M3 Pro - binned vs unbinned

[darthbane2k]

Am considering either the

1) 11 core CPU 14 GPU M3 pro
or the

2)12 core CPU 18 core GPU M3.
The RAM will remain the base 18GB as will the SSD at 512 (refuse to pay £200 to boost to 1TB when I have a T9 external 2TB SSD)
Which option do you advise? Am I really going to see much difference in performance?

 

[Mac Hammer Fan]

I would go for the 12 core CPU 18 core GPU M3 pro.
here you can see the differences in speed (15340 vs 14168 CPU and 79757 vs 68665 GPU)

Geekbench Search - Geekbench

Geekbench Search - Geekbench

 

[Basic75]

First, you didn't say what you'll be using your computer for. Second, when you need to ask then most probably the smaller option will be sufficient.

 

[Basic75]

I would go for the 12 core CPU 18 core GPU M3 pro.

Why? @darthbane2k hasn't even said what they need the machine for.

 

[darthbane2k]

Why? @darthbane2k hasn't even said what they need the machine for.

Software development (although most of that is through a VM), graphic design, a bit of video editing from time to time too. I dont game on a Mac, I have a Switch and PS5 for that.

 

[Chancha]

Judging by rough benchmarks, the difference is only 90% vs 100% in both CPU multi-core and Metal. Without even the 1TB advantage in the standard SKU that you are avoiding, this is what you will see, at most 10% difference.

Apple did reduce the price of this upgrade than previously, it was I think 300, now it is just 200.

I think it is a wash. And since you are almost buying on day 1 with full price. If the same question is asked 6 months from now, the base will be much discounted out there or at Apple Refurb Store, then we will get a different math.

 

[darthbane2k]

Judging by rough benchmarks, the difference is only 90% vs 100% in both CPU multi-core and Metal. Without even the 1TB advantage in the standard SKU that you are avoiding, this is what you will see, at most 10% difference.

Apple did reduce the price of this upgrade than previously, it was I think 300, now it is just 200.

I think it is a wash. And since you are almost buying on day 1 with full price. If the same question is asked 6 months from now, the base will be much discounted out there or at Apple Refurb Store, then we will get a different math.

You are right in that there is the standard sku with both the cores and the additional storage. Do you really think the 1Tb will make the world of difference given that I have a 2TB T9 external SSD drive I use. Im taking about memory swap etc..

 

[Mac Hammer Fan]

This reviewer says the 12 core is not worth it. It's only a speed increase of 5% in comparison to the 11 core.

 

[TheRealAlex]

12C M3 Pro is as Fast as the M2 Max. I feel bad for the M2 owners. They Got DUPED !

 

[Chancha]

You are right in that there is the standard sku with both the cores and the additional storage. Do you really think the 1Tb will make the world of difference given that I have a 2TB T9 external SSD drive I use. Im taking about memory swap etc..

As with storage, if you are putting things on it often, I mean media files in and out if you are a creator, then it is more of a matter of actually holding them internally, vs externally that just diminishes portability.

But if on the matter of the infamous swap issue, I never found that to be a compiling enough reason. The random read and write speeds are not decreased even with the nerfed SSD last year, and swaps are random. Also as you can see from videos above, the sequential storage speed "improved", despite only using 2 NANDs as oppose to 4 NANDs like in 2021.

 

[taven val]

This reviewer says the 12 core is not worth it. It's only a speed increase of 5% in comparison to the 11 core.

yeah but if I remember correctly, the youtuber says GPU performance is like 18% or so better. He said the upgrade is not worth it for CPU but is worth it for GPU. So it depends on what the OP needs the extra bump in GPU or not.