What CPU and GPU for software development

[Flepal]

Hi,

I use my current MBP for software development. Currently it is mostly developing web services using IntelliJ and running several docker containers or VMs.

I'm planning on upgrading my 2015 MBP 15" to 2018 15" with 32GB of RAM, 1TB SSD. I'm not going to go for the i9 as I don't feel it is worth it. I'm split between the 2.2 and the 2.6. Benchmarks show they are quite close performing, but I'm not sure which one I should go for in my use case.

555X and 560X is only a small price difference, but not sure if it is worth upgrading.

Appreciate your input or advice

 

[leman]

Why do you even care about the GPU if you are developing web services? And where did you find benchmarks for your particular workflows? All I've seen so far are applications of video editing...

 

[maflynn]

The base model, is more then up to the task. Why spend money on a configuration that would be considered over-kill.

 

[pubmsu]

Hi,

I use my current MBP for software development. Currently it is mostly developing web services using IntelliJ and running several docker containers or VMs.

I'm planning on upgrading my 2015 MBP 15" to 2018 15" with 32GB of RAM, 1TB SSD. I'm not going to go for the i9 as I don't feel it is worth it. I'm split between the 2.2 and the 2.6. Benchmarks show they are quite close performing, but I'm not sure which one I should go for in my use case.

555X and 560X is only a small price difference, but not sure if it is worth upgrading.

Appreciate your input or advice

I am a solution architect and work on Java platform and other technologies. I would suggest minimize all other specs but go for 32GB RAM if your budget permits.

If your budget doesn't permit that, 16GB still is fine. My team members with same use cases don't reach the red level in Memory Pressure graph of Activity Monitor (running Minikube for the containers). If you're not reaching the red level frequently with 16GB RAM, then 32GB is not necessary, particularly for these superfast SSD-based swaps.

 

[Flepal]

Why do you even care about the GPU if you are developing web services? And where did you find benchmarks for your particular workflows? All I've seen so far are applications of video editing...

You're right, I don't depend on it directly for my work. My intention was for guidance on whether it is worth upgrading it, or is it more than good enough if I'm not doing any media creation. Just don't want to spend a load of money and be held back unexpectedly.

I've not found any benchmarks for software development, which is why I'm posting here. All the benchmarks seem to be Cinebench, Geekbench, media encoding, etc.

 

[pubmsu]

I've not found any benchmarks for software development, which is why I'm posting here. All the benchmarks seem to be Cinebench, Geekbench, media encoding, etc.

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/201...o-review-better-faster-stronger-throttle-ier/

The one I saw was in this review - they compared Xcode build of WordPress iOS app.

 

[Flepal]

I am a solution architect and work on Java platform and other technologies. I would suggest minimize all other specs but go for 32GB RAM if your budget permits.

If your budget doesn't permit that, 16GB still is fine. My team members with same use cases don't reach the red level in Memory Pressure graph of Activity Monitor (running Minikube for the containers). If you're not reaching the red level frequently with 16GB RAM, then 32GB is not necessary, particularly for these superfast SSD-based swaps.

Thanks for sharing what you are your team use.

Just to be clear, are your team members using 16GB or 32GB and using the 2.2GHz CPU? Looking at my graph, it doesn't ever go red, so I suppose I can stick with 16GB.

What size drives do you and your team use?
[doublepost=1533043480][/doublepost]

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/201...o-review-better-faster-stronger-throttle-ier/

The one I saw was in this review - they compared Xcode build of WordPress iOS app.

Ah thank you, I managed to miss that on my first time read!

 

[pubmsu]

are your team members using 16GB or 32GB and using the 2.2GHz CPU?

Yes 16GB and 2015 15-inch 2.2 GHz with 256GB storage.

Also take into consideration that you can get more than 6.5 yrs of 200GB iCloud drive space that does seamless extension of your local storage by moving least recently used files off to cloud, with the same amount of money as the upgrade price from 256GB to 512GB.

I personally would go for 256GB and save the money there for 32GB RAM (if such combinations are available). Once you'll need extra space, you can anyway use USB-C fast external SSDs like Samsung ones.