Is the 7-core GPU vs. 8-core a big deal

[Garyhe23]

I think the best option for me is to have a 8-core GPU Macbook Air, with a 256GB and 16 RAM. But there is no such option I can choose from Apple's website. I wonder if someone knows if 7core vs. 8core a big deal in terms of the performance. I will do some gaming, e.g. wow, with my MS office, web browser and youtube related stuff if I buy the Macbook Air. Thanks for any insights and recommendations!

 

[archer75]

Based on videos of gaming it doesn't seem to be a big deal.

 

[Bacci]

The fanless design of the Air is likely a bigger factor. Sustained high demand tasks like gaming should throttle down more over time on the Air compared to the MBP, as its cooling capacity is limited.

 

[XBeatzX]

Like you a 256gb, 8-Core GPU, & 16 Ram would also be my prefered Spec. Unfortunately Apple's not offering it. I have watched probably every video on Youtube, and though no has yet done GPU Specific benchmarks on the 7-core vs 8-core, it looks like there is very little if any difference in real world usage. I don't think I would pay an extra $250 for that extra core, which is basically what it would amount too, since I don't need the additional storage space (512). I'm just about to hit the Buy Button on the Base Model 16gb before ship times slip any further, but this has been the one issue holding me back.

 

[Chompineer]

Likely there's also the 7 cores running at higher clock speeds due to the increased thermal headroom over 8 cores. Probably why some tests show the 7 vs 8 only being 6% slower.

The dead core on the die is likely acting like a small thermal sink and helping disperse heat by reducing thermal density.

 

[honestone33]

I previously had a late 2012 Mac Mini with a core i7 processor, 8 gig of Ram, and a 256 gig SSD. Back in February, I sold it (for a decent price), and purchased a late 2018 Core i5 model, again with a 256 gig SSD and and 8 gig of Ram. I thought I might be taking a step backwards regarding performance, but that's not the case at all. The newer mini easily performs as well as the prior one, at least for me.

Of course, there are a number of factors to consider:

1. What one uses their machine for.
2. How much free space is on the internal SSD.
3. Is the newer SSD "better"? I suspect that was the case for me.
4. How much disk cleanup, maintenance, and repairs does one do.

 

[newdeal]

I had a 2017 non touchbar macbook pro. I just got a base level M1 air. I like to play a game called world of tanks, not exactly a demanding game but the pro with everything set to low would get hot and the fan would scroll up and the battery life would tank. Any higher than low and it wasn't really working. The air I can have everything set to high and it runs smooth and stays cool and the battery life is still good. That is all I can say about it.

 

[Garyhe23]

Amazon is selling MacBook Air M1 256gb with 8 core GPU, but I think it is a typo on the website.

 

[reyesmac]

Part of it is marketing to get you to want more. Part of it is the ability to deny software updates to the lowest end model. They have done similar things in the distant past and with iPhones and iPads. So expect the lowest end MacBook to be cut out earlier than the rest at some point, as silly as that sounds its still possible since its been done before. In the past those models were noticeably slower than other ones, not so much with the M1's.

 

[jdb8167]

Part of it is marketing to get you to want more. Part of it is the ability to deny software updates to the lowest end model. They have done similar things in the distant past and with iPhones and iPads. So expect the lowest end MacBook to be cut out earlier than the rest at some point, as silly as that sounds its still possible since its been done before. In the past those models were noticeably slower than other ones, not so much with the M1's.

That seems unlikely. It is hard to imagine under what scenario 1/8th faster graphics is going to make any appreciable difference.

 

[Fomalhaut]

I previously had a late 2012 Mac Mini with a core i7 processor, 8 gig of Ram, and a 256 gig SSD. Back in February, I sold it (for a decent price), and purchased a late 2018 Core i5 model, again with a 256 gig SSD and and 8 gig of Ram. I thought I might be taking a step backwards regarding performance, but that's not the case at all. The newer mini easily performs as well as the prior one, at least for me.

Of course, there are a number of factors to consider:

1. What one uses their machine for.
2. How much free space is on the internal SSD.
3. Is the newer SSD "better"? I suspect that was the case for me.
4. How much disk cleanup, maintenance, and repairs does one do.

Did you really not expect 6 years of CPU improvements between your 2012 and 2018 Minis to give significantly better performance? The i5 vs i7 difference is tiny in comparison. Geekbench for the 2012 i7 model is 670-725/2600-2800 (depending on base clock) vs 999/4664 for the 2018 i5 model. It's 42-67% faster (single/multi-core).

I know it's Intel and it took them 6 years to make it worth upgrading.... but you must have had very low expectations