MBP16 M1 Max (2021) vs MBP16 i9 (2019) with eGPU

[maik_is_here]

I would like to know how the latest M1Max MBP16 inch compares to the fastest i9 MBP16 with a medium-spec eGPU. I can’t really find any comparison and I wonder whether anyone here has made that transition?

Background:

I run an i9 2019 16 inch model with a Raxor Core X and ATI 5500 XT in it. The total package performs very well at top speed even under high load and is not too noisy. Little twist: For anyone who knows, I have applied the VRM mod that significantly improves cooling.

I consider upgrading to a new MBP16inch with M1Max or even a studio with M1Ultra, but wonder whether it really performs better to my current setup. How does the graphics performance of an M1Max compare to the dedicated graphics of a modest 5500XT?

One experience I had: Last year, I tested an M1 Mac Mini and it was hopelessly underpowered. In my main use case, I run live online zoom and MS teams workshops with rather complex OBS scenes that overlay screen areas, chroma effects etc. While my i9 with eGPU stays at constant 30-40% resource use, the M1 maxxed out with all cores and caused Zoom to reduce resolution. It was an odd experience...the M1 stayed very responsive, but was 100% used; however, zoom scaled down…they even confirmed it during a support call that they saw remotely that my CPU was fully utilised. I also do know that MS Teams and especially OBS require Rosetta still, so this likely plays a big role.

Would love to know how M1Max or M1Ultra match or exceed the performance of an i9 with eGPU!

Thanks all!

 

[GumaRodak]

The hot fan noise issue was fixed in monterey, there is no gpu power draw anymore with external monitor.
Anyway, try forums like egpu.io which is dedicated for egpus. I think that the egpu is better performance as gpus in M1 macs ….

 

[maik_is_here]

The hot fan noise issue was fixed in monterey, there is no gpu power draw anymore with external monitor.
Anyway, try forums like egpu.io which is dedicated for egpus. I think that the egpu is better performance as gpus in M1 macs ….

In my experience Monterey reduced some of the power draw from dedicated internal gpu, but only by a bit. And this does not apply here anyway, since the power draw from internal dedicated gpu is usually at 2W or less when an eGPU is connected. And thanks for sharing your opinion!

 

[GumaRodak]

Well, the latests osx version droped the power draw to smthg like 6w while on external monitor, you just have to ensure 60hz refresh rate… there is a separate topic on this forum for this…where several ppls confirmed the fix

 

[maik_is_here]

Well, the latests osx version droped the power draw to smthg like 6w while on external monitor, you just have to ensure 60hz refresh rate… there is a separate topic on this forum for this…where several ppls confirmed the fix

Yes, that’s fair and absolutely debatable, but still besides my point I have no power draw issue anyway, since I use eGPU. in my case, it’s more about understanding potential performance gains… Thanks, anyway! I agree, that power draw was a big topic and I am aware of the separate topics on this year and even commented there.

 

[GumaRodak]

Ok, understood. Check that forum and builds specificaly, ppls who post the working builds including performance tests. I did personaly used AMD 5600 XT and was working nice in both osx and bootcamp and gaming on internal monitor.