 Max on the base second-tier 16" package has less of or maybe isn't as capable as its maxed-out cousin?

I exchanged my 2016 15" MBP w/ Touch Bar within my return window after I learned the entry-level 2.6GHz I7 chip had less L3 Cache than the 2.7 custom version, which I exchanged it for.

I really want to order this new MBP tonight but I just wanna make sure I have all my bases covered. Thanks.

It'll probably be a binned Max - nothing wrong with it - the CPU industry uses binning all over.

 

[XciteMePls]

I mean yea, this is how silicon works. You’re getting a die which was faulty or broken in some areas. So they laser off the bad areas and offer it as a less capable, yet salvaged solution. Sometimes they are less power efficient or don’t reach as of of clocks also, as a perfect chip might. But to know how much exacty may never be known, and honestly it might not matter depending on how apple binned them and produced them.

Omg... I remember reading about "binning" a few weeks ago when 2021 MBP rumors came up. Forgive me, I'm obviously not that educated about computer tech on your guys' level, but that's why I'm asking you. You're the experts who I trust.

It sounds like the custom version is like a "marked down" version of the M1 Max, and if this is gonna be a computer I really invest in and enjoy for years, I don't want a gimped processor on it.

I'm going to get the 1TB version maxed-out Max, instead of the 2TB 24-Core Max custom chip. I haven't even used 25% of my 2016 MBP's 1TB storage, almost 5 years later.

 

[TiggrToo]

Omg... I remember reading about "binning" a few weeks ago when 2021 MBP rumors came up. Forgive me, I'm obviously not that educated about computer tech on your guys' level, but that's why I'm asking you. You're the experts who I trust.

It sounds like the custom version is like a "marked down" version of the M1 Max, and if this is gonna be a computer I really invest in and enjoy for years, I don't want a gimped processor on it.

I'm going to get the 1TB version maxed-out Max, instead of the 2TB 24-Core Max custom chip. I haven't even used 25% of my 2016 MBP's 1TB storage, almost 5 years later.

It's anything but "gimped".

 

[XciteMePls]

It's anything but "gimped".

fakestrawberryflava's reply made it sound that way to me. Maybe I'm reading too much into it.

 

[gigapocket1]

Omg... I remember reading about "binning" a few weeks ago when 2021 MBP rumors came up. Forgive me, I'm obviously not that educated about computer tech on your guys' level, but that's why I'm asking you. You're the experts who I trust.

It sounds like the custom version is like a "marked down" version of the M1 Max, and if this is gonna be a computer I really invest in and enjoy for years, I don't want a gimped processor on it.

I'm going to get the 1TB version maxed-out Max, instead of the 2TB 24-Core Max custom chip. I haven't even used 25% of my 2016 MBP's 1TB storage, almost 5 years later.

I wouldn’t worry about buying a “gimped” version. Apple does it through their product line as well as every other manufacturer. I7 is nothing but i9 with defective cores. I5 is nothing but i9 with defective cores. It still meets the i5 or i7 speed threshold that Intel states. It’s the same with Apple for this I would assume. The difference between pro and max will just be defective cores but will meet the minimum standards. Just buy what you need. Don’t worry about “gimped”.

 

[TiggrToo]

fakestrawberryflava's reply made it sound that way to me. Maybe I'm reading too much into it.

The entire industry practices “binning”. Unless you know of it you’d not even know - if you get my meaning…

 

[ashamam]

The difference between pro and max will just be defective cores but will meet the minimum standards

The difference between differing GPU cores on a Max will be defective cores (or potentially just disabled cores if they have a 24 core production target to hit and not enough defective chips). But the difference between Pro and Max is much more than binning....

 

[Tagbert]

I think my question sounds weird but what I'm trying to ask is, besides having lesser GPU cores, is there anything else that the custom M1 Max on the base second-tier 16" package has less of or maybe isn't as capable as its maxed-out cousin?

I exchanged my 2016 15" MBP w/ Touch Bar within my return window after I learned the entry-level 2.6GHz I7 chip had less L3 Cache than the 2.7 custom version, which I exchanged it for.

I really want to order this new MBP tonight but I just wanna make sure I have all my bases covered. Thanks.

Binning happens when chips are made and tested. In almost all chips some defects are found. If a defect is found in a processor core, they can disable that core and the rest of the chip is fine. As long as they don’t find too many defects, the chip passes the tests and can be used. Having a core disabled doesn’t mean that the rest of the chip is bad. They sometimes build in extra components knowing that a certain percentage will be bad and will need to be disabled. This happens in memory chips.

If it’s just about the 24 vs 32 cores in the GPU, then you don’t need to worry. Yes, this is almost certainly a case of binning, but that doesn’t mean that the the 24 core version is going to be a problem. It will perform as well as 24 cores would always. You will pay proportionally less for it. Not something to worry about.

 

[fakestrawberryflavor]

Total common practice. Even the highest end GA102 (RTX 3090) has a few disabled cores, and no current consumer product has a fully enabled GA102 die yet. It’s not a perfect piece of silicon but it’s fine as it is, by design. Same with the versions of M1 pro and max. Apple is saving money by using salvaged parts by offering them as SKUs. If they could only sell the complete perfect dies it would be a lot fewer of them and it would cost a lot more money for us.

 

[Xenomorph]

Maybe the 32-core units are also broke! Perhaps the die was designed with 40 cores, and they only enable 32 if they can get at least that many running correctly.

Also, don't think of the 24-core as "lesser" - those 24 cores have been put through a workout, so you KNOW they work. You're getting a system that probably uses less power, runs cooler, and is cheaper than the 32-core model.

 

[PTLove]

Its a chip with 8 of its GPU cores defective (or more specifically anywhere from 1 to 8 of its cores defective, as Apple does not offer anything in between). The CPU cores, memory cache, IO controllers, are all exact 1-1 matches. The binning (how power efficient the chip is) cannot be determined either, as you can have a wonderfully binned chip that just has a few bad GPU cores.

Its the exact same M1 Max as the 32 core, just with 75% the GPU performance. Nothing else will work "worse".

 

[gomakoto]

Will a 24 core GPU be theoretically less reliable than a 32 core?

 

[vivid.gear71]

it could run cooler

 

[Tagbert]

Will a 24 core GPU be theoretically less reliable than a 32 core?

No. It just means that at least one core did not pass the production tests. One tiny flaw in a chip substrate or mask can cause that. There may be 31 good cores, but they disable them in groups. A flaw in one core really doesn’t say anything about the state of the other cores. What you do know is that the 24 cores that are active all passed their tests and graduated to assembly. Those that didn’t pass end up in the discard bin.

 

[Sammy in SoCal]

I think my question sounds weird but what I'm trying to ask is, besides having lesser GPU cores, is there anything else that the custom M1 Max on the base second-tier 16" package has less of or maybe isn't as capable as its maxed-out cousin?

I exchanged my 2016 15" MBP w/ Touch Bar within my return window after I learned the entry-level 2.6GHz I7 chip had less L3 Cache than the 2.7 custom version, which I exchanged it for.

I really want to order this new MBP tonight but I just wanna make sure I have all my bases covered. Thanks.

BRING OUT THE GIMP!

 

[racostaf]

it could run cooler

What do you mean? Can't Decide Between MBP 14" - M1 Max 32-core GPU or 24-core GPU, with 32GB Ram and 1TB... I appreciate a lot your help

 

[gomakoto]

Theoretically, having less cores running means less heat. Therefore it runs cooler. Buy the best you can afford. For me that was the 24 core version.

 

[racostaf]

Theoretically, having less cores running means less heat. Therefore it runs cooler. Buy the best you can afford. For me that was the 24 core version.

Thanks, sorry if it's a stupid question, but if I buy the 32-GPU, would I understand that it would be less cooler? Or is just the opposite?

 

[gomakoto]

Thanks, sorry if it's a stupid question, but if I buy the 32-GPU, would I understand that it would be less cooler? Or is just the opposite?

32 cores will run the hottest. However if you’re using the 16” model it won’t matter nearly as much. The more cores the hotter it runs. The 14” also runs a little hotter having smaller thermals.

 

[acalegari]

24c is the sweet spot! It will still have faster bus to RAM than the Pro plus 20% gpu perf on top of pro. All bells and whistles of max, including double dedicated encoders but just less gpu cores, less heat and all goodness still there. Got myself a gloriously binned 24c 16 inch masterpiece in retro silver! Can’t wait for the baby who will be with me the next 4-5+ years

 

[IllIllIll]

I'm going to get the 1TB version maxed-out Max, instead of the 2TB 24-Core Max custom chip. I haven't even used 25% of my 2016 MBP's 1TB storage, almost 5 years later.

You're spending quite a bit of extra money for no benefit to you whatsoever. But hey, it's your money so spend it how you like.