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Apple's M4 Max chip is the fastest single-core performer in consumer computing

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Re: Apple's M4 Max chip is the fastest single-core performer in consumer computing

#311
post #154

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Apple has gotten into Windows and PC territory with their naming for chips and models. Kind of funny to see the evolution of a compact product line and naming convention slowly turn into spreadsheet worthy comparison charts. That all said, I only have an M1 and it's still impressive to me.

I think they're still keeping it somewhat together, agree it got ever more confusing with the introduction of more performance tiers but after 3 generations it's been easy to keep track of: Mx (base) -> Pro -> Max -> Ultra. Think it's still quite far away from naming conventions of PC territory. Now I got curious on what naming scheme could be clearer for Apple's performance tiers.

Max implies it's the top. There shouldn't be anything above max

Re: Apple's M4 Max chip is the fastest single-core performer in consumer computing

#312
post #53

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Hey, I can have my Intel MBP on my lap without burning my legs (or making me feel nauseated). As long as I don't open Chrome, Safari, Apple Notes, or really any other app...

Sometimes even not opening any apps is not enough if Spotlight decides that now is the time to update its index or something similar. Honestly nuts looking back at it.

I remember when macOS switched to evented way of handling input and for some reason decided that dropping keyboard events is okay...anyway if spotlight was updating its index, then unlocking your laptop with a password was impossible.

Re: Apple's M4 Max chip is the fastest single-core performer in consumer computing

#313

What's crazy is that the M4 Pro is in the Mac mini, something so tiny can handle that chip. The Mac Studio with the M4 Max will be awesome but the Mini is remarkable.

Indeed, the $1599 M4 Pro Mac mini beats the current $3999 M2 Ultra Mac Studio on GeekBench 6 multi-core: https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/31/m4-pro-chip-benchmark-r...

I've been thinking about getting a Mac mini as a small server box due to how powerful it is.

Re: Apple's M4 Max chip is the fastest single-core performer in consumer computing

#314

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Do you have any source on this?

It might be different post-Intel? I'm too lazy to dig up sources for Apple's past lost class action lawsuits, etc. That Rossman guy, the internet-famous repairman, built his youtube channel on videos about Apple's inadequate thermal management. They're probably still archived on his channel. Hell, I haven't owned a Mac post the year 2000 that didn't regularly hit temperatures above 90 celsius.

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Re: Apple's M4 Max chip is the fastest single-core performer in consumer computing

#315

Am I missing something? I don't know where this informations came from, but you can check out GeekBench v6 single-core benchmarks here. https://browser.geekbench.com/v6/cpu/singlecore

"Do not trust any benchmarks you did not fake yourself"

Re: Apple's M4 Max chip is the fastest single-core performer in consumer computing

#316
post #202

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I'm not sure why you think it would be worse than a MacBook Air which literally has no fan

Are the new MacBook Airs the ones that have throttling issues due to heat?

Hopefully not? I honestly don't know. It's been around three years (whichever year it was they replaced Target Disk Mode) since I followed Apple news very closely.

Re: Apple's M4 Max chip is the fastest single-core performer in consumer computing

#317

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I do wonder if PC desktops will eventually move to a similar design. I have a 7800x3d on my desktop, and the thing is a beast but between it and the 3090 I basically have a space heater in my room

It would be nice. Similarly have a 5950X/3080Ti tower and it’s a great machine, but if it were an option for it to be as small and low-noise as the new Mini (or even the previous mini or Studio), I’d happily take it.

For what it is worth, I'm running that with open loop water cooling. If your chassis has the space for it, my rig won't even need to turn on fans for large amounts of the day. (Loop was sized for a threadripper, which were not really around for home builders) Size is an issue, however :)

Re: Apple's M4 Max chip is the fastest single-core performer in consumer computing

#318

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As demonstrated by the M1-M3 series of chips, essentially all of that lead was due to being the first chips on a smaller process, rather than to anything inherent to the chip design. Indeed, the Mx series of chips tend to be on the slower side of chips for their process sizes.

Show your work. Most people who say things like this tend to deeply misunderstand TDP and end up making really weird comparisons. Like high wattage desktop towers compared to fan-less MacBook Airs. The process lead Apple tends to enjoy no doubt plays a huge role in their success. But you could also turn around and say that’s the only reason AMD has gained so much ground against Intel. Spoiler: it’s not. Process node…

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Re: Apple's M4 Max chip is the fastest single-core performer in consumer computing

#319

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You’re not the only one — but just curious where this skepticism comes from. This is M 4 — Apple has now made four generations of chips and each one were class leading upon release. What more do you need to see?

> Apple has now made four generations of chips and each one were class leading upon release. Buying up most of TSMC's latest node capacity certainly helps. Zen chips on the same node turn out to be very competitive, butAMD don't get first dibs.

I disagree with the wording "AMD don't get first dibs". It's more like "AMD won't pay for first dibs"

Re: Apple's M4 Max chip is the fastest single-core performer in consumer computing

#320

Am I missing something? I don't know where this informations came from, but you can check out GeekBench v6 single-core benchmarks here. https://browser.geekbench.com/v6/cpu/singlecore

The better chart is https://browser.geekbench.com/processor-benchmarks/ which tries to discount outliers that might be liquid nitrogen cooled and/or faked
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