Next Apple Silicon Desktop CPUs

[bf2008]

Hi! I'm really excited about the new M1 chip and I think so far it's been a very good decision from Apple to move away from Intel.
But I think it's going to be key for the transition to offer really outstanding desktop CPUs.
What kind of CPUs you think we should expect for the next desktops? Mac Mini, iMac and Mac Pro.
Do you think Apple may release 8-core and 16-core variants of the M1 with just performance cores? If so we can expect 8 x 1,500 = 12,000 or 16 x 1,500 = 24,000 Geekbench scores approximately, which would be awesome.
I think if Apple does this they may bring a complete revolution in the computer market and really high-end software may even migrate to Apple.
What do you guys think we could expect?
Thanks!

 

[leman]

Next step will most likely be 8 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores, which will be more than enough for consumer level desktop applications.

 

[bf2008]

Yeah, certainly! But I'm thinking about high-end market, which I think will be key for driving the development of new native software for Apple silicon.
I'm particularly thinking about Scientific applications, which require high power CPUs, but also thinking about video editing/rendering, etc.

 

[matrix07]

High end market most likely will come on wave 3 (iMac Pro, Mac Pro). Wave 2 will likely be 8 fire core and 4 ice core. The selling point will be a completely re-designed forms on both MacBook (less bezel, FaceID, better screen) and iMac (slimmer, less bezel better screen). We might even get new (smaller) form factor of Mac mini Pro.

 

[spidertaker23]

High end market most likely will come on wave 3 (iMac Pro, Mac Pro). Wave 2 will likely be 8 fire core and 4 ice core. The selling point will be a completely re-designed forms on both MacBook (less bezel, FaceID, better screen) and iMac (slimmer, less bezel better screen).

agreed! I was pretty set to buy a 2020 27” iMac, but with the insane performance of the M1 for the class I have now paused. I am really interested in what Apple does for iMac / mid-market desktops. Are we thinking these wave 2 Macs are going to be early or late 2021?

 

[pshufd]

Yeah, certainly! But I'm thinking about high-end market, which I think will be key for driving the development of new native software for Apple silicon.
I'm particularly thinking about Scientific applications, which require high power CPUs, but also thinking about video editing/rendering, etc.

8 Performance Cores will get you a multicore Geekbench 5 of about 14,000. That's pretty high-end right now. 12 will get you to 21,000 which is just insane. I read that an AMD 16 core 5950x overclocked to 6 Ghz will get about the same score. These individual performance cores already pack a considerable punch.

 

[matrix07]

agreed! I was pretty set to buy a 2020 27” iMac, but with the insane performance of the M1 for the class I have now paused. I am really interested in what Apple does for iMac / mid-market desktops. Are we thinking these wave 2 Macs are going to be early or late 2021?

I’d say first half of next year. (if they don’t have problem manufacturing new screens).

 

[leman]

Yeah, certainly! But I'm thinking about high-end market, which I think will be key for driving the development of new native software for Apple silicon.
I'm particularly thinking about Scientific applications, which require high power CPUs, but also thinking about video editing/rendering, etc.

You mean Mac Pro? Probably 16 cores. That should be enough to take on a 32-core threadripper and the like. I doubt Apple will go faster then that. They are not in a supercomputer or server business.

 

[Serban55]

Since the M1 in term of perm makes a lot of high end system a take for their money....i think 8 perf cores with 4 efficiency cores it will be more than enough based on the M1...even for pro pro users...that chip will also support more than external 2 displays and 4 tb/usb4 ports
But for the real PRO that wants to trade the current Mac Pro...probably like leman said 16 perf cores and thats it

 

[spidertaker23]

I’d say first half of next year. (if they don’t have problem manufacturing new screens).

Thats what I’m hoping for. I wonder if they will update just the 21” or the 27” at the same time. Honestly, I don’t care if they were to update the iMac or come out with another desktop .. I just want something more powerful graphics wise that costs under $3,000. I just can’t see buying an intel iMac and have it blown out of the water in less than 6 months.

 

[spidertaker23]

I wonder if the mid to high end desktops will have higher integrated gpus or if Apple will make their own custom dedicated gpu. If dedicated I wonder how they do that with unified memory.

 

[pshufd]

I wonder if the mid to high end desktops will have higher integrated gpus or if Apple will make their own custom dedicated gpu. If dedicated I wonder how they do that with unified memory.

I'd think that they would have to have stronger GPUs. The current Intel Mini supports 3x4k and I'd expect a higher-spec Mini desktop to support at least that. If they could make something about 50% more CPU than the M1 and 3x4k support, with good thermals, I'd be happy.

 

[matrix07]

I wonder if the mid to high end desktops will have higher integrated gpus or if Apple will make their own custom dedicated gpu. If dedicated I wonder how they do that with unified memory.

I predict the higher ones (16” MBP, 27” iMac) will have some form of Apple owned DGPU.

 

[leman]

I wonder if the mid to high end desktops will have higher integrated gpus or if Apple will make their own custom dedicated gpu. If dedicated I wonder how they do that with unified memory.

It's pretty much certain that all Apple Silicon Macs will use unified memory. That's one of the selling point of the platform. Without it, the concept just falls apart.

The actual topology of the processors (one large monolithic SoC, chiplets, something else) is up to implementation detail.

 

[spidertaker23]

I predict the higher ones (16” MBP, 27” iMac) will have some form of Apple owned DGPU.

That’s what I’m hoping for. Those Macs will probably be the 1st Macs that will be able to play games as higher than expected FPS. I am hoping it can push games on macOS to be something that is actually mentioned in the same conversation as Pc gaming. The gains that Apple is making so far with the m1 chip is crazy for such a low power chip.

 

[IowaLynn]

Workstation or what? 24-cores 768GB of memory, $2000 "After burner" ? ... and its under $20,000 too!

There was a time when architects were paying for ability to do blueprints using such systems and specialized software. Or when before Windows NT that workstations meant the ones $10K and often twice that. I'm sure 2023 Apple will have redesigned and changed what they can do.

Mac Pro - Technical Specifications

See all the technical specifications for Mac Pro with the M2 Ultra chip.

www.apple.com

 

[matrix07]

That’s what I’m hoping for. Those Macs will probably be the 1st Macs that will be able to play games as higher than expected FPS. I am hoping it can push games on macOS to be something that is actually mentioned in the same conversation as Pc gaming. The gains that Apple is making so far with the m1 chip is crazy for such a low power chip.

This is the best time to be a Mac user no doubt. ?

 

[pshufd]

I watched some videogame performance comparisons between the 10900K and 5950X last night and was somewhat stunned at how much power gaming systems use. The GPU was using up a little over 300 watts and the Intel CPU was using up around 90 watts (the AMD screen didn't show CPU power consumption). Can Apple make a more efficient GPU too?

 

[Serban55]

I watched some videogame performance comparisons between the 10900K and 5950X last night and was somewhat stunned at how much power gaming systems use. The GPU was using up a little over 300 watts and the Intel CPU was using up around 90 watts (the AMD screen didn't show CPU power consumption). Can Apple make a more efficient GPU too?

it already did...the M1 gpu at full power (gpu only) draws around 10-11W and its on par with nvidia 1050 Ti and that card i think draws over 4 times more
And think what Apple can do with the rumour upcoming custom gpu that will be placed under larger macs like the 16" mbp or the imacs, and can draq around 45-60W

For example my M1 the gpu draws 11W in The Witcher 3 , while my Dell the gpu 1050 Ti in the same game draws 66.6W

 

[spidertaker23]

This is the best time to be a Mac user no doubt. ?

I have been an Apple enthusiast since the iPhone was released in 2007, but have never owned a Mac. I have always built my own custom PCs. With kids, job, house etc I want to get a Mac as I’m sick of “futzing” with Pc hardware and drivers etc. I was all set to buy an iMac until Apple announced Apple silicon transition. I was still pretty set to buy the 2020 iMac with 5700 XT gpu since it’s the nicest gpu they have ever put into a desktop Mac. But man with M1 blowing the doors off everything in its class I can’t escape the feeling that spending over $2,000 on an intel Mac right now is a terrible mistake I will regret in less than 6 months.

 

[bf2008]

Many people say that we could expect the next Desktop CPU to be 8 or 12 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores, but what would be the point of an efficiency core in a Desktop CPU. Isn't it better to just have all performance cores?

 

[pshufd]

Many people say that we could expect the next Desktop CPU to be 8 or 12 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores, but what would be the point of an efficiency core in a Desktop CPU. Isn't it better to just have all performance cores?

I personally prefer systems that run cool with lower power consumption when they are idle. I wouldn't mind a system with 8 efficiency cores and 12 performance cores. The more the efficiency cores can work, the less overall power consumption.

 

[Serban55]

Many people say that we could expect the next Desktop CPU to be 8 or 12 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores, but what would be the point of an efficiency core in a Desktop CPU. Isn't it better to just have all performance cores?

Because Apple is thinking into the future..remember the today chip will be the next year cheaper chip
Let me explain...like on the iphone SE or the cheaper ipad apple put a "last year gen" that can translate into the mac as well
So:
Apple is clear it doesnt design 1 chip just for 1 mac
So lets say the M2 will have 8 perf and 4 efficiency cores...that would allow apple to place the M2 not just into desktop like higher end mac mini or imac, but also in the 16" mbp....and after 1-2 years that M2 that will be replaced with the M3, apple can placed that M2 also into a cheaper MBP or imac....so gives Apples a lot more profit margins and the ability to placed that chip not only into the desktop.. IF apple would made the M2 only with performance cores that would block apple to place that only, maybe in the desktop...and since we know apple is a masterpiece into profits....that would not be the case...No wonder M1 is placed under laptops and also desktop mac mini

 

[Jimmy James]

Many people say that we could expect the next Desktop CPU to be 8 or 12 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores, but what would be the point of an efficiency core in a Desktop CPU. Isn't it better to just have all performance cores?

In addition to other comments, by allocating simple processes to efficiency cores they generate less heat, and you have more thermal headroom for intensive tasks.

 

[ADGrant]

I have been an Apple enthusiast since the iPhone was released in 2007, but have never owned a Mac. I have always built my own custom PCs. With kids, job, house etc I want to get a Mac as I’m sick of “futzing” with Pc hardware and drivers etc. I was all set to buy an iMac until Apple announced Apple silicon transition. I was still pretty set to buy the 2020 iMac with 5700 XT gpu since it’s the nicest gpu they have ever put into a desktop Mac. But man with M1 blowing the doors off everything in its class I can’t escape the feeling that spending over $2,000 on an intel Mac right now is a terrible mistake I will regret in less than 6 months.

If you just want to run MacOS software then yes, at some point in the next year or so the 2020 iMac may seem a bit underwhelming. We aren't there yet though, the M1 does surpass the 202iMacs i9 in single core performance but the i0 has 10 cores. The M1's GPU performance is not in the same ballpark as the 5700XT either.

If you want to virtualize any x86 operating systems (Windows, Linux etc) or dual boot into Windows, you won't be able to with an Apple Silicon Mac.