MacBook Pro AMD CPU discussion [merged]

[leman]

It is truly impressive what AMD has achieved here. I expected Intel to be ahead in the single-core performance, but 4900HS is basically toe to tie with Intels fastest here while being much less power-hungry.

 

[carlos700]

I largely agree, but the HS versions are Asus-exclusive. I have little doubt that Apple couldn't requisition their own parts too. But seeing as Intel just made custom parts for MacBook Air, I get the sense the Intel-Apple relationship is going strong.

 

[senttoschool]

I largely agree, but the HS versions are Asus-exclusive. I have little doubt that Apple couldn't requisition their own parts too. But seeing as Intel just made custom parts for MacBook Air, I get the sense the Intel-Apple relationship is going strong.

Intel didn't make any custom parts for the Macbook Air. Apple just got better-binned chips, which is nothing new. Apple has always received the best binned Intel chips.

 

[TSE]

Watching more of the reviews, especially Linus's and Dave2D's has been cool - AMD really just destroyed Intel. Cheaper, faster in everyway to even Intel's very best laptop chip, uses 40% less energy, runs cooler in even smaller form factors, and has an iGPU equivalent to an nvidia 250mx.

The only thing that would stop me from getting one are the designs - OEMs really need to step up and put AMD chips into their premium designs; they've earned it. Even the G14s that all the reviews are using looks cheap and clunky. Until then, I'm afraid not everyone knows the technicalities and most people will go by whatever laptop feels the best at their local Best Buy - and that will still be Intel.

 

[dgdosen]

It's not pretty for Intel. Intel's best just got pummeled by AMD in everything that matters: price, power efficiency, and performance. In many multi-threaded applications, it's not even close for Intel.

I would like 8 cores and 16 threads in a power sipping laptop...

 

[JacobHarvey]

Incredibly impressive that these new 4000 series CPUs smash Intel in the vast majority of testing while using significantly less power (and also needing less cooling). They also come with integrated GPUs that outperforms dedicated laptop GPUs like the nVidia MX250 in the top packages (a far cry from that integrated intel 'UHD' reheated slideshow garbage from 2015) see

I wonder if Intel's 'incentives' and 'special relationships' with many manufacturers will still be able to convince OEMs to avoid widespread use of AMD in their mid range and premium laptop ranges.

 

[MrGunnyPT]

Watching more of the reviews, especially Linus's and Dave2D's has been cool - AMD really just destroyed Intel. Cheaper, faster in everyway to even Intel's very best laptop chip, uses 40% less energy, runs cooler in even smaller form factors, and has an iGPU equivalent to an nvidia 250mx.

The only thing that would stop me from getting one are the designs - OEMs really need to step up and put AMD chips into their premium designs; they've earned it. Even the G14s that all the reviews are using looks cheap and clunky. Until then, I'm afraid not everyone knows the technicalities and most people will go by whatever laptop feels the best at their local Best Buy - and that will still be Intel.

It's a giant jump for them without a doubt.

I'm curious to see which designs are coming from the other manufacturers
[automerge]1585637375[/automerge]

Incredibly impressive that these new 4000 series CPUs smash Intel in the vast majority of testing while using significantly less power (and also needing less cooling). They also come with integrated GPUs that outperforms dedicated laptop GPUs like the nVidia MX250 in the top packages (a far cry from that integrated intel 'UHD' reheated slideshow garbage from 2015) see

I wonder if Intel's 'incentives' and 'special relationships' with many manufacturers will still be able to convince OEMs to avoid widespread use of AMD in their mid range and premium laptop ranges.

Yeah I believe the incentives and people thinking Intel is better will continue to dominate the market segment. I believe AMD should push Intel into the price war with the better product for this first generation
[automerge]1585637575[/automerge]

Reviews of Asus's new ROG Zephyrus G14 laptop with AMD 4900HS (Zen2) are up. I don't want to seem spammy so please Google for reviews yourself. They're everywhere on Youtube/review sites.

It's not pretty for Intel. Intel's best just got pummeled by AMD in everything that matters: price, power efficiency, and performance. In many multi-threaded applications, it's not even close for Intel.

As a software engineer, I have to use MacOS. But right now, anyone buying an AMD laptop will get something significantly cheaper, faster, and more efficient than what I can get from Apple. Apple simply can't offer anything that competes with AMD's new APUs at the moment.

I understand that Apple might move to ARM as soon as next year so the chance of Apple switching to AMD now is highly unlikely. Until Apple moves its Pro lineup to an ARM processor that is better than AMD's best, it's really hard to justify upgrading to a new Macbook Pro for someone who yearns for the highest performance and value like myself.

Apple won't move their "Pro" line ups to ARM all of the sudden unless they had some really good emulation at both hardware and software.

 

[koyoot]

I largely agree, but the HS versions are Asus-exclusive. I have little doubt that Apple couldn't requisition their own parts too. But seeing as Intel just made custom parts for MacBook Air, I get the sense the Intel-Apple relationship is going strong.

HS versions are Asus Exclusive only for 6 months. There will be plenty of HS based laptops after this time.

I would like 8 cores and 16 threads in a power sipping laptop...

Then you want U versions of Renoir APUs.

Speaking of: https://next.lab501.ro/notebook/amd...ng-a15-amd-ryzen-5-4600h-vs-amd-ryzen-7-4800h

Here are reviews of different flavors of Renoir APUs: 4800H, 4600H - both 45W TDP, 4700U, 4500U - both 15 TDP.

I can tell you already guys, Nothing Apple will come up with, based on Intel CPUs will compare to this. 15W TDP 4700U is just scoring 6% less than Core i9-9880H, from 15/16 inch MacBook Pro.

4700U could easily be fit into 13 inch MBP. Easily, while delivering similar performance to 16 inch MBP. Ubelievable.

 

[Val-kyrie]

It is a well-known issue that several pro software including Adobe CC does not work with Ryzen well. Check the reddit.

In a review of the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 laptop which features the 4900HS (8C, 16T, 35W CPU), Hardware Canucks made a comment which backs up reddit. According to the reviewer, Adobe Premier functions better on Intel CPUs than on AMD CPUs because AMD CPUs do not feature QuickSync support, "which is an Intel exclusive feature, and Adobe embraces that for XLR rated rendering." Given Apple's close ties to Adobe, I have difficulty imagining Apple switching to AMD, as much as I would support that move.

 

[koyoot]

In a review of the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 laptop which features the 4900HS (8C, 16T, 35W CPU), Hardware Canucks made a comment which backs up reddit. According to the reviewer, Adobe Premier functions better on Intel CPUs than on AMD CPUs because AMD CPUs do not feature QuickSync support, "which is an Intel exclusive feature, and Adobe embraces that for XLR rated rendering." Given Apple's close ties to Adobe, I have difficulty imagining Apple switching to AMD, as much as I would support that move.

Adobe supports Quick Sync, because Apple uses Intel CPUs in MBPs. If Apple would switch, Adobe would also optimize their software for AMD CPUs.

 

[carlos700]

Intel didn't make any custom parts for the Macbook Air. Apple just got better-binned chips, which is nothing new. Apple has always received the best binned Intel chips.

I would argue these are custom. Perhaps not Apple exclusive, but they are a different package designed for a "single customer". Perhaps Intel will start selling them as "on-roadmap" eventually.

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[carlos700]

I can tell you already guys, Nothing Apple will come up with, based on Intel CPUs will compare to this. 15W TDP 4700U is just scoring 6% less than Core i9-9880H, from 15/16 inch MacBook Pro.

4700U could easily be fit into 13 inch MBP. Easily, while delivering similar performance to 16 inch MBP. Ubelievable.

Agreed. 10th-gen H series chips look to have the same base clocks but just higher boosts which does that really matter inside the thermal profile of thin notebooks?

 

[senttoschool]

I would argue these are custom. Perhaps not Apple exclusive, but they are a different package designed for a "single customer". Perhaps Intel will start selling them as "on-roadmap" eventually.

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Custom implies that they're different architecturally. They're just better binned CPUs. Same thing as Asus having exclusive access to the better binned 4900HS.