MacBook Pro Performance Comparison: GT 750M vs Iris Pro vs GT 650M

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Pricing and Specifications of Current Generation MacBook Pros
3. Performance Comparison: Iris Pro vs GT 750m
   • 3.1 Multi-core Performance
   • 3.2 Single-core Performance
4. Benchmark Tests
   • 4.1 Cinebench r15
   • 4.2 Luxmark 2.1
   • 4.3 Unigine Valley 1.0
   • 4.4 Blackmagic Disk Speed Test
   • 4.5 File Duplication Test
   • 4.6 Drive Benchmark in Photoshop CC
   • 4.7 Aperture 3.5 Performance
   • 4.8 Handbrake 64-bit Edition
   • 4.9 iMovie 10 Performance
   • 4.10 Final Cut Pro 10 Performance
5. Conclusion
6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Performance Comparison: Iris Pro vs GT 750m

When it comes to choosing a MacBook Pro, there are several factors to consider, including pricing, specifications, and most importantly, performance. In this comparison, we will be taking a closer look at the performance difference between the Intel Iris Pro integrated graphics and the NVIDIA GeForce GT 750m dedicated graphics on the MacBook Pro.

2. Pricing and Specifications of Current Generation MacBook Pros

Before diving into the performance aspect, let's first discuss the pricing and specifications of the current generation MacBook Pros. The baseline model, priced at around $2,000, offers a two gigahertz quad-core i7 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of PCIE-based flash storage. However, this model only includes the Intel Iris Pro integrated graphics, without a dedicated GPU.

For an additional $600, you can upgrade to a model with a faster 2.3 gigahertz quad-core i7 CPU, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. The notable difference is that this upgraded model also includes the dedicated GeForce GT 750m with 2GB of video memory, in addition to the Iris Pro graphics.

It's worth mentioning that Apple allows custom configurations, where you can add the GeForce GT 750m to the baseline model. However, the price would remain the same as the upgraded model Mentioned earlier.

3. Performance Comparison: Iris Pro vs GT 750m

Now, let's get down to the main point of comparison - the performance. We will be evaluating various benchmark tests to understand how the Iris Pro and GT 750m stack up against each other.

3.1 Multi-core Performance

In terms of multi-core performance, the GT 750m-equipped MacBook Pro outperforms both the previous generation Ivy Bridge MacBook Pro with the GT 650m and the current generation baseline MacBook Pro with the Iris Pro integrated graphics. The GT 750m model achieves a multi-core score of nearly 14,000, showcasing its superiority.

3.2 Single-core Performance

While the difference in single-core performance wasn't as significant, which is expected due to the nature of the test, the GT 750m MacBook Pro still manages to outperform both the previous generation MacBook Pro and the current baseline model.

4. Benchmark Tests

To further analyze the performance difference between the Iris Pro and GT 750m, we conducted several benchmark tests, including Cinebench r15, Luxmark 2.1, Unigine Valley 1.0, Blackmagic Disk Speed Test, file duplication test, drive benchmark in Photoshop CC, Aperture 3.5 performance, Handbrake 64-bit edition, iMovie 10 performance, and Final Cut Pro 10 performance.

4.1 Cinebench r15

In the Cinebench r15 benchmark, the GT 750m MacBook Pro surpasses both the Iris Pro-only MacBook Pro and the previous generation MacBook Pro with the GT 650m.

4.2 Luxmark 2.1

Luxmark 2.1, a test measuring OpenCL performance, showcases the Iris Pro graphics outperforming both the GT 650m and GT 750m. However, the GT 750m brings the advantage of having both the Iris Pro and dedicated graphics, resulting in higher scores when combined.

4.3 Unigine Valley 1.0

When it comes to gaming performance, the GT 750m MacBook Pro shows a slight improvement over the GT 650m MacBook Pro. However, the difference is not significant, indicating that both models can handle gaming quite well.

4.4 Blackmagic Disk Speed Test

The Blackmagic Disk Speed Test reveals that both the baseline and upgraded MacBook Pro models deliver similar performance. However, both models perform significantly better than the previous generation MacBook Pro with the GT 650m.

4.5 File Duplication Test

In a real-world performance test involving file duplication, both the baseline and upgraded MacBook Pro models exhibit similar performance, once again outperforming the previous generation MacBook Pro.

4.6 Drive Benchmark in Photoshop CC

The GT 750m MacBook Pro excels in drive benchmark tests conducted in Photoshop CC, surpassing the other two models in terms of performance.

4.7 Aperture 3.5 Performance

In terms of Aperture 3.5 performance, all three models perform closely, with the GT 750m MacBook Pro holding a slight advantage.

4.8 Handbrake 64-bit Edition

The Handbrake 64-bit Edition test results indicate that there isn't a significant difference in performance between the three models.

4.9 iMovie 10 Performance

When exporting a three-minute project in iMovie 10, there is a noticeable improvement in performance with the GT 750m MacBook Pro, reducing export time compared to the other two models.

4.10 Final Cut Pro 10 Performance

In Final Cut Pro 10, the GT 750m MacBook Pro demonstrates a significant advantage, especially when handling intensive tasks like stabilizing and adding effects to Video Clips. The GT 750m outperforms both the baseline MacBook Pro and the previous generation MacBook Pro.

5. Conclusion

Based on our performance comparison, it is evident that the GT 750m-equipped MacBook Pro delivers superior performance compared to both the Iris Pro-only MacBook Pro and the previous generation MacBook Pro with the GT 650m. While the Iris Pro graphics hold their own in certain tests, having the GT 750m as an additional graphics option provides a significant boost in overall performance, especially in gaming and video editing tasks.

Whether it's for professional use or casual entertainment, the GT 750m MacBook Pro offers a more robust and capable performance that justifies its higher price tag. If you prioritize seamless multitasking, smooth gaming, and efficient video editing, the GT 750m-equipped MacBook Pro is the ideal choice.

6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I upgrade the graphics card on a MacBook Pro? A1: No, Apple laptops do not allow for the graphics card to be upgraded. The graphics card is integrated into the motherboard.

Q2: Is the GT 750m MacBook Pro worth the extra cost? A2: If you engage in tasks that require intensive graphics processing, such as gaming or video editing, the GT 750m MacBook Pro is definitely worth the extra cost. It provides a noticeable performance boost compared to the baseline model with Iris Pro graphics.

Q3: Can I add the GT 750m graphics card to the baseline model of MacBook Pro? A3: Yes, you can customize the baseline model to include the GT 750m graphics card. However, the price would be the same as the upgraded model, which already includes the GT 750m.

Q4: What are the advantages of the Iris Pro graphics? A4: The Iris Pro integrated graphics are capable of handling everyday tasks smoothly and efficiently. They also consume less power, resulting in improved battery life compared to a dedicated graphics card.

Q5: Does the GT 750m MacBook Pro support external displays? A5: Yes, the GT 750m MacBook Pro supports external displays. It can handle multiple high-resolution displays without any performance issues.

Resources:

• Cinebench
• Luxmark
• Unigine
• Blackmagic Design
• Handbrake
• Apple iMovie
• Apple Final Cut Pro