2.6/512/460 or 2.7/512/455?

[zduhac]

Ok. I am deciding between these two configurations and I am stuck.

I am a somewhat heavy Photoshop/Illustrator/InDesign and I've just started learning programming, which I hope will be something I'm gonna do in the future. I barely do any video editing, and I do not see myself doing it in the future (maybe 2-3 videos from a GoPro a year).

I've used 2011 MBA for the past 5 years, and have waited almost 2 years for the Skylake update. Deciding to switch to 15" was the first tough choice I've faced. I do really love MBA portability, but I really don't take it out that much, and I don't have a place in the apartment for a second monitor. Plus I do believe quad-core, dGPU and additional screen real estate is the way to go.

So, what makes more sense, .1Mhz increase with 33% more L2 cache or the additional 2GB VRAM that the 460 offers? One other concern are the glitches that mostly users with 460 are experiencing. I am even considering dropping the 460 and going with the 450 to save around $200.

Any advice/opinion is much appreciated.

 

[borgusio]

For your use it sounds like higher cache would be more important than the gpu

 

[vipergts2207]

I personally couldn't turn down doubling the VRAM, and the 460 is quite a bit faster than the 455 as well.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

The difference in CPU is negligible at most, the difference in dGPU is quite large....

 

[maratus]

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/2-6-ghz-vs-2-9ghz.2018821/#post-24004754

 

[koyoot]

Bigger difference in plus you will see with Radeon Pro 460 than with 2.7 GHz CPU.

As I have said many times before: sweet spot for performance: 2.6 GHz/16 GB/512 GB SSD/Radeon Pro 460.

 

[WhiteWhaleHolyGrail]

Doesn't matter what the performance margin is between the 455 and 460 if you'll barely utilise the GPU.

 

[zduhac]

I'm begining to think that maybe the best option is to simply save the $200.
The reason why I'm not simply choosing the 460 model is because that GPU seams to be the most troubled one. Most of the reported glitches and problems are attributed to this GPU.

 

[koyoot]

Every application that will use Metal will have by default GPU acceleration. So the more power you have there the better for your experience.

However, it is up to you how much performance from GPU you need. RP 450 is around GTX 950M, in performance.

 

[fs454]

I'm begining to think that maybe the best option is to simply save the $200.
The reason why I'm not simply choosing the 460 model is because that GPU seams to be the most troubled one. Most of the reported glitches and problems are attributed to this GPU.

The GPUs are all the same in that regard. I am willing to bet that the issues are global across the entire 450/55/60 line and are most likely going to be fixed via software.

 

[xraydoc]

Spending extra money on the GPU won't provide better performance - even if the 460 is much faster - if you don't have a workflow that makes use of it.

Now, that said, the real-world difference between the 2.6GHz processor and the 2.7GHz processor, even with its increased cache, is marginal at best.

Save money and don't upgrade either. Although, for simplicity sake, I bought the 2.7/512/455 model since I decided I wanted the 512GB SSD (and was in stock at my Apple Store) and didn't want to wait 3-4 weeks for a BTO.

 

[WhiteWhaleHolyGrail]

The GPUs are all the same in that regard. I am willing to bet that the issues are global across the entire 450/55/60 line and are most likely going to be fixed via software.

I have the 455 - I have no issues at all.

 

[zduhac]

At this point I think I have excluded the 460 option.
The only thing left for me to decide between 2.7/512/455 and 2.6/512/450 + $200.

 

[powerocool]

Get 2.6/512/460!

2.6 will give you better battery life according to John Gruber http://daringfireball.net/thetalkshow/2016/11/30/ep-174

 

[TiT38]

At this point I think I have excluded the 460 option.
The only thing left for me to decide between 2.7/512/455 and 2.6/512/450 + $200.

Hello I would go for 2.7/512/455 for resale purposes -> the other one is too "basic"

my opinion is that 460 is going to be be "the must have", 455 is still closer from 460 than 450

after all, if you want to keep it forever, and playing + metal software are not for you, keep your money and purchase an Applecare

 

[iGangsta]

I went with 2.7GHz because it has 2mb more cache memory.

 

[deliriumxy]

I went with 2.7GHz because it has 2mb more cache memory.

What is the advantage of having more CPU cache memory? Is it like the RAM for CPU? When would someone actually utilize this extra cache; in what sorts of applications?

 

[Make Apple Great Again]

Bigger difference in plus you will see with Radeon Pro 460 than with 2.7 GHz CPU.

As I have said many times before: sweet spot for performance: 2.6 GHz/16 GB/512 GB SSD/Radeon Pro 460.

2.7/512/460 is the sweet spot IMO... for only about $100 more you upgrade the 2.6 to a 2.7 and improve your L3 cache from 6MB to 8MB which will help with the longevity of the machine... the 2.7 and 2.9 both have 8MB of L3 cache.

As for the OP, if you have to decide between those 2, definitely go with the 460.

 

[iGangsta]

What is the advantage of having more CPU cache memory? Is it like the RAM for CPU? When would someone actually utilize this extra cache; in what sorts of applications?

When you run multiple apps at the same time or in render processes you notice 2mb more cache memory. CPU will do the same processes in a shorter time next time because its memory higher than 2.6ghz

 

[fs454]

I have the 455 - I have no issues at all.

Right - there are plenty of people with no issues and it's the classic situation of the Macrumors forums: the most vocal are those having issues, and those who aren't having issues are out there enjoying their laptops and not here posting that everything is A-OK on their device.

I'm pretty certain that all the chips have the same failure / defect rate as they're all just binned versions of the same chip, but we'll never have any definitive proof unless Apple starts recalling.

 

[zduhac]

Everyone seems to hurry and recommend the 460 GPU, but that seems to be the most troubled option.
This forum is full of people experiencing issues with that GPU above all others.

 

[fs454]

Everyone seems to hurry and recommend the 460 GPU, but that seems to be the most troubled option.
This forum is full of people experiencing issues with that GPU above all others.

I really do think it's a matter of sample size, and it doesn't seem like it's widespread to the point where we need to hold off purchasing it altogether. At the end of the day, Apple has to stand by these things and if there are issues you'll end up with a replacement or the option for a different GPU.

I've got like 80 hours of gaming in and a few 4K XAVC-S Premiere projects down so far and haven't had a single issue with the GPU directly. My initial startup on OSX gives me a slow-fps login page before it boots fully into the OS, but I can't see that one sign being a red alert to return the notebook - it feels like a bug in the pre-boot environment where you select a user.

 

[zduhac]

I really do think it's a matter of sample size, and it doesn't seem like it's widespread to the point where we need to hold off purchasing it altogether.

I guess you are right about this being the sample size and I do hope that this is something that is going to be fixed with a software/firmware update. When you look at the 9to5's "unscientific" poll, you can see that all three cards have 60% users experiencing the issue.

As for the "getting a replacement unit if this one fails", that is what I am trying to avoid, because I am bringing my MBP to a country that has one or two authorized resellers and services and the exchange would not be as easy as it is in the US or UK.

 

[curmudgeonette]

As for the "getting a replacement unit if this one fails", that is what I am trying to avoid, because I am bringing my MBP to a country that has one or two authorized resellers and services and the exchange would not be as easy as it is in the US or UK.

In that case, get a standard configuration. I.e., the 2.7/512/455.

 

[zduhac]

In that case, get a standard configuration. I.e., the 2.7/512/455.

Exactly my thoughts at the moment.
Don't get me wrong, I love having everything maxed out. But this is just weighing pros and cons at this point.
Plus, this has already strained my budget quite a bit.