Should I upgrade to the 8-core MacBook Pro?

[Hieveryone]

I have several real-time data intensive charts, several live video feeds, as well as several live real-time data feeds all going at once 10-14 hours per day. I also sometimes have regular tasks running as well such as web browsing with many tabs, etc.

I'm now thinking I made a mistake of buying the base model 2019 15"

I'm thinking I should have gotten 8-core, 32GB RAM, and 256GB SSD with 555x graphics

 

[ruslan120]

What does activity monitor show? CPU usage? RAM usage?

If you’re within your return window it might be worth it. If not, it might not be worth the cost (depending on your fiscal situation).

(That’s my $0.02)

 

[ZircoBen]

How is the base model performing? Can it handle everything? Check the Activity monitor, but honestly even the base model 15" MacBook Pro isn't a slouch.

 

[Hieveryone]

Thanks to both of you!

What should I specifically look for in the activity? Like what % of CPU usage and RAM is acceptable?

And are there other things I need to look for in activity monitor?

@ZircoBen @ruslan120

 

[ruslan120]

Thanks to both of you!

What should I specifically look for in the activity? Like what % of CPU usage and RAM is acceptable?

And are there other things I need to look for in activity monitor?

@ZircoBen @ruslan120

You’re welcome!

Yup!

CPU: First tab it opens to. While everything is running check “% User” vs. “% Idle.” Hit CMD+3 to see a graph of CPU Usage (and expand the window to see all cores - does it show mostly empty, or full graphs?)

You can also download Intel Power Gadget for Mac and check temperatures and whether the CPU is scaling up often or not (GHz).

RAM: In Activity Monitor, “Memory.”
Look at the graph under “Memory Pressure.” If it’s red, you need more RAM.

 

[leman]

For the tasks you describe your should probably use a dedicated desktop station.

And while you are at it, may I gently suggest that you register on some other forum? You’ve been asking variations of this exact question here every week for last two years or so. We can’t help you.

 

[The Mercurian]

I actually agree with leman's recommendation for a dedicated desktop. If its working 10-14 hours a day that means its not really mobile and that is a lot of load to put on a laptop that can easily overheat. It might not be great for the longevity of the machine. I occasionally do heavy runs of processing that might take a few days, but if I were doing so all the time I would not do it on my MBP.

 

[ericwn]

Thanks to both of you!

What should I specifically look for in the activity? Like what % of CPU usage and RAM is acceptable?

And are there other things I need to look for in activity monitor?

@ZircoBen @ruslan120

Some basics here in case they are needed:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201464

You should be the person comfortable with your own tools. You need to be able to look at activity monitor and make a determination on the load of the machine.

If it’s indeed too much the idea of a dedicated work desktop makes sense.

 

[MrGunnyPT]

Thanks to both of you!

What should I specifically look for in the activity? Like what % of CPU usage and RAM is acceptable?

And are there other things I need to look for in activity monitor?

@ZircoBen @ruslan120

You should look for two things

a) CPU usage ands %

b) Memory swap and pressure

If these 2 are fine then you shouldn't have any issues.

 

[x-evil-x]

do you have 16 gig also? Might want to debate on upgrading the ram before spending more on the 8core.
Still within your return window? IF you are then id consider going either 8 core or 32 gig ram. 8 core comes with 512 mem for a little bit more than the 6 core with 500 gig memory. Its a no brainer to of gotten the 8 core if you where going to get the 500 gig hard drive already.

 

[Hieveryone]

Hello everyone, here is an update.

I was able to check my activity monitor and it said 70% Idle and 14 GB Memory Used.

So given all my tasks it seems like it is not stressing the device, even though the fan runs ALL DAY and my notebook stays hot to the touch all day as well.

 

[smirking]

I actually agree with leman's recommendation for a dedicated desktop.

I second this. Buy the biggest heaviest desktop possible and then get some straps to carry it on your back. Presto! Instant mobile computer. It's not a laptop, but it'll blow the doors off any puny clamshell.

This advice only applies to the OP.

 

[jerryk]

Hello everyone, here is an update.

I was able to check my activity monitor and it said 70% Idle and 14 GB Memory Used.

So given all my tasks it seems like it is not stressing the device, even though the fan runs ALL DAY and my notebook stays hot to the touch all day as well.

If the fans run during a task then they are doing their job. On a 15" MBP the fans are running all the time at 2000 RPM or so, which is close to silent. But they should ramp up pretty when you put a load on the system. The idea is to cool things down before they get too hot. And cooling down via the fans prevents (or defers) having to cool down by throttling back the clock which impacts performance. So you system is running as designed. And since the system uses the Aluminum to dissipate heat, so the case is going to get warm.

BTW, memory use is just one part of the equation. You need to check Memory Pressure to see if you need additional memory. The system will give memory to processes freely when there is a lot of free memory. Memory Pressure shows when there is not a lot of unallocated memory and the system is starting to have to take memory from process A and give to Process B even though Process A is actively using the memory.

 

[Hieveryone]

So I'm guessing despite my usage based on activity data I am ok?

Again it said 70% Idle and 14 GB Memory Used and the memory graph was green

Of course the fans run alllll day but as others have mentioned this is normal.

Or do y'all think I still should use a desktop?

 

[jerryk]

So I'm guessing despite my usage based on activity data I am ok?

Again it said 70% Idle and 14 GB Memory Used and the memory graph was green

Of course the fans run alllll day but as others have mentioned this is normal.

Or do y'all think I still should use a desktop?

Are you running external monitors to display some of these feeds/data?

 

[Hieveryone]

Are you running external monitors to display some of these feeds/data?

No I'm just using multiple virtual desktops

 

[Zdigital2015]

Are multiple screens a practical solution for you? Meaning, can you hook up a couple of external displays? Or are you always on the move/go?

I wonder if a simple rearrangement of desktops and allocating to an external display would be helpful. I also wonder if an external GPU would help as well, but I don’t honestly know the performance penalties, if any, to using multiple VDIs and how they flow in and out of DRAM, VRAM and storage/VM as you move between them. Perhaps someone better versed can offer some insight.

 

[Hieveryone]

Are multiple screens a practical solution for you? Meaning, can you hook up a couple of external displays? Or are you always on the move/go?

I wonder if a simple rearrangement of desktops and allocating to an external display would be helpful. I also wonder if an external GPU would help as well, but I don’t honestly know the performance penalties, if any, to using multiple VDIs and how they flow in and out of DRAM, VRAM and storage/VM as you move between them. Perhaps someone better versed can offer some insight.

I'm always on the go. Having an external monitor has become more impractical for me now more than ever before.

I've actually been thinking about just having 2 computers and having my 6-core run all these tasks while using my other one for other tasks like email, looking information up, data reference, news, MacRumors...haha

 

[Zdigital2015]

I'm always on the go. Having an external monitor has become more impractical for me now more than ever before.

I've actually been thinking about just having 2 computers and having my 6-core run all these tasks while using my other one for other tasks like email, looking information up, data reference, news, MacRumors...haha

Well, that would probably be my recommendation. If you’re always on the go, a secondary machine would be fairly cost effective versus trying to sell your current rig and losing money on it and then trying to make up the differential. You can check what your MBP is going for used (obviously, it can vary) and then subtract that amount from the 8-core you want and see if it might be more cost effective to pick up something like a 2-port 13” MacBook Pro, especially since they seem to go one sale fairly regularly, despite being new. It’s light, got a nice screen, highly portable. Obviously, I cannot presume to speak to your personal budget, but I can’t see you need more than the 1.4GHz Core i5/8GB/256GB, maybe with the exception of going to 16GB of DRAM. Just a thought...good luck.