Rookie question, but would a cpu upgrade provide any noticeable performance benefit to gaming?
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Is 2.6 i7 actually better than 2.7?
- Thread starter Fireball Dragon
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Rookie question, but would a cpu upgrade provide any noticeable performance benefit to gaming?
Rapp
macrumors member
There's no hard and fast answer as it depends on the actual game, how well optimised it is etc. If you look on YouTube there have been some i5 vs i7 for gaming videos and there's very little in it. Generally a better GPU gives more improvement for the money.
I wouldn't really use a Mac for gaming other than a bit of casual with medium to low settings. Saying that I did try Kerbal Space Program on my m5 MacBook!
Thanks. The only game i will probably be playing is ZWIFT. It is not really a 'game' per say, more of an online cycling software. https://zwift.com
I am currently running the software on a 1.2Ghz Intel Core M / HD 5300 on my 12" MacBook, so am expecting a huge upgrade to the graphics, in game architecture, etc.
No idea how much to trust them (due to hackintoshes) but geekbench has some scores for the 6700HQ and 6820HQ running in the MacbookPro 13,3 - i.e. the 2016 15".
Best 6700HQ score (from quick scan of the results)
https://browser.primatelabs.com/v4/cpu/1030762
Best 6820HQ score
https://browser.primatelabs.com/v4/cpu/1037729
Bizarrely the 6700HQ is slightly ahead in single core and only one point behind in multi core.
Looking at other uploaded scores the 6820HQ rates better overall (on average), but there's not a lot in it.
I think the difference in most tasks will be negligible with the major exception of bitcoin mining (!) where the 6820HQ is apparently ~50% faster.
FWIW I'm in the same quandary - 6700HQ on order and only just figured out the price difference with the 6820HQ was (only) £80 when all other specifications are matched, but also can't bear to cancel and wait until next year. I've been waiting FAR too long.
Best 6700HQ score (from quick scan of the results)
https://browser.primatelabs.com/v4/cpu/1030762
Best 6820HQ score
https://browser.primatelabs.com/v4/cpu/1037729
Bizarrely the 6700HQ is slightly ahead in single core and only one point behind in multi core.
Looking at other uploaded scores the 6820HQ rates better overall (on average), but there's not a lot in it.
I think the difference in most tasks will be negligible with the major exception of bitcoin mining (!) where the 6820HQ is apparently ~50% faster.
FWIW I'm in the same quandary - 6700HQ on order and only just figured out the price difference with the 6820HQ was (only) £80 when all other specifications are matched, but also can't bear to cancel and wait until next year. I've been waiting FAR too long.
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graffixnyc
macrumors regular
I returned my MBP 13 TB for the 15. I'm undecided on which to get as well. The 2.6 base with just upgraded 512GB ssd or the 2.7 base. I use the machine mostly for development (xcode, android studio, web development, db development). I'm not really a gamer, I do not do any video editing or anything like that. With my education discount the 2.6 with upgraded 512 ssd is $2429 before tax and the base 2.7 is $2599. So a difference of $170 to get the 2.7 which is a smidgen faster, has more cache and has the 455 compared to the 450. But I wonder if I'll notice any difference for development purposes (build times etc)
Every project is different, but one of our large C++ projects compiled with gcc builds in 4:20ish on the 2.6 and right around 4:00 on a 2.7. Not a huge difference but not nothing either. I jumped to the 2.7 mostly because I had a mushy keyboard on the initial machine I ordered (2.6/512) and the 2.7's where in stock. Otherwise the two feel pretty much the same as far as battery life etc.
graffixnyc
macrumors regular
Thanks for the reply! Yeah, I'm now leaning towards the 2.7 only because I can go pick one up at pretty much any of the stores in my area. now if Apple would just finish my refund I can order one. I'm going to CT on thursday which has a lower tax rate than NYC so I think I'll just pick it up then on my way to where I'm going. I'll save about $65 in taxes
Scary Spice
macrumors 6502
I went with the 2.9. It is the most expensive so it must be the best, right?
I also got 1TB and the 460.
I also got 1TB and the 460.
tbobmccoy
macrumors 6502a
The 460 is the only upgrade there worth it. I just bought my 2016 with that one upgrade in mind. That's why I went with the 2.7, personally. The higher end upgrade was only net for a faster processor and double storage. Worth it for me.