Macbook Pro 16 inch: observation regarding UHD 630 integrated graphics

[Ybersetzer]

Not a question, just an observation: I realized that the Mac Mini 2018 has the same integrated graphics as the new Macbook Pro 16 inch: Intel UHD 630. (Obviously, the Macbook Pro also has the much beefier *additional* discrete graphics card). Hadn't occurred to me before.

Just an interesting observation because there is the idea of Mac Mini 2018 being woefully underpowered in the graphics department, which I guess it is, if you are talking about serious video editing, CAD and
so on and so forth. But it can't be that bad (for running the UI and "normal" use) if Apple deemed it fit to serve as integrated graphics in this top shelf machine issued in late 2019.

 

[maflynn]

if Apple deemed it fit to serve as integrated graphics in this top shelf machine issued in late 2019.

Apple has no choice in the matter the iGPU is on the same die of the CPU, whether its satisfactory or not is immaterial. Even if Apple felt it was inadequate they could ask intel for a higher powered iGPU for the same class/model CPU

 

[jerryk]

Not a question, just an observation: I realized that the Mac Mini 2018 has the same integrated graphics as the new Macbook Pro 16 inch: Intel UHD 630. (Obviously, the Macbook Pro also has the much beefier *additional* discrete graphics card). Hadn't occurred to me before.

Just an interesting observation because there is the idea of Mac Mini 2018 being woefully underpowered in the graphics department, which I guess it is, if you are talking about serious video editing, CAD and
so on and so forth. But it can't be that bad (for running the UI and "normal" use) if Apple deemed it fit to serve as integrated graphics in this top shelf machine issued in late 2019.

Not really Apple decision. As maflynn points out, the integrated GPU is part of the CPU package. If you want the CPU, this integrated GPU it comes with. But Apple could control the dGPU chip so provided options for people to match to their needs.

 

[leman]

Not a question, just an observation: I realized that the Mac Mini 2018 has the same integrated graphics as the new Macbook Pro 16 inch: Intel UHD 630.

Yes, because they essentially use the same CPU. And as pointed out by others already, it’s anrase the best Intel offers if you want a fast CPU.

 

[mouthster]

Not a question, just an observation: I realized that the Mac Mini 2018 has the same integrated graphics as the new Macbook Pro 16 inch: Intel UHD 630. (Obviously, the Macbook Pro also has the much beefier *additional* discrete graphics card). Hadn't occurred to me before.

Just an interesting observation because there is the idea of Mac Mini 2018 being woefully underpowered in the graphics department, which I guess it is, if you are talking about serious video editing, CAD and
so on and so forth. But it can't be that bad (for running the UI and "normal" use) if Apple deemed it fit to serve as integrated graphics in this top shelf machine issued in late 2019.

The 16" forces discrete graphics whenever you plug in external monitors. The UI performance is fine for the internal display but the UHD 630 isn't as smooth if you are driving a 4k or dual 4k monitors (There's some threads about this). This is one of the reasons why I opted for the 16", as the value proposition of the Mac mini goes down when you factor in the cost of an eGPU.

 

[Ybersetzer]

All of you above: thanks for chiming in, and yes, you are right, the integrated graphics come "packaged" from Intel, and therefore Apple's choices are limited. My point / feeling of surprise was more something like: UHD 630 wasn't a screamer when the Mac Mini 2018 was launched, count me surprised that it was (still) bundled with an otherwise fast CPU a year later with the Macbook Pro 16 inch.

 

[sub150]

Well, it's Intel. The company has been a **** show for almost a decade. They tic toc at a rate much slower than everyone else. At this point, they see the ARM writing on the wall and I doubt Apple is on the 2025 roadmap.

 

[theluggage]

UHD 630 wasn't a screamer when the Mac Mini 2018 was launched, count me surprised that it was (still) bundled with an otherwise fast CPU a year later with the Macbook Pro 16 inch.

...but its a perfectly sensible choice as a low-power fallback for a high-end laptop with a decent discrete GPU. It's only there to let you watch box sets on the plane.

In the case of the Mac Mini, Apple have decided to use desktop-class processors designed for desktop PCs where the iGPU would be fine for basic productivity, media consumption and "business graphics", on Windows but any user who cares about graphics performance will plug in a "proper" PCIe GPU... on a 'mini' machine with no PCIe slots, running MacOS which is probably more GPU/VRAM-heavy than Windows to start with and definitely more GPU/VRAM when running a 4K display in 'scaled' mode. (Windows has a fully scalable UI, which has its glitches, but lets you set the size of the system fonts and UI furniture).

But then the 2018 Mac Mini seems to be exclusively designed for these guys, who presumably don't care about GPUs:

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[Ybersetzer]

In the case of the Mac Mini, Apple have decided to use desktop-class processors designed for desktop PCs where the iGPU would be fine for basic productivity, media consumption and "business graphics", on Windows but any user who cares about graphics performance will plug in a "proper" PCIe GPU... on a 'mini' machine with no PCIe slots, running MacOS which is probably more GPU/VRAM-heavy than Windows to start with and definitely more GPU/VRAM when running a 4K display in 'scaled' mode. (Windows has a fully scalable UI, which has its glitches, but lets you set the size of the system fonts and UI furniture).

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On my Mac Mini i5 driving a LG 4k monitor everything is smooth and fine, so I can't report that the iGPU is not up to the task for "normal" stuff (but yes, mind you, 4k at default settings and no scaled resolutions). I THOUGHT for a while that the UHD 630 showed its weakness when I had a lot of tabs open and clicked "Tab overview" in Safari, as things would visibly slow down. But that of course has nothing to do with the graphics card, it is an issue of the computer re-loading dozens of tabs at the same time.

 

[theluggage]

On my Mac Mini i5 driving a LG 4k monitor everything is smooth and fine, so I can't report that the iGPU is not up to the task for "normal" stuff (but yes, mind you, 4k at default settings and no scaled resolutions).

Yes its probably OK with a single 4k display <= 24" (so 'looks like 1080p' isn't too chunky) or 40+" (so 'looks like 2160' is usable). Other sizes of 4k tend to need scaled resolutions, then some of us like dual display set ups...

Other issue is how much RAM you have - since the 630 has no dedicated VRAM and has to use main memory... so the tabs in Chrome might have been connected with the GPU.