M4 vs Pro: Let's talk about cores

[m0nkeyb0y]

Here's my situation. I do almost 0 in the way of gaming, audio, photo, or video processing, AI/LLMs, etc. I don't need a massive GPU or P cores. (I do run one program several hours a day that draws on the GPU.)

BUT, my understanding is that in talking about p vs. e cores, it's not that p-cores can't do what e-cores do, just that they're much less efficient at it. So instead of me looking at the calculus of p. vs e cores for my needs, doesn't it make more sense to just think of the total core count? If that's the case, then doesn't a 12-core CPU with 16-core GPU still just a better all-around computer than a 10/10 core?

I can do a Mini Pro, 24GB Ram, 2Tb for $1619 vs a 32Gb RAM 2Tb for $1839. So, less RAM, significantly more cores of CPU/GPU and save $200, or more RAM, but less chip and pay $200 more?

 

[PeteBurgh]

I feel like you might have gone down a bit of a rabbit hole over-thinking things like core counts. I'm not sure it's helpful to try to figure out abstractly what is "just a better all-around computer" - that could be lots of things depending on how you define it. Instead, I think it helps to focus on how you actually intend to use the machine.

Are you running into a bottleneck with your current hardware? Would being able to complete a certain task faster allow you to make more money, or significantly enhance your enjoyment of computer? If yes, go for it! Or if you just enjoy the idea of having a high specced computer, go nuts! Life is for living.

For actual practical advantages however, I suspect that it's one of these things where 'if you know, you know'. That is, those that need the higher specced configurations to compile software, do renders, export video, etc know what their bottlenecks are. If you have to ask, the chances are that the practical differences between these different configurations will be marginal at best.

 

[BigBlur]

Yeah, this can definitely be a rabbit hole. It really depends on what you use your computer for. If you mostly do light work, then having one with more E-cores may be better, as then you're not hogging the P-cores from other tasks that need them. On the flip side, if you do more heavy computing, then you'd probably want one with more P-cores. This is also a bit more relevant when talking about MacBooks that run on battery power. If all you do is browse the web, email, word processing, etc., then a MacBook with more E-cores would last longer than one with less E-cores.

I'd just be honest with yourself and ask what you really need vs. what looks better on paper. Given what you said here, I feel like the M4 and 24GB of RAM ($1,439) would be sufficient for your needs and should consider that option as well. I guess if you were considering 24GB of RAM with the M4 Pro, why did you feel the need to bump the RAM to 32GB for the M4 (and/or not bump up the RAM for the M4 Pro too)?