Apple

Out of context: Reply #3361

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  • kingsteven0

    @nb my 64GB M1 idling is using ~28GB. These processors are great at memory management so with 8GB i wouldn't see much difference in speed over a 16GB if only doing basic stuff and using one application at a time...

    What's worth keeping in mind that code that's written specifically for dedicated graphics hardware on PC and ported to mac will assume 8GB min. Current AI recommends 11GB+ graphics memory, the memory usage by the OS means you'll struggle to run that without some speed penalisation even on a 16GB M1, for games and realtime graphics this would mean a substantial drop in FPS.

    The problem with using the above argument to say 'more memory is always better' is that dedicated graphics hardware is so much quicker than the M1 you're already at a massive disadvantage (the same stable diffusion image will take 45 seconds on my M1 vs 5 seconds vs a 3090, or 60FPS vs >200FPS on games) so the speed penalisation due to memory management is the least of your worries.

    Rule of thumb is that one generation in processor will never equal doubling memory...

    M1 16GB / 256 = maybe 25% increase in speed for graphics processing, AI, music over the M1 8GB

    M2 8GB / 256 = maybe 25% increase in speed for browsing and word processing (particularly non-memory intensive applications) over M1 8GB, but slower than the M1 16GB for for graphics processing, music

    M1 8GB / 512 = 256GB is going to be a pain in the ass - I have over 400GB of sound libraries on my M1 :s on that basis alone I would go for the one with 512GB!

    Apple's base models are really just for show, it's always gonna be a compromise.

    • wtf is 'Google Chrome Helper' and why is it eating nearly a Gb?Nairn
    • This is really helpful, thank you!!nb
    • I do only use one app at a time, and I don’t care about word processing or email. I have an iPad for that. It’s primarily Lightroom and Logic on this machinenb
    • @Nairn I got 64GB to avoid asking those questions :D check this out: https://i.imgur.com/…kingsteven
    • I think you'll be grand with whatever but 16GB would be more 'future-proof' - AI will definitely creep in to Logic and Lightroom in the coming yearskingsteven
    • Oh wow, I never thought a suped-up PC with a $1,000+ DEDICATED GPU could ever beat an entry level Mac costing 3-4x less. Mind fucking blown.monospaced
    • I mean, who would think that a PC that draws 10-30x the power consumption of a tiny, fanless laptop could possible be faster at gaming? Wow, Apple is FUCKED.monospaced
    • Seriously, since when are we comparing Apple's base model consumer laptops to 3D oriented workstations and then say it's a compromise? Weird.monospaced
    • Apple. Not even once.Wordsworth
    • If you want to compare, compare the Mac Pro to the PC, not the 8GB M1 laptops.monospaced
    • lol mono. wtf are you on about? you don't buy a Mac laptop for speed, you buy it because it does everything you need it to do.kingsteven
    • the comparison is to debunk the argument that more memory or more speed matters in a discussion about a base level macbook...kingsteven
    • the typical 'PC user' argument being that I could get a PC with two 3090s for the price of my MBP - entirely missing the advantages of the architecturekingsteven
    • an 8GB M1 or M2 is a good machine but it's comparable to an iPad. nb obviously needs enough memory and enough storage for pro apps + a bit of wigglekingsteven
    • if I don't buy a Mac laptop for speed, why are you talking about how it's trounced by a 3090 for gaming and stable diffusion?monospaced
    • you're the one talking about how it's compromise to buy an M2, not me dude, so wtf are you on about? :)monospaced
    • I mean, you literally said it's a disadvantage to have an M1, so that's really my questionmonospaced
    • I own zero Apply products (but thank everyone as I do own their stock), but I come here to enjoy Mono's comments. Good stuff! :-Dformed
    • Google Chrome Helper is the bloatware that google builds which destroys your battery life and is wildly inefficientnb
    • No one should ever use chrome on a Mac laptop but they do!nb
    • it's not a hog on the M1 at all, one of the many advantages of the architecture.kingsteven
    • mono, you seem to think i'm making a far less nuanced point than i am. memory intensive applications will take a performance hit due to swappingkingsteven
    • for example, Chrome is only using 500MB real memory and very little CPU. Stable Diffusion or any image processing or rendering uses as much as it cankingsteven
    • for as long as it needs... lol, i'm cooking dinner here ffs 1 sec.kingsteven
    • "if I don't buy a Mac laptop for speed, why are you talking about how it's trounced by a 3090 for gaming and stable diffusion"kingsteven
    • to make the point that you don't buy a mac for speed lol. it is smart to have enough physical memory to run things that have minimum memory requirementskingsteven
    • and a lot of things require > 8GB physical memory. not just games and SD.kingsteven

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