Apple M1X with 32-core GPU could match GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop graphics performance at 43% of the power cost according to astonishing estimates

Dave Lee from the highly popular YouTube tech channel Dave2D has offered up some astonishing estimates for the M1X in terms of graphics performance. While the current M1 Apple Silicon has had to make do with a 7-core or 8-core GPU, rumors and reports have pointed to the M1X having 16-core and even 32-core GPU options. Lee opines that the increased core count will mean the M1X (or whatever Apple names the M1 successor) will feature a much larger package size and will, of course, require more power and a stronger cooling system.

The TechTuber reasons that the Apple MacBook Pro 14 would be able to support an M1X with 16-core GPU whereas it will be the MacBook Pro 16 that might offer an additional 32-core GPU option. The larger footprint of the MacBook Pro 16 will allow for a sufficiently sized battery and the requisite cooling system. So the 2021 MacBook Pro laptops will consume more power than M1-based devices, with the M1X with 16-core GPU needing an estimated 20 W and the 32-core GPU SoC drawing on an estimated 40 W.

Keeping these power draw figures in mind, Lee compared the 16-core and 32-core GPU Apple Silicon with the M1, GTX 1650, Radeon Pro 5500M, and GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU. The benchmark used for the comparison was GFXBench 5.0 Aztec @1440p. The results and estimates can be seen in the image posted below, but what is immediately striking is that the FPS estimate for the 32-core GPU M1X is at the same level as the RTX 3070 dGPU – at less than half of the power requirement.

While the power cost of these impressive graphics performance estimates is very attractive for the 16-core and 32-core GPU M1X SoCs, Lee reckons the cost of the actual devices that will sport the 2021 Apple Silicon will be much higher than many expect. There is a strong belief that the M1X MacBook Pro 14 and MacBook Pro 16 will be announced at WWDC 2021, which starts on Monday, June 7.

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