Theory: AMD Polaris = New Macbook Pro graphics chip?

[NTMBK]

Seems like an ideal target for a cutting edge, high efficiency graphics chip. Launching mid year would be right on schedule for the 15" refresh.

 

[Techhog]

Duh. There was almost no reason to ever think otherwise, at least for the ones with a dGPU. I mean, I guess there was was a chance of them going with Pascal, it it certainly wasn't the more likely option. I'd say that no dGPU option would have been more likely than Pascal, honestly.

 

[Mondozei]

If Pascal retains its efficiency advantage, and all indications are that it will, it'll make more sense to continue with Nvidia unless AMD can compete by bleeding themselves (even more) to death.

 

[Techhog]

If Pascal retains its efficiency advantage, and all indications are that it will, it'll make more sense to continue with Nvidia unless AMD can compete by bleeding themselves (even more) to death.

See, that's what you're missing. Current 17-inch Macbook Pros use the R9 M370X as the dGPU option. They likely switched for a reason, so i don't know why they would switch back.

 

[Mondozei]

I stand corrected! Although they have shipped with NV most of the time in recent history so a more accurate statement would be to say, they will most likely continue with what they have been doing most of the time lately.

Secondly, AFAIK, AMD got the contract mostly because of price, not because they were more efficient. And if Apple wanted to go all in on efficiency, Polaris will unlikely be the choice.

 

[Techhog]

Secondly, AFAIK, AMD got the contract mostly because of price, not because they were more efficient. And if Apple wanted to go all in on efficiency, Polaris will unlikely be the choice.

Yes, but if Apple cared more about efficiency than price, they wouldn't have switched to AMD in the first place. We also don't know for sure at this point that Pascal will be more efficient.

 

[dacostafilipe]

Having two foundries (Samsung and GF) could also be a reason to stay with AMD.

 

[MeldarthX]

Apple switched because of Opencl; AMD is far better than Nvidia period and that's not going to change any time soon.

 

[Glo.]

I stand corrected! Although they have shipped with NV most of the time in recent history so a more accurate statement would be to say, they will most likely continue with what they have been doing most of the time lately.

Secondly, AFAIK, AMD got the contract mostly because of price, not because they were more efficient. And if Apple wanted to go all in on efficiency, Polaris will unlikely be the choice.

AMD got the contract, because every single GPU from Nvidia failed in Apple computers: GT8600M, 9400M, GT330M, GT650M in Retina Macbook Pros, 8800GS or something in iMac's years ago.

 

[nvgpu]

http://arstechnica.com/apple/2014/0...with-amd-gpus-experiencing-hardware-failures/

http://www.macrumors.com/2014/10/28/macbook-pro-2011-graphics-lawsuit/

http://www.macrumors.com/2013/08/16...eplacement-program-for-mid-2011-27-inch-imac/

The only failures are AMD GPUs and obviously AMD defense force choose to ignore the facts as usual.

 

[Jakobx]

If Pascal retains its efficiency advantage, and all indications are that it will, it'll make more sense to continue with Nvidia unless AMD can compete by bleeding themselves (even more) to death.

What exactly are those indications that pascal will be more energy efficient? We have yet to see any real numbers from either camp.

 

[Glo.]

And replacement programs on all of that Nvidia GPUs that I said were what?

 

[stahlhart]

Glo., nvgpu: you're not on topic, and derailing this thread. Stop it, now.
-- stahlhart

 

[zlatan]

Apple switched because of Opencl; AMD is far better than Nvidia period and that's not going to change any time soon.

They switched for FirePro because of OpenCL, but the main reason for the full switch is Metal. Intel GENx, and AMD GCNx is well documented for Apple to write a Metal drivers for these architectures. On the other hand they don't able to create a first class support for NV, because the lack of documentation. Apple won't care too much about OpenGL, OpenCL, Vulkan, anything. They are now focusing to the Metal API.

 

[Kenmitch]

Polaris looks interesting so far. Performance per watt is cool, but I lean more towards performance per $.

http://arstechnica.com/apple/2014/01/report-some-2011-macbook-pros-with-amd-gpus-experiencing-hardware-failures/

http://www.macrumors.com/2014/10/28/macbook-pro-2011-graphics-lawsuit/

http://www.macrumors.com/2013/08/16/apple-initiates-graphic-card-replacement-program-for-mid-2011-27-inch-imac/

The only failures are AMD GPUs and obviously AMD defense force choose to ignore the facts as usual.

Your off topic....Maybe you should go google NVidia bumpgate while your looking for examples of gpu failures.

 

[NTMBK]

Yup, Apple already use AMD across the board. Macbook Pro, iMac, Mac Pro. It's all either Intel integrated or AMD.

 

[tviceman]

See, that's what you're missing. Current 17-inch Macbook Pros use the R9 M370X as the dGPU option. They likely switched for a reason, so i don't know why they would switch back.

The reason: $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ the reason Apple would switch back: $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

I think Nvidia is foolish to not cut margins in certain situations, for instance selling to Apple. AMD will probably retain the next generation Mac design wins unless they are just too late to market.

 

[Flapdrol1337]

The reason: $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ the reason Apple would switch back: $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

I think Nvidia is foolish to not cut margins in certain situations, for instance selling to Apple. AMD will probably retain the next generation Mac design wins unless they are just too late to market.

maxwell doesn't have as big of a lead when it comes to performance/watt in compute tasks. For gaming laptops maxwell is a big advantage, but apple doesn't care about that.

As long as amd keeps charging reasonable prices their gpu's will probably stay.

 

[3DVagabond]

Apple switched because of Opencl; AMD is far better than Nvidia period and that's not going to change any time soon.

This...

They switched for FirePro because of OpenCL, but the main reason for the full switch is Metal. Intel GENx, and AMD GCNx is well documented for Apple to write a Metal drivers for these architectures. On the other hand they don't able to create a first class support for NV, because the lack of documentation. Apple won't care too much about OpenGL, OpenCL, Vulkan, anything. They are now focusing to the Metal API.

...and especially this.

The reason: $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ the reason Apple would switch back: $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

I think Nvidia is foolish to not cut margins in certain situations, for instance selling to Apple. AMD will probably retain the next generation Mac design wins unless they are just too late to market.

Apple is more about the "Apple experience".

 

[Silverforce11]

They switched for FirePro because of OpenCL, but the main reason for the full switch is Metal. Intel GENx, and AMD GCNx is well documented for Apple to write a Metal drivers for these architectures. On the other hand they don't able to create a first class support for NV, because the lack of documentation. Apple won't care too much about OpenGL, OpenCL, Vulkan, anything. They are now focusing to the Metal API.

Exactly this, it was discussed awhile back that Apple considers Metal to be a success for iOS and so they are pushing it into OSX itself.

Metal is a subset of Mantle & DX12 & Vulkan, as shown by the SIGGRAPH 2015 presentation, where NV's graphics guru was part of the presentation lineup! Don't believe me? Google it and check out their presentations!

Metal + propriety OpenCL OSX = Apple has a serious stake in AMD Graphics... if AMD goes belly up, Apple can buyout RTG spin-off.

 

[Rakehellion]

See, that's what you're missing. Current 17-inch Macbook Pros use the R9 M370X as the dGPU option. They likely switched for a reason, so i don't know why they would switch back.

Probably because Nvidia's getting sued. The GTX 950M would have been better.

 

[Rakehellion]

AMD got the contract, because every single GPU from Nvidia failed in Apple computers: GT8600M, 9400M, GT330M, GT650M in Retina Macbook Pros, 8800GS or something in iMac's years ago.

Good point.

Apple switched because of Opencl; AMD is far better than Nvidia period and that's not going to change any time soon.

Radeon is better at OpenCL, but Apple has gone back and forth between them an Geforce cards for a while now, so that's a shaky commitment.

 

[Rakehellion]

http://arstechnica.com/apple/2014/0...with-amd-gpus-experiencing-hardware-failures/

http://www.macrumors.com/2014/10/28/macbook-pro-2011-graphics-lawsuit/

http://www.macrumors.com/2013/08/16...eplacement-program-for-mid-2011-27-inch-imac/

The only failures are AMD GPUs and obviously AMD defense force choose to ignore the facts as usual.

Not true.

http://www.cnet.com/news/apple-extends-macbook-pro-geforce-8600m-graphics-card-warranty/

http://www.anandtech.com/show/8994/apple-initiates-video-repair-program-for-20112013-macbook-pros