Thursday, October 21st 2021
Apple M1 Max Beats GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU in GFXBench 5.0, but Doesn't Shine in Geekbench
This should be taken with a fair helping of salt, considering GFXBench 5.0 is mobile device focused benchmark, even though the company behind claims it's a platform independent benchmark. Regardless of that, it looks like the new 32 core GPU in Apple's M1 Max SoC offers some pretty competitive performance, as it manages GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU in said test.
However, this is a median score for the GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU and many of the tests that make up GFXBench 5.0 aren't using DirectX, which is one likely reason for Apple's M1 Max GPU beating the Nvidia card. On the other hand, all tests seem to support Metal, which is Apple's 3D API, whereas the Nvidia card has to fall back to using OpenGL which tends to offer lower performance than DirectX in games. In most of the tests we're looking at an average performance advantage of less than 10 percent in favour of Apple, but it's nonetheless impressive considering that Apple hasn't been in the GPU business for very long.
On the other hand, in a Geekbench OpenCL test, the M1 Max is losing out against a GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU by quite some margin depending on the test. Neither is of course a real world scenario and we're going to wait a little while longer to see how well Apple's new SoCs really performs and more importantly, what the limitations are in terms of software compatibility.
Sources:
3DCenter, Geekbench
However, this is a median score for the GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU and many of the tests that make up GFXBench 5.0 aren't using DirectX, which is one likely reason for Apple's M1 Max GPU beating the Nvidia card. On the other hand, all tests seem to support Metal, which is Apple's 3D API, whereas the Nvidia card has to fall back to using OpenGL which tends to offer lower performance than DirectX in games. In most of the tests we're looking at an average performance advantage of less than 10 percent in favour of Apple, but it's nonetheless impressive considering that Apple hasn't been in the GPU business for very long.
60 Comments on Apple M1 Max Beats GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU in GFXBench 5.0, but Doesn't Shine in Geekbench
CPUs with iGPUs fast enough for mainstream gaming will kill the xx50 or even xx60-class dGPUs. Crypto is driving this change.
Wonder if the game console skunkworks is still in flight over there.
They have:
1. A high performance API (Metal)
2. A high performance Chip and ecosystem across many devices/device types
3. 24-120Hz VRR capability on new devices -- iphone, ipad and macbook with built in displays
4. A decent market share of loyal apple fans who also have a gaming PC/Xbox on the side.
What they need:
2. Market share and gaming content either by:
a. Ability to port content/games
b. Enticing developers to make popular content for their platforms.
Apple could very well be a name in gaming here before too long. They have the capability to roll out AAA game titles across the entire platform.
It's now trickled through the entire stack -- (ipad, iphone, computer etc. Apple TV?? Mac Mini??) -- and it's now using the same API... with chips that have some serious power. Now you have the ability to write a game for the ipad that will run native on the mac and vice versa, and it's pushing 3080 laptop numbers through the API.
There is really some great potential here. It's just missing games/ports. Really interesting -- great article.That's what I'm thinking/hoping...
I would expect the Pro and Max to offer some solid performance. The base M1 is a known commodity, and pro and max just expand on that, and memory bandwidth is certainly there. There’s potential for a console-like experience, but will we actually see that kind of adoption from developers? Apple’s fees might be a bit of a challenge, but aren’t they in line with what MS and Sony charge?
I wouldn't expect more than 14-16 CUs in the near future.
Hope to end up wrong. The fastest I am proved wrong, the better.
PS Also SONY and Microsoft wouldn't be happy with such a product, except if it is ridiculously expensive.
10.4 Tflops M1 max vs 35.6 Tflops RTX 3090... now let's see the PS5... 10.2 tflops.
This shows that the Metal API is at least somewhat capable of translating those theoretical numbers into FPS - and those are more than enough for high-end gaming / top tier console device.
U still have fun with a Stupid Benchmark like Geekbench or GFXBench :)
Thats awesome if i change my registry R7 IGP would be same as fast like a 6800 in GFX Bench:laugh:
We have now since a decade Years, 3DMark, Unigine Benchmark, in Game Benches etc. et all,
but because its Apple we need a totaly Bullshit Bingo Benchmark.:eek:
Then can the holly M1 run Crysis ?, nah it cant on 30 FPs even on lowest in 720p:D
An AMD iGPU just needs quad channel DDR5 6400 to achieve similar bandwidth as a 3050 to 3060.
It is like comparing one gpu running OpenGL on linux to another gpu running DX12 on Windows. It is not same-to-same comparison.
Apple also has lower latency due to the memory placement, something we're also unlikely to ever see in a PC.Hence to take this with a helping of salt and all the other disclaimers I put in.
Give me a shout when it beats it at crysis or something.
There's HBM, infinity cache & even quad channel DDR5 memory can solve a large part of this issue.
Making Macs gaming machines isn't their top priority and also I don't think it should be.
If you compare to:
Then these are very competitive for the performance. A $1,400 iPad with an M1X won't be cheap but it will be good value if you can hook it up to your tv and run PS5-quality games on it....You mean like Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo?... they're 100% doing it.
Expanding macs into the GIANT gaming market is a great way to expand macs in general. There's a ton of demand and opportunity there. Many gamers are aging into being professionals that still love to game, and don't want a UFO looking laptop designed for 15 year olds.
I mean if you have it already fine, but I can't see it swinging console or pc gamers on mass though.