Video Demos 8 GB to 16 GB Performance Differences Apple M1 MacBook Pro

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 demonstrating the difference between a machine with 8GB of RAM and the upgraded 16GB RAM option, but Max Tech today shared a video highlighting the performance between a MacBook Pro. 8 GB and a 16 GB MacBook Pro.

The video includes a series of benchmark tests, ranging from Geekbench and Cinebench to RAW export tests. The Geekbench and Cinebench benchmarks did not show a difference in performance between the 8GB and 16GB models, but other tests designed to maximize RAM usage showed some differences.

A Max Tech Xcode benchmark that mimics the build code saw the 16GB model score 122 against the 136 rated by the 8GB model, with the lower score better.

The biggest difference was seen in an 8K RAW R3D to 4K export, which took 13.57 seconds for the 8GB MacBook Pro, while the 16GB MacBook Pro was able to complete it in 5.59 seconds, a comparable time. at Core 16 inch 2019. i9 MacBook Pro with 32 GB of RAM.

Small differences were also seen in a 4K export test and a Lightroom Classic RAW export test, but the results were quite close, dropping to 17 seconds in the Lightroom test. The 16GB model even beat a $ 2,300 iMac.

Notably, during these performance tests, Max Tech saw low performance temperatures that did not often require the fans to start, which was a huge difference when comparing M1 MacBook Pro models to Intel MacBook Pro models. .

Max Tech’s video is worth watching in its entirety for those trying to decide between a machine with 8 GB of RAM and a machine with 16 GB of RAM. There seem to be some minor performance differences when it comes to benchmarking, especially with heavy system tasks, but in everyday use the 8GB model holds up well and most people may not have. be no need to upgrade from 16gb.