Efficiency cores in a MacBook Pro M3 question

[3Rock]

I like my system to be snappy, as in bringing up different apps and programs quickly and transferring from one app to another. Will a 6 core efficiency chip be snappier than a 4 or 2 efficiency core chip MacBook ? Thinking between the MacBook Pro M3 12-core CPU / 18-core GPU and a M3 MacBook 8-core CPU / 10-core GPU that has 4 efficiency cores. I’m going to do just simple Internet browsing, YouTube, banking, and some conference calls and perhaps some light gaming. Nothing taxing. It’s more of a want than a actual need type thing.


Anybody have experience with a 2/4 or 6 efficiency core systems, or have heard of any pluses or minuses? I don’t wanna throw additional money away over a system with six cores over four if they are just the same or very close performance wise. Thank you.

 

[chrfr]

I like my system to be snappy, as in bringing up different apps and programs quickly and transferring from one app to another. Will a 6 core efficiency chip be snappier than a 4 or 2 efficiency core chip MacBook ? Thinking between the MacBook Pro M3 12-core CPU / 18-core GPU and a M3 MacBook 8-core CPU / 10-core GPU that has 4 efficiency cores. I’m going to do just simple Internet browsing, YouTube, banking, and some conference calls and perhaps some light gaming. Nothing taxing. It’s more of a want than a actual need type thing.


Anybody have experience with a 2/4 or 6 efficiency core systems, or have heard of any pluses or minuses? I don’t wanna throw additional money away over a system with six cores over four if they are just the same or very close performance wise. Thank you.

Even a MacBook Air would work perfectly well for this sort of a workflow. You definitely don't need the M3 Pro chip for this.

 

[3Rock]

I thought as much, but as far as the pro MacBook, I will have a better display to look at, which is what I like over the air version. like I said, it’s a want, not a need. 👍

 

[gilby101]

I’m going to do just simple Internet browsing, YouTube, banking, and some conference calls and perhaps some light gaming. Nothing taxing. It’s more of a want than a actual need type thing.

For snappiness the P-cores are the important ones. The M3 (not Pro or Mac) will be more than enough for your usage. The 4 E-cores will handle background tasks just fine. On my MBP M3, the E-cores work away in the background at (mostly) low frequency. The 4 P-cores are there for when I need them for snappiness or for moderate processing (e.g. Lightroom).

If you don't mind the extra weight, I would recommend a 13" M3 MBP over a 13" M2 MBA because of the better screen and amazing battery life for light tasks. Just make sure you get 16GB.

 

[3Rock]

It’s somewhat difficult to find literature, which is better, the P-cores or the E-cores for snappiness, so thank you for clearing this up. Since I will be doing some Lightroom task, I will go for the MBP M3 14” with 6-P cores and 6 E-cores & 36 gb memory / 1 tb ssd. Could spend less but, what the heck, it’s my money.🤪 (veterans discount)

 

[chrfr]

It’s somewhat difficult to find literature, which is better, the P-cores or the E-cores for snappiness, so thank you for clearing this up. Since I will be doing some Lightroom task, I will go for the MBP M3 14” with 6-P cores and 6 E-cores & 36 gb memory / 1 tb ssd. Could spend less but, what the heck, it’s my money.🤪 (veterans discount)

You’re confusing terms. People are recommending the M3 chip to you. It will be far more than sufficient. The M3 Pro is the processor that has the extra cores and 36GB of RAM, and that is entirely a waste of money for the uses you’ve described, and you will never notice any difference in performance between the 2 models.

 

[jav6454]

Efficiency cores are mostly for certain system tasks or lighter workload. Your describe workload can be handled by efficiency cores easily.

 

[3Rock]

You’re confusing terms. People are recommending the M3 chip to you. It will be far more than sufficient. The M3 Pro is the processor that has the extra cores and 36GB of RAM, and that is entirely a waste of money for the uses you’ve described, and you will never notice any difference in performance between the 2 models.

Yep, I’m still learning about these cores and which ones that I actually need. I just want the system to run snappy as in all the apps and programs I use will not lag/hesitate a little when I click on them. Photoshop that I use will not be an issue with any of the M3 systems even the iMac. but I do like to game a little bit and I see the numbers coming out that less Cored give you fewer FPS’s. And the more games that are optimize for Apple Silicon, I would like to play them at a decent rate. But I will not go for the max which would give me more FPS. Too much $$$. Thank you all for your suggestions.

 

[chrfr]

Yep, I’m still learning about these cores and which ones that I actually need. I just want the system to run snappy as in all the apps and programs I use will not lag/hesitate a little when I click on them. Photoshop that I use will not be an issue with any of the M3 systems even the iMac. but I do like to game a little bit and I see the numbers coming out that less Cored give you fewer FPS’s. And the more games that are optimize for Apple Silicon, I would like to play them at a decent rate. But I will not go for the max which would give me more FPS. Too much $$$. Thank you all for your suggestions.

They will all "feel snappy." Even an M1 Mac.