Macbook Pro Intel i7 (7th gen) vs Macbook Pro Touchbar i5(8th gen)

[davet7]

Hello Everyone!

I'm looking to purchase a new MacBook Pro. I am about to retire my 2010 MacBook Pro (core 2 duo). Trying to get into coding & matlab so a fast computer would help.

I had made two configurations and the cost variance is only $20. Where the touch bar option is cheaper.

Option A:
Macbook pro (without touch bar)

• 2.5GHz dual-core 7th-generation Intel Core i7 processor, Turbo Boost up to 4.0GHz
• Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640
• 16GB 2133MHz LPDDR3 memory
• 512GB SSD storage

Vs.

Option B:

• 2.3GHz quad‑core 8th‑generation Intel Core i5 processor, Turbo Boost up to 3.8GHz
• Retina display with True Tone
• Touch Bar and Touch ID
• Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655
• 16GB 2133MHz LPDDR3 memory
• 512GB SSD storage
• Four Thunderbolt 3 ports

Question: Which is the better option/faster? Is the quad-core 8th-generation Intel Core i5 better than dual-core 7th-generation Intel Core i7?

I appreciate your help in advance!

Thank you,

Dave

 

[leman]

They will perform similarly in single-core dominated workloads, the 2018 will be much faster in multi-core workloads and the GPU is about 30-40% faster.

 

[davet7]

They will perform similarly in single-core dominated workloads, the 2018 will be much faster in multi-core workloads and the GPU is about 30-40% faster.

thank you for the help Leman!

 

[PeterJP]

Yeah, I think there is no comparison. If your compiler does parallel compiling, the quad core will demolish the dual core. For most serious work these days, more cores are the way to go.

 

[davet7]

Yeah, I think there is no comparison. If your compiler does parallel compiling, the quad core will demolish the dual core. For most serious work these days, more cores are the way to go.

Thank you PeterJP

 

[sokzzuka]

new 8 gen u cpus are comparable to old HQ i7s (4 cores, 8 threads).
Around 40-80% faster in multi than older 7th Gen dual core u CPUs - depending on application.
If you can go with 8th gen, then that's the only way to go imo.

 

[currahee2100]

Definitely the 8th gen 2018. Quad core will be nice when you are going to work with multithreaded, cpu intensive applications.

I had a 2017 Pro but went with the 2018. Two tbolt ports will be terrible, especially when one is being used for power. Pass through power delivery adapters are expensive.