Impressed with M1 MBA GPU Performance

[anubis1980]

I used to use my 2015 MBP i7 Quad Core, 16GB ram R9 370x AMD Discreet GPU machine for Zwift. I would use it on my TV and whilst it wasn't the quickest, it worked pretty well. The fans would scream though.

I've finally got back on my bike after being unwell for 3 weeks and fired up Zwift and connected the tv via a 60hz USB c cable to HDMI. The GPU performance is night and day compared to my old MBP. I only have the base MBA 7 core one, and after 45 mins of use, its warm but not like my Intel, no screen tearing at all and really smooth with decent FPS. Its funny as I've checked the log file and it doesn't know what the M1 is... its also running via Rossetta 2 as well so I really hope they release an optimised version as it may allow for higher graphic settings.

The strangest thing is as well... no noise. My MBP sounded horrific. Temps were often high 90s-100c.

Really impressed with the bluetooth as well, had my smart trainer, cadence and heart monitor all connected and not one drop. I was worried after reading so many horror stories about bluetooth issues.

 

[Pressure]

The strangest thing is as well... no noise.

I'm not sure what kind of noise you were expecting from a fanless computer?

 

[anubis1980]

I'm not sure what kind of noise you were expecting from a fanless computer?

I am so used to noise from my intel I think I hear fan noise haha then I remember it hasn't got one

 

[Mcdevidr]

The machine is quite impressive vs portable windows computers. The Razer Blade stealth 13 I had with 1165G7 offered some comparable performance cpu wise but it had to be plugged in to get this. In any case the battery wouldn't last anywhere near what the air would while playing the same game. Id say I got 60% more battery time on the Air.

 

[Buck987]

Really impressed with the bluetooth as well, had my smart trainer, cadence and heart monitor all connected and not one drop. I was worried after reading so many horror stories about bluetooth issues.

Can I ask which cycling program you are using with your smart trainer and the M1...thank you

 

[anubis1980]

Can I ask which cycling program you are using with your smart trainer and the M1...thank you

Zwift. Is this what you mean?

they have just updated it and now , even though it still runs in Intel, M1 now support ultra 1440p graphics profile as well. If they ever get around to making a native AS version it will be far better

 

[Buck987]

Zwift. Is this what you mean?

they have just updated it and now , even though it still runs in Intel, M1 now support ultra 1440p graphics profile as well. If they ever get around to making a native AS version it will be far better

Yes, thank you. I was not able to get THE SUFFERFEST to work on an older Macbook and was interested to see what did work. (have not tried SUFFFERFEST on any M1 system yet.)

 

[fang-woem-rai]

If you're impressed by 7 core air's GPU performance, wait till you get to try out M1 macbook pro and you will be blown away!

It has an extra core and it can be upto 30% faster in sustained load (due to more effective head dissipation system) and perhaps even higher (40-50% higher) during summers when ambient temperature rises.

 

[anubis1980]

I live in the UK. My cold water tap is hotter than our summers haha.