How much does the GPU matter for music production?
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- KVRer
- 17 posts since 22 Nov, 2020
I'm planning on buying a MacBook Pro as soon as the next generation of chips come out and have heard rumors about there possibly being GPU upgrade options. If I don't game or do any visual work, will that make any difference for music stuff? I use Logic and Bitwig and am looking for smooth graphical performance with high track-count projects on an external monitor (possibly 4k but currently not). I'll likely be upping the RAM/storage, and obviously want the best CPU available, just not sure how GPU factors into the equation, if at all.
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- KVRAF
- 4589 posts since 7 Jun, 2012 from Warsaw
It doesn't matter. Any GPU - integrated or not - will handle any 2D stuff you display on a screen, including multiple monitors.
GPUs are only for gaming or some uses such as rendering / video editing.
GPUs are only for gaming or some uses such as rendering / video editing.
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Tricky-Loops wrote: (...)someone like Armin van Buuren who claims to make a track in half an hour and all his songs sound somewhat boring(...)
Tricky-Loops wrote: (...)someone like Armin van Buuren who claims to make a track in half an hour and all his songs sound somewhat boring(...)
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- KVRAF
- 26033 posts since 20 Oct, 2007 from gonesville
there is at least one plugin I use where I require that 8GB VRAM the latest intel specs out w., but my recall is shot. but I found it was a fortunate choice to go for the higher end.
is a specific use case attendant to this future chip? some people doing big pro work in video might have one in mind. but generally I'm seeing video-centric people pleased as punch with M1 entry-level out of the box.
I'd ask someone at Apple via chat.
is a specific use case attendant to this future chip? some people doing big pro work in video might have one in mind. but generally I'm seeing video-centric people pleased as punch with M1 entry-level out of the box.
I'd ask someone at Apple via chat.
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- KVRAF
- 26033 posts since 20 Oct, 2007 from gonesville
I have reason to suspect the difference between the two in the build I'm using is meaningful in my use case strictly from my DAW use. This HAS to depend on the software, not all things are designed the same.DJ Warmonger wrote: Sun Jun 06, 2021 4:47 pm It doesn't matter. Any GPU - integrated or not - will ...
Speculation on some future rumored chip, IDK.
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- KVRAF
- 3506 posts since 12 May, 2011
Waves plugins, a couple of years ago at least, required a bit more gpu. Else you'd end up with blank windows. Don't know if it's still the case.
Same with plugins that use opengl.
Same with plugins that use opengl.
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- KVRAF
- 9531 posts since 6 Oct, 2004
When U-he's linux versions started appearing, a video card was better than a chip,
the complex gui's are a step above generic 2d work that lacks on-screen wave draws, envelope controls, movable knobs, dials and sliders etc. There are a few nice plugins that won't open their gui in linux/wine, and looking at errors in terminal output, it's often shaders and other graphics capabilities that are not fully supported in an open-source driver, or fully functional in nvidia's own official linux 3D driver.
Fathom is working hard on getting nvidia card gpu cycles to work on his synths more power-hungry features. Hopefully will arrive in time for Christmas
Cheers
the complex gui's are a step above generic 2d work that lacks on-screen wave draws, envelope controls, movable knobs, dials and sliders etc. There are a few nice plugins that won't open their gui in linux/wine, and looking at errors in terminal output, it's often shaders and other graphics capabilities that are not fully supported in an open-source driver, or fully functional in nvidia's own official linux 3D driver.
Fathom is working hard on getting nvidia card gpu cycles to work on his synths more power-hungry features. Hopefully will arrive in time for Christmas
Cheers
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- Banned
- 11467 posts since 4 Jan, 2017 from Warsaw, Poland
No, you don't need dedicated GPU for music production. The one that's embedded with your CPU - be it Intel, Apple Silicon or G-model Ryzens - is more than enough for 2D graphics displayed by DAWs and plugins, even if there's some fancy high-res knobs, sliders, waveform displays, etc.
So specifically in case of new Macbook Pros (whenever they'll announce them...) I wouldn't spend extra money on that.
So specifically in case of new Macbook Pros (whenever they'll announce them...) I wouldn't spend extra money on that.
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- KVRer
- 2 posts since 23 May, 2021
I've heard that the integrated GPU's have to use your normal RAM if you don't have a video card - will this make any difference using a DAW and a bunch of VST's or is it not enough to matter?
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- KVRAF
- 5274 posts since 2 Jul, 2005
Never had much of a problem using very low end cards (probably about as good as onboard graphics). Even a bit of gaming can he done with your included (processor based) graphics. With more and more people using openGL and such for guis I have noticed slight drag an a huge project with video alongside a few hundred tracks. I wouldn't imagine this would be an issue on a new laptop using up to date architecture. I don't know what they would charge to add a discrete GPU especially in Mac Land. If it's optional you can add it later if you decide you wanna do more graphically intense stuff.
Don't F**K with Mr. Zero.
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- KVRAF
- 26033 posts since 20 Oct, 2007 from gonesville
I'm at this point fairly confident that all my recent instability, since a version number change of Cubase, is down to graphics user switching.
so I'm forcing the cuter card by turning that switch off. I suspect a coding change at this juncture which doesn't agree with that switching.
I found something which needs can use more than the 4GB VRAM the default MBP 16,1 does, like 6 was the setting. but my addled brain lost what it was for the moment.
so I'm forcing the cuter card by turning that switch off. I suspect a coding change at this juncture which doesn't agree with that switching.
I found something which needs can use more than the 4GB VRAM the default MBP 16,1 does, like 6 was the setting. but my addled brain lost what it was for the moment.