GPU clock speed differences in MBP 15/17"

[ClayDavid]

I've seen people say that the clock speeds of the GPU are different between the 15" and the 17" MBP, namely that the 17" is clocked higher.

My question: is the actual speed difference between the two noticeable when using GPU intensive tasks, like games and video-editing?

If one planned to game a bit on the MBP, would it be worth it to get a 17" over a 15" simply because of the clock speed of the GPU?

Thanks for any info!

edit:

From this link: http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/graphics.html on the right hand side, the 17 and 15 inch comparison bar cought my atention.

I hadn't realized that there was such a difference in performance betwwen two identically specced MBPs.

Again, my question: is it noticeable from a user standpoint?

Thanks again.

 

[dynetk]

If you look closely at the small text on top of the graphs it's being compared to a Powerbook and not a MBP. If you run at native resolutions for gaming the 17in MBP should actually be slower frame rate wise when compared to the 15in MBP.

 

[Felldownthewell]

If you look closely at the small text on top of the graphs it's being compared to a Powerbook and not a MBP. If you run at native resolutions for gaming the 17in MBP should actually be slower frame rate wise when compared to the 15in MBP.

Also the 15in was tested back in Feb. while the 17in was tested in April, which means the 15in was far newer technology when tested than the 17in. Not sure if it matters that much, but I thought I might point it out.

If you are serious about gaming, you will probably be running windows, and there are a good, free, safe, tools for changing clock speeds; with software that does not flash the GFX processor. It is not over-clocking to bring your speeds up to factory-recomended settings, but it will still void your applecare. It DOES improve video quality, however...not that I would know...

 

[Pressure]

They use the exact same chip, which support clock gating and dynamic voltage regulation. They may, however, not be supplied with the same voltage due to the design.

It shows there is a difference between the MacBook Pro 15" and 17".

The MacBook Pro 15" is 2.2x faster in Doomed III (pun) gaming, while the MacBook Pro 17" show its 2.4x faster compared to the baseline PowerBook 4.

 

[risc]

http://barefeats.com/mbcd2.html

"...Though the CPU clock speed advantage of the 2.16GHz MacBook Pro is only 8%, it outperformed the 2.0GHz MacBook Pro by as much as 43%, depending on the application... we rechecked the 17" MacBook Pro's X1600 GPU's core and memory speeds before, during and after running 3D Games using Graphiccelerator's "Show ATI Frequencies" function. Before starting a series of runs, the core measured 311MHz frequency. When we ran 3D games, it jumped to 423MHz. After sitting idle a few minutes, it fell back to 311MHz. We measured a similar jump in the GPU's memory clock from 297MHz to 450MHz."

 

[Felldownthewell]

http://barefeats.com/mbcd2.html

"...Though the CPU clock speed advantage of the 2.16GHz MacBook Pro is only 8%, it outperformed the 2.0GHz MacBook Pro by as much as 43%, depending on the application... we rechecked the 17" MacBook Pro's X1600 GPU's core and memory speeds before, during and after running 3D Games using Graphiccelerator's "Show ATI Frequencies" function. Before starting a series of runs, the core measured 311MHz frequency. When we ran 3D games, it jumped to 423MHz. After sitting idle a few minutes, it fell back to 311MHz. We measured a similar jump in the GPU's memory clock from 297MHz to 450MHz."

I can confirm this. In XP HL2 runs far better when the gfx card in my 15in is clocked at 400/400 as opposed to its standard 300/300. I guess this means that the 17in will have better video without warranty-voiding procedures.

 

[n8236]

I ran the overclock ATI tool on boot camp:

my default: 300/295 - the 3d fps was ~60-70

oc'ed to: 430/430 (rock stable, no artifacts or extra noticable heat) - the 3d fps was 90-100.

The difference is so obvious it's not funny. I have it set at 430/430 whenever i play games now.

 

[dmw007]

http://barefeats.com/mbcd2.html

"...Though the CPU clock speed advantage of the 2.16GHz MacBook Pro is only 8%, it outperformed the 2.0GHz MacBook Pro by as much as 43%, depending on the application... we rechecked the 17" MacBook Pro's X1600 GPU's core and memory speeds before, during and after running 3D Games using Graphiccelerator's "Show ATI Frequencies" function. Before starting a series of runs, the core measured 311MHz frequency. When we ran 3D games, it jumped to 423MHz. After sitting idle a few minutes, it fell back to 311MHz. We measured a similar jump in the GPU's memory clock from 297MHz to 450MHz."

Good article risc, the GPU in the 17" MacBook Pro is indeed faster than the 15" MacBook Pro.

 

[madmax_2069]

i wonder why they underclocked the GPU thats in the 15 inch MBP when both the 15 and 17 use the same GPU

it makes no since to me other than marketing

so is there any way to get the GPU in the 15 inch to be the same as the 17 inch

in OS X or win xp and have it stay there cause if the GPU is rated to do that speed shouldent they all do that well of cource have it idle back down when not in use since its in a laptop to drain less power

what i got from that benchmark is that the gpu in the 15 inch dont clock itself up when gaming as the 17 inch does am i correct

 

[Makosuke]

it makes no since to me other than marketing

It would only be a marketing thing if Apple made a deal out of it, and they don't--you won't see this mentioned or touted anywhere. Much more likely it's just a heat issue--I can confirm that with the GPU cranked up to full speed it does put out significant heat, and based on all the complaints about the 15" as is, I expect raising the clock on it would generate even more, even if it's physically possible.

I woulnd't read any more into it than that--bigger case = more room to dissipate heat.

what i got from that benchmark is that the gpu in the 15 inch dont clock itself up when gaming as the 17 inch does am i correct

That is correct.

 

[gnasher729]

i wonder why they underclocked the GPU thats in the 15 inch MBP when both the 15 and 17 use the same GPU

it makes no since to me other than marketing

The clock speed changes depending on how much performance is needed. When your notebook isn't doing much, you want to run it at the lowest possible clock speed to safe batteries.

 

[madmax_2069]

The clock speed changes depending on how much performance is needed. When your notebook isn't doing much, you want to run it at the lowest possible clock speed to safe batteries.

for the 17 inch yea but not the 15 inch. they should have added another fan some where to remove heat from the case to the outside. they have real small fan's that dont take to much power or like the cpu fan have it only turn on at a temp

so at what clock is the GPU in the 15 inch stuck at. the 17 inch tops out at 450 when gaming from the idle speed of 300 some odd mhz