All M1 Mac models use the same M1 chip, so upgrade options are limited to SSD storage space and RAM. We haven’t seen many comparisons that show the difference between a machine with 8GB RAM and an upgraded 16GB RAM option, but Max Tech today shared a video highlighting the performance between the 8GB MacBook Pro and the 16GB MacBook Pro.
The video includes a series of benchmark tests ranging from Geekbench and Cinebench to RAW export tests. The GeekBench and Cinebench benchmarks show no difference in performance between the 8GB and 16GB models, but other tests designed for maximum use of RAM showed some differences.
A Max Tech Xcode benchmark that mimics compiling code saw the 162 model score 122 compared to the 136 created by the 8GB model, the lower the score the better.
The biggest difference was seen in the 4K export from the 8K RAW R3D, which took the 8GB Mook Cubic Pro 13.57 seconds to complete, while the 16GB MacBook Pro was able to complete it in 5.59 seconds, the same time as the 16-inch core. I9MB Kabuk Pro with 32GB RAM.
The 4K export test and the Lightroom Classic RAW export test also showed small differences, but the results were quite close, with the Lightroom test coming down 17 seconds. The 16GB model Dell has also beaten the ક 2,300 iMac.
Notably, during these benchmarking performance tests, the Max Tech saw a low performance temperature, which fans often did not need to kick, which was a big difference when comparing the M1M B Kabuk Pro models with the Intel MacBook Pro models.
Max Tech’s video is perfect for those trying to decide between a machine with 8 GB RAM and a machine with 16 GB RAM. There seems to be some small performance difference when it comes to benchmarks, especially with system intensive functions, but in daily use, the 8GB model holds up well and most people don’t need a 16GB upgrade.
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