The differences in gaming performance between the 12 CPU core with 16 GPU cores and the 14 CPU core with 20 GPU cores versions of the M4 Pro primarily revolve around the increased processing power and graphical capabilities.
CPU Performance
- 12-Core Version: This model features a 12-core CPU, which includes performance and efficiency cores. While it provides robust performance, it is less powerful than the 14-core version in terms of multi-threaded tasks, which can impact games that heavily utilize multiple CPU cores.- 14-Core Version: With 14 CPU cores (10 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores), this model offers enhanced multi-threaded performance. This can result in better handling of complex game logic, physics, and AI, potentially leading to smoother gameplay in games that utilize multiple cores effectively.
GPU Performance
- 16-Core GPU: The 16-core GPU in the 12-core CPU model still offers strong graphical performance but is less powerful compared to the 20-core GPU. It can handle demanding games but might struggle with ultra-high detail settings or high frame rates in very demanding titles.- 20-Core GPU: The 20-core GPU in the 14-core CPU model provides significantly improved graphical performance. It can handle more complex graphics, higher resolutions, and higher frame rates more efficiently. This results in better performance in graphically intensive games, offering smoother gameplay and potentially higher frame rates.
Memory and Bandwidth
Both models have access to fast LPDDR5x memory with a bandwidth of 273 GB/s, which is crucial for maintaining high performance in games by ensuring that both the CPU and GPU have quick access to data.Gaming Performance Comparison
In practical gaming scenarios, the 14-core CPU with 20-core GPU version of the M4 Pro is expected to outperform the 12-core CPU with 16-core GPU version. This is evident in games that can utilize the additional CPU cores for complex calculations and the more powerful GPU for rendering detailed graphics. For example, in games like "Rise of the Tomb Raider," the M4 Pro models with more powerful GPUs can achieve significantly higher frame rates, such as around 133 FPS compared to lower-end models[1].Overall, the 14-core CPU with 20-core GPU version offers superior performance for gaming due to its enhanced CPU and GPU capabilities, making it more suitable for demanding games and high-performance applications.
Citations:[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dtLBOF17aQ
[2] https://everymac.com/systems/apple/macbook_pro/specs/macbook-pro-m4-pro-14-core-cpu-20-core-gpu-14-2024-specs.html
[3] https://www.notebookcheck.net/Apple-M4-Pro-analysis-Extremely-fast-but-not-as-efficient.915270.0.html
[4] https://www.notebookcheck.net/Apple-M4-Pro-14-cores-Processor-Benchmarks-and-Specs.915303.0.html
[5] https://support.apple.com/en-us/121553
[6] https://www.reddit.com/r/macbookpro/comments/1halwyn/whats_the_big_difference_between_a_m4_pro_12_core/
[7] https://www.theverge.com/24319419/apple-macbook-pro-m4-max-pro-review-price-specs
[8] https://www.notebookcheck.net/Apple-M4-Pro-20-core-GPU-Benchmarks-and-Specs.915517.0.html