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Would I better off getting a igpu instead of the dgpu on the 15 inch MBP if I dont game?

D

dk808

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
May 13, 2015
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The only programs I use are Ableton Live 9 for music production and i dont feel like it would require a good graphics card to run well but Im not too sure.

I also dont really game since there arent many games on mac anyways and I dont want to bother bootcamping Windows.

The thing is the dgpu only costs about $100 extra so if there is an all around improvement in performance Id be willing to get it. The downside is I heard it causes the laptop to run hotter and uses more battery
 
dk808 said:
The only programs I use are Ableton Live 9 for music production and i dont feel like it would require a good graphics card to run well but Im not too sure.

I also dont really game since there arent many games on mac anyways and I dont want to bother bootcamping Windows.

The thing is the dgpu only costs about $100 extra so if there is an all around improvement in performance Id be willing to get it. The downside is I heard it causes the laptop to run hotter and uses more battery
Click to expand...

It'll be more than $100 with the dGPU, as you can't BTO the base rMBP 15" to just add a dGPU. The tier with the dGPU also comes with a better CPU and double the storage. Unless you're looking elsewhere than on the Apple Store? Can you post the links to what you're looking to get?

Either way, it's a damn fine workhorse and it will easily handle what you'll need to do. I'd always suggest get the best specs you can afford, because nothing's upgradable once you've bought it.

If you can afford to hold off, I'd suggest waiting a couple of months until the rumoured MacBook Pro refresh. Then you can pick up a refurb/old stock 15" rMBP for much cheaper. Otherwise, get whatever suits your budget.
 
dk808 said:
The only programs I use are Ableton Live 9 for music production and i dont feel like it would require a good graphics card to run well but Im not too sure.

I also dont really game since there arent many games on mac anyways and I dont want to bother bootcamping Windows.

The thing is the dgpu only costs about $100 extra so if there is an all around improvement in performance Id be willing to get it. The downside is I heard it causes the laptop to run hotter and uses more battery
Click to expand...

It'll make no difference to you but to be honest it won't make much difference to you if do have it either.

So unless you use external screens as then it'll always be in use on an external screen, I'd suggest you forgo it.
 
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dk808 said:
The thing is the dgpu only costs about $100 extra so if there is an all around improvement in performance Id be willing to get it. The downside is I heard it causes the laptop to run hotter and uses more battery
Click to expand...
iGPU MBP: $1,999 which includes 2.2GHz Processor 256 GB storag
dGPU MBP: $2,499 2.5GHz Processor 512 GB

So for 500 dollars more (not 100), you get a faster CPU, more storage, and the iGPU/dGPU.

Yes, running off the dGPU will increase the heat, and battery drain.

You never mentioned what apps you'll be running (other then not gaming). The apps that you use may (or may not) take advantage of the dGPU.
 
maflynn said:
iGPU MBP: $1,999 which includes 2.2GHz Processor 256 GB storag
dGPU MBP: $2,499 2.5GHz Processor 512 GB

So for 500 dollars more (not 100), you get a faster CPU, more storage, and the iGPU/dGPU.

Yes, running off the dGPU will increase the heat, and battery drain.

You never mentioned what apps you'll be running (other then not gaming). The apps that you use may (or may not) take advantage of the dGPU.
Click to expand...

However the iGPU version with an upgrade to the 2.5ghz CPU and a 512gb SSD is $2399. Making the cost for a dGPU of $100.

The OP did say mostly ableton live 9 as the apps used but I'm pretty sure they use it for more than that.
 
keysofanxiety said:
It'll be more than $100 with the dGPU, as you can't BTO the base rMBP 15" to just add a dGPU. The tier with the dGPU also comes with a better CPU and double the storage. Unless you're looking elsewhere than on the Apple Store? Can you post the links to what you're looking to get?

Either way, it's a damn fine workhorse and it will easily handle what you'll need to do. I'd always suggest get the best specs you can afford, because nothing's upgradable once you've bought it.

If you can afford to hold off, I'd suggest waiting a couple of months until the rumoured MacBook Pro refresh. Then you can pick up a refurb/old stock 15" rMBP for much cheaper. Otherwise, get whatever suits your budget.
Click to expand...
2.2 ghz i7 with 16 gb ram and 512 gb ssd +iris pro is $2169 with an education discount
2.5 ghz i7 with amd gpu and 15 ram+512 ssd is $2299
 
dk808 said:
2.2 ghz i7 with 16 gb ram and 512 gb ssd +iris pro is $2169 with an education discount
2.5 ghz i7 with amd gpu and 15 ram+512 ssd is $2299
Click to expand...

I'd definitely go for the dGPU option, then! Battery life will be identical as it auto switches as and when it needs to.
 
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maflynn said:
iGPU MBP: $1,999 which includes 2.2GHz Processor 256 GB storag
dGPU MBP: $2,499 2.5GHz Processor 512 GB

So for 500 dollars more (not 100), you get a faster CPU, more storage, and the iGPU/dGPU.

Yes, running off the dGPU will increase the heat, and battery drain.

You never mentioned what apps you'll be running (other then not gaming). The apps that you use may (or may not) take advantage of the dGPU.
Click to expand...
Ableton live 9, spotify, chrome/safari, etc. Maybe a steam game like CS GO or TF2 but those arent that important to me

Also read my above post for the pricing
[doublepost=1473336567][/doublepost]
keysofanxiety said:
I'd definitely go for the dGPU option, then! Battery life will be identical as it auto switches as and when it needs to.
Click to expand...
Thank you
Is there a big difference between 2.2 ghz and 2.5 ghz though?
[doublepost=1473336646][/doublepost]
Samuelsan2001 said:
It'll make no difference to you but to be honest it won't make much difference to you if do have it either.

So unless you use external screens as then it'll always be in use on an external screen, I'd suggest you forgo it.
Click to expand...
Yea Im still kinda on the fence. I mean I guess it cant hurt to have the dgpu but i'll have to keep thinking about it
 
dk808 said:
Ableton live 9, spotify, chrome/safari, etc. Maybe a steam game like CS GO or TF2 but those arent that important to me

Also read my above post for the pricing
[doublepost=1473336567][/doublepost]
Thank you
Is there a big difference between 2.2 ghz and 2.5 ghz though?
[doublepost=1473336646][/doublepost]
Yea Im still kinda on the fence. I mean I guess it cant hurt to have the dgpu but i'll have to keep thinking about it
Click to expand...

On the fence?! You get a better CPU as well, for $100.

2.2GHz is the i7-4770HQ
2.5GHz is the i7-4870HQ

Only about 5% difference (depending on what benchmarks you're looking at), but coupled with the dGPU, it's more than worth an extra $100. dGPU will also help with resource intensive tasks if the app's supported with OpenGL/Metal.

I'd say go for the base one if you're paying RRP. But if it's $100 difference with your discount, it's a no brainer. Go for the higher spec one.
 
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keysofanxiety said:
On the fence?! You get a better CPU as well, for $100.

2.2GHz is the i7-4770HQ
2.5GHz is the i7-4870HQ

Only about 5% difference (depending on what benchmarks you're looking at), but coupled with the dGPU, it's more than worth an extra $100. dGPU will also help with resource intensive tasks if the app's supported with OpenGL/Metal.

I'd say go for the base one if you're paying RRP. But if it's $100 difference with your discount, it's a no brainer. Go for the higher spec one.
Click to expand...
I'm just worried I will have issues with the dgpu heating up or draining battery when I don't really plan to use it. I want this laptop to last a long time, I'm currently on 2010 MacBook Pro and I hate how slow it's gotten
 
dk808 said:
I'm just worried I will have issues with the dgpu heating up or draining battery when I don't really plan to use it. I want this laptop to last a long time, I'm currently on 2010 MacBook Pro and I hate how slow it's gotten
Click to expand...

Have you upgraded the RAM to 8GB on your 2010 MBP and swapped the HDD for an SSD?
 
dk808 said:
I upgraded the ram but not the ssd. I was planning on it but kept putting it off
Click to expand...

I'd go for the SSD then. Financially that would be much better than ponying up for a new machine. HDD is likely failing from age alone. Plus the newer OS iterations run so poorly on a spinning drive.

It'll run better than new with an SSD.
 
dk808 said:
I'm just worried I will have issues with the dgpu heating up or draining battery when I don't really plan to use it. I want this laptop to last a long time, I'm currently on 2010 MacBook Pro and I hate how slow it's gotten
Click to expand...

An SSD will make it better than new, but that's money into an old machine.

You may be better off waiting for the next MBP which will hopefully be out before Christmas.
 
Samuelsan2001 said:
You may be better off waiting for the next MBP which will hopefully be out before Christmas.
Click to expand...

Christmas which year? Just kidding, sort of.

So far I remember hear that the new rMBPs with Skylake would be Fall 2015 (for sure), Mar 2016, May 2016, and now Oct 2016. But KabyLake is due to ship soon, with laptop parts in Spring 2017. Microsoft put off updating their Surface units until spring 2017 waiting for them. Maybe Apple will do the same with the rMBP.
 
I went for a 2015 rMBP 15 with dGPU to drive external monitors. They had some pretty good discounts on Amazon so I got mine new for around $2250, which was $100 more than a refurb from Apple.
 
jerryk said:
Christmas which year? Just kidding, sort of.

So far I remember hear that the new rMBPs with Skylake would be Fall 2015 (for sure), Mar 2016, May 2016, and now Oct 2016. But KabyLake is due to ship soon, with laptop parts in Spring 2017. Microsoft put off updating their Surface units until spring 2017 waiting for them. Maybe Apple will do the same with the rMBP.
Click to expand...

They just can't wait now, it wouldn' bother me but patience is in short supply it seems.
 
maflynn said:
iGPU MBP: $1,999 which includes 2.2GHz Processor 256 GB storag
dGPU MBP: $2,499 2.5GHz Processor 512 GB

So for 500 dollars more (not 100), you get a faster CPU, more storage, and the iGPU/dGPU.

Yes, running off the dGPU will increase the heat, and battery drain.

You never mentioned what apps you'll be running (other then not gaming). The apps that you use may (or may not) take advantage of the dGPU.
Click to expand...

OP, this is how you have to look at it, although with the (potential) redesign the pricing and options could change. The $500 jump bumps you up to a better CPU, SSD, and adds a GPU. IMO, if you don't need the dGPU you probably wouldn't care about the minimal jump in CPU (both are i7). If storage becomes an issue, you can always upgrade later from OWC or add an external.
 
Samuelsan2001 said:
They just can't wait now, it wouldn' bother me but patience is in short supply it seems.
Click to expand...

I am one of the people who tried to wait out Apple. I put off buying since last Xmas. Then in March it was "any day now", then in May "any day now". Finally I just bought the 2015 rMBP 15, at discount, in June. I am happy with the decision.

If they come out with a new unit with a lot of changes to the internals I will wait to see how it shakes out. I do not want to deal with issues like 2012 rMBP owners.
[doublepost=1473430636][/doublepost]
inhalexhale1 said:
OP, this is how you have to look at it, although with the (potential) redesign the pricing and options could change. The $500 jump bumps you up to a better CPU, SSD, and adds a GPU. IMO, if you don't need the dGPU you probably wouldn't care about the minimal jump in CPU (both are i7). If storage becomes an issue, you can always upgrade later from OWC or add an external.
Click to expand...

I am pretty sure you cannot do a 3rd party storage upgrade of a 2015 rMBP. And even the earlier rMBPs see slower disk speeds with the OWC upgrade.

The 2015 rMBP has blazing fast SSDs (1.5 GB/sec) versus the fast SSDs (500 MB/sec).
 
It's $100 dollars for the dGPU as OP said

iGPU MBP: $1,999 2.2GHz 256 GB
iGPU MBP: $2,399 2.5Ghz 512GB
dGPU MBP: $2,499 2.5GHz 512 GB

I've had a 2012 rMBP with a deidcated GPU for 4 years again and for my next MBP, I'm going with a configuration like the bolded one. I don't game anymore and the current/next gen iGPU is going to be similar performance to the current dedicated GPU in the macbook pro. I absolutely hate the momentary stutter when it switches from the iGPU to dGPU and extra heat it puts out. It's so bad sometimes that apps crash during the transition.

Really, people underestimate the Iris Pro versus a M370X. They're almost 80% comparable in performance.

Heck, just look at the Iris Pro GT4e pull more flops than a M370X in the current macbook pro. If the current dedicated gpu is fast enough for you, then get the iGPU in the next MBP. :)


Capture.png
 
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I've had both and find the iGPU the better experience.

Right now I have the dGPU version and the heat/battery life discrepancy (even with gfxcardstatus) is eye opening!

I'm hoping we get 580 in the new rMBP.
 
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