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16-Inch MacBook Pro Hands-On: Benchmark and Performance Tests
Apple's new 16-inch MacBook Pro came out last week, and the new machine features a larger display, more maximum RAM, and higher maximum storage, all features designed for Apple's pro user base.
The 16-inch MacBook Pro is using the same 9th-generation Intel processors that were used in the 15-inch MacBook Pro models released in May, but there's a new thermal architecture that Apple says boosts performance. We went hands-on with the new 16-inch MacBook Pro to test those claims, putting it through real world tests and benchmarks.
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We tested the base 8-core model, which is the higher-end model priced at $2,799. It has a 2.3GHz Intel Core i9 processor (turbo boost up to 4.8GHz), an AMD Radeon Pro 5500M GPU with 4GB GDDR6 memory, a 1TB SSD, and 16GB 2666MHz DDR4 RAM.
Starting off with Geekbench 5 testing, the 16-inch MacBook Pro outshined the similarly specced 15-inch model that was released earlier this year when it came to multi-core performance.
The 16-inch machine earned a single core score of 989 and a multi-core score of 6733, while the 15-inch machine scored 972 in the single-core test and 5781 in the multi-core test. That's an increase of 16.5 percent, which is a decent performance boost considering these machines have the same processor.
There are even more significant gains with the new 5500M GPU. In an OpenCL test, the 16-inch MacBook Pro scored 30608, compared to the 15-inch MacBook Pro's score of 17904, and in a Metal test, the 16-inch MacBook Pro scored a 29840 vs. the 15-inch MacBook Pro's score of 19065.
Combined, the updated GPU and the new thermal architecture of the 16-inch MacBook Pro have brought some notable performance improvements. Of course, benchmarks aren't reflective of real world usage, so we also did some testing of apps pro users might take advantage of.
In Final Cut Pro X, we exported a five minute 4K video while also running other apps at the same time to test export conditions under heavy RAM usage. The export took two minutes and 35 seconds, half the time of the video.
Conducting the same test in Premiere Pro (with apps like Safari and QuickTime running) the five minute video took three minutes and five seconds to export. These times are similar to what we see with a baseline 2017 iMac Pro.
We also tested Photoshop with multiple other apps open in the background, including Safari with a ton of tabs. The machine was using upwards of 70 percent of the 16GB RAM, but performance was solid with no issues. The fans kicked in of course, but that's to be expected.
It's worth noting that in these tests, the MacBook Pro got just as hot as other i9 MacBook Pros that experienced thermal issues in the past, but power and performance were not throttled per the Intel Power app.
All in all, the new 16-inch MacBook Pro is performing well, and the updated thermal architecture has indeed had a significant positive effect on power management and thermal regulation. The 16-inch MacBook Pro is speedy, stable, and a solid option for the pro user base these machines are designed for.
What do you think of the 16-inch MacBook Pro's performance? Let us know in the comments.
The 16-inch MacBook Pro is using the same 9th-generation Intel processors that were used in the 15-inch MacBook Pro models released in May, but there's a new thermal architecture that Apple says boosts performance. We went hands-on with the new 16-inch MacBook Pro to test those claims, putting it through real world tests and benchmarks.
We tested the base 8-core model, which is the higher-end model priced at $2,799. It has a 2.3GHz Intel Core i9 processor (turbo boost up to 4.8GHz), an AMD Radeon Pro 5500M GPU with 4GB GDDR6 memory, a 1TB SSD, and 16GB 2666MHz DDR4 RAM.
Starting off with Geekbench 5 testing, the 16-inch MacBook Pro outshined the similarly specced 15-inch model that was released earlier this year when it came to multi-core performance.
The 16-inch machine earned a single core score of 989 and a multi-core score of 6733, while the 15-inch machine scored 972 in the single-core test and 5781 in the multi-core test. That's an increase of 16.5 percent, which is a decent performance boost considering these machines have the same processor.
There are even more significant gains with the new 5500M GPU. In an OpenCL test, the 16-inch MacBook Pro scored 30608, compared to the 15-inch MacBook Pro's score of 17904, and in a Metal test, the 16-inch MacBook Pro scored a 29840 vs. the 15-inch MacBook Pro's score of 19065.
Combined, the updated GPU and the new thermal architecture of the 16-inch MacBook Pro have brought some notable performance improvements. Of course, benchmarks aren't reflective of real world usage, so we also did some testing of apps pro users might take advantage of.
In Final Cut Pro X, we exported a five minute 4K video while also running other apps at the same time to test export conditions under heavy RAM usage. The export took two minutes and 35 seconds, half the time of the video.
Conducting the same test in Premiere Pro (with apps like Safari and QuickTime running) the five minute video took three minutes and five seconds to export. These times are similar to what we see with a baseline 2017 iMac Pro.
We also tested Photoshop with multiple other apps open in the background, including Safari with a ton of tabs. The machine was using upwards of 70 percent of the 16GB RAM, but performance was solid with no issues. The fans kicked in of course, but that's to be expected.
It's worth noting that in these tests, the MacBook Pro got just as hot as other i9 MacBook Pros that experienced thermal issues in the past, but power and performance were not throttled per the Intel Power app.
All in all, the new 16-inch MacBook Pro is performing well, and the updated thermal architecture has indeed had a significant positive effect on power management and thermal regulation. The 16-inch MacBook Pro is speedy, stable, and a solid option for the pro user base these machines are designed for.
What do you think of the 16-inch MacBook Pro's performance? Let us know in the comments.
Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Caution)
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Top Rated Comments
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14 weeks ago
Wow thats fast! But not as fast as the MacBook Pro 2020 model
14 weeks ago
Here are my thoughts on the new MacBook Pro. I love the increased speed and greater RAM offering, but I'm going wait for the Mac lineup to start featuring Face ID before I make any sort of upgrade. I also think at the current price point of MacBook Pros, it should feature an upgraded camera. A 720p camera is not "Pro" and doesn't cut it in 2019. Other than that, I really like the improvements Apple has made and it is a step in the right direction.
14 weeks ago
I love the performance of the new MacBook Pro. It's a fantastic machine. Really glad I ordered it.
14 weeks ago
Happy to see all the positive reviews and comments about the new 16" MBP. I'm still rocking my 15" 2018 MBP and it's great for what I do. (mainly computer/network support and writing) Also I actually like the feel of the butterfly mechanism keyboard and have had no issues with it. Anyway, one question:
I see all these complaints about the 720p camera. Just curious what do you all use the laptop mounted camera for? I do Skype and Zoom and FaceTime and it's been totally fine. Nobody has complained about the image quality. Do you guys use something special that needs a higher rez cam? Or is it just the idea that a $2400 plus computer "only" has a 720p cam. Just not sure what the complaints about it are. I would like it to have Face ID eventually just for convenience but otherwise, quality seems fine.
I see all these complaints about the 720p camera. Just curious what do you all use the laptop mounted camera for? I do Skype and Zoom and FaceTime and it's been totally fine. Nobody has complained about the image quality. Do you guys use something special that needs a higher rez cam? Or is it just the idea that a $2400 plus computer "only" has a 720p cam. Just not sure what the complaints about it are. I would like it to have Face ID eventually just for convenience but otherwise, quality seems fine.
14 weeks ago
I ordered a maxed out (well, all but the SSD, 4TB there is still 3x more than I need) 16" when they launched and it arrived today, two days early. I was using a maxed out mid-2018 15" MBP and this thing is *noticeably* faster in everyday use so far. My big reason for the upgrade was my work, where I edit lots of high-resolution photos on a LG SuperFine 5K display (and the new Pro XDR soon!). Adobe Lightroom has been dogging since version 8.4 moved a lot of processing to the GPU (they say you can turn that off, but doing so has no effect on performance problems introduced with version 8.4). With the new 16" it's zipping along really fast. I also do a lot of image stacking using Helicon Focus and timing the same stacks of images, the new machine is easily twice as fast, and on some stacks it finishes the jobs in 1/4 the time of my previous machine.
I'm loving the extra screen real estate. It's not immediately obvious but after 4-5 hours on the new machine, going back to the old 15" it was immediately noticeable. I actually didn't have problems with the previous keyboard after the first version was updated, but again, after going back from using the 16" I am appreciating the reversion to a keyboard with greater "feel" and depth to the keystrokes.
If upgrading from a very powerful mid-2018 machine is this noticeable, some of you on the much older machines will see a huge performance difference. BTW, the extra size is barely noticeable vs. the 15" MBP.
I'm loving the extra screen real estate. It's not immediately obvious but after 4-5 hours on the new machine, going back to the old 15" it was immediately noticeable. I actually didn't have problems with the previous keyboard after the first version was updated, but again, after going back from using the 16" I am appreciating the reversion to a keyboard with greater "feel" and depth to the keystrokes.
If upgrading from a very powerful mid-2018 machine is this noticeable, some of you on the much older machines will see a huge performance difference. BTW, the extra size is barely noticeable vs. the 15" MBP.
14 weeks ago
The updated thermals and bigger battery in this machine are the big plusses beyond having a non-terrible keyboard.
A very worthwhile update to the MBP line.
A very worthwhile update to the MBP line.
14 weeks ago
My thoughts on this machine is that it isnt perfect, but it is definitely worth purchasing it in the name of positive reinforcement!
If you are training a dog, you give him a treat when he starts to do the right thing. Yeah, the touchbar still seems like im paying extra for something i dont want, but overall, this machine is literally what i asked for!
Awhile back i submitted feedback to Apple, saying i wanted a macbook pro that is bigger, heavier, and has an ESC key and better keyboard. And that is exactly what they came up with this time. I would still prefer they return all the function keys. I mean, a tactile, dedicated button is always better than a virtual button on a touch screen...
(Oh yeah, this is almost exactly the configuration im looking at, and the geekbench result is just a hair better than 2x the speed of my 2013 2.3ghz (4 core) machine. My rule has been to upgrade when a new machine is 2x the speed of my old one, so I pretty much have to buy one now.)
If you are training a dog, you give him a treat when he starts to do the right thing. Yeah, the touchbar still seems like im paying extra for something i dont want, but overall, this machine is literally what i asked for!
Awhile back i submitted feedback to Apple, saying i wanted a macbook pro that is bigger, heavier, and has an ESC key and better keyboard. And that is exactly what they came up with this time. I would still prefer they return all the function keys. I mean, a tactile, dedicated button is always better than a virtual button on a touch screen...
(Oh yeah, this is almost exactly the configuration im looking at, and the geekbench result is just a hair better than 2x the speed of my 2013 2.3ghz (4 core) machine. My rule has been to upgrade when a new machine is 2x the speed of my old one, so I pretty much have to buy one now.)
14 weeks ago
I saw the the Blackmagic disk speed test in the image but you did not include that in the video.
14 weeks ago
Just imagine the possibilities if AAPL continues with its new enlightened approach of allowing more thickness to its devices. Even more battery life, better thermals and performance, and perhaps even some additional useful ports.
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