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Would you say the 5500m 8gb is more important or the cpu?

E

esaelias187

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 25, 2017
232
132
so I was thinking of getting the MacBook pro 16 inch for like 4 years

would you improve the 5500m 4gb to 8gb

or would you improve the cpu

I mean I wont be crazy gaming but will be running skyrim
 
I'm not sure, I'm torn between a base model 5300M for 2050 Euros... To get the 8GB 5500M I have to custom order from Apple and that would cost 3k lol.

I'd say go for the 8GB than the i9 unless you use the CPU a lot. For me the i7 is more than enough for virtualisation.. Since I only use 2 Cores per VM
 
Definitely the GPU. The CPU hardly makes a difference in the majority of cases, and i6 is very close to i9 in performance.
 
esaelias187 said:
would you improve the 5500m 4gb to 8gb

or would you improve the cpu
Click to expand...
It all depends on your workflow, if your tasks don't require a powerful GPU, then it may make sense to update another component, such as ram, storage or cpu. I almost never opt for a GPU upgrade when configuring my laptops, and so far I've never regretted it ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

One size doesn't fit all, and for my needs, its not important.
 
esaelias187 said:
I mean I wont be crazy gaming but will be running skyrim
Click to expand...

I don't think you'll be running Skyrim for 4 years?! :D

I'd put more in the RAM. For "older" games the base GPU is perfectly fine! Even modern games at not that low settings per Youtubers. You can always use an external drive for a Steam Library folder or even Bootcamp. CPU is just fine for almost anything as well.

So that leaves RAM as the only thing that'd possible help you. If at this point you don't know if you need more or not - you don't. But if you want to future proof something, this would be it.

Really, if you don't KNOW for certain that you need an upgrade, you probably don't.
 
What specific CPU upgrade are we talking about?

Is the comparison:

i7 + 8GB 5500

vs.

2.3 i9 + 4GB 5500?

Instead of telling OP to get a better SSD or RAM, I'd stick to the question that was asked - for all we know he already is doing more RAM and a bigger SSD - his question is about CPU/GPU and doesn't appear to be soliciting other advice.
 
Nacho98 said:
What specific CPU upgrade are we talking about?

Is the comparison:

i7 + 8GB 5500

vs.

2.3 i9 + 4GB 5500?

Instead of telling OP to get a better SSD or RAM, I'd stick to the question that was asked - for all we know he already is doing more RAM and a bigger SSD - his question is about CPU/GPU and doesn't appear to be soliciting other advice.
Click to expand...

hi yes sorry

initially I placed an order for the i9 but had the 4g 5500

now I placed the order for the i7 plus 8gb 5500

I did put the 32 gb ram but left the ssd as I use a lot of icloud and never save anything on the desktop anyway
 
Sounds like you have the spec I just ordered - i7/32/512/8GB 5500 - I think this is a really nice, balanced, reasonably priced configuration that should run cool and quiet with good battery life and longevity.
 
Nacho98 said:
Sounds like you have the spec I just ordered - i7/32/512/8GB 5500 - I think this is a really nice, balanced, reasonably priced configuration that should run cool and quiet with good battery life and longevity.
Click to expand...

yup hopefully last at least 4 years, I have always thought the i9 wasn't worth it that much
 
MrGunnyPT said:
I'm not sure, I'm torn between a base model 5300M for 2050 Euros... To get the 8GB 5500M I have to custom order from Apple and that would cost 3k lol.

I'd say go for the 8GB than the i9 unless you use the CPU a lot. For me the i7 is more than enough for virtualisation.. Since I only use 2 Cores per VM
Click to expand...

Wait wait wait. Where can I get a base model for 2050 Euros ?!??! Best I can do is €2430 and that is after education discount?!?!?
 
Video editing, yes, else neither are going to make a big difference. Maybe 8GB in gaming far in the far future, but I don't think the thing will be able to push that many textures anyway. You would be better off with 1TB SSD or 32GB ram.
 
I wonder if the GPU choice (chip and RAM size) makes any difference running a 6K (along with another) monitor.
 
MrGunnyPT said:
I'm not sure, I'm torn between a base model 5300M for 2050 Euros... To get the 8GB 5500M I have to custom order from Apple and that would cost 3k lol.

I'd say go for the 8GB than the i9 unless you use the CPU a lot. For me the i7 is more than enough for virtualisation.. Since I only use 2 Cores per VM
Click to expand...
Where in the EU you are seeing 2050 euros?
 
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