topic Re: M4 Max or M4 Pro in Installation & update

M4 Max or M4 Pro

psmith — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 10:10:36 GMT

If you had to choose between the following - what would you choose:

M4 Max with 14 core CPU and 32 core GPU with 36GB ram w/- 410GB/s memory bandwidth
M4 Pro with 14 core CPU and 20 core GPU with 48GB ram w/- 273GB/s memory bandwidth

Both are roughly the same price. (its another $750 to get the Max with 48GB...

My current 5yr old PC laptop has 64GB Ram - it appears to be rarely all used. It rarely pops over 50% - even with 4 archicad models open, one large revit file a dozen Chrome windows (that seem to take up the most RAM)...

Will the faster bandwidth and faster GPU be more useful / better than the RAM?

My daily work is probably 30% archicad use using teamwork files that are >1G... large apartment buildings, complex houses and urban projects... don't do much twinmotion rendering... spend lots of time cutting 2d and 3d sections... viewing different parts of the model to check and make quick amendments.

Operating system used: Mac Apple Silicon

Re: M4 Max or M4 Pro

Laszlo Nagy — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 02:48:50 GMT

Memory in an Apple silicon cannot be compared apples-to-apples to memory in a pc because an Apple silicon is a SoC (System on a chip), meaning it is not only the CPU, but other components as well, like the GPU, memory, etc. So, the CPU, GPU, and memory are all on a single chip, and what is important is that the CPU and the GPU are using the same 36 GB or 48 GB of memory (it is called Unified Memory).

So, if you say you need 32 GB RAM for the CPU, and maybe another 8 GB for the GPU, that is already 40 GB. Plus, you would want to future-proof it so the memory is enough 3 or 4 years from now when you may still be using this machine and newer Apple macOS versions and applications need more memory for both the CPU and GPU.

In conclusion, I would go for more memory, in this case, the 48 GB.

Re: M4 Max or M4 Pro

M4tt — Fri, 27 Dec 2024 17:46:02 GMT

Hello,

I’m facing the same choice.
I use a first gen intel mbp16 with 32gb of ram. I’ve always felt that CPU was more of a limiting factor than Ram as I can work on large files (more than 1gb) and it works fine, it’s just slow to open files and rebuild 2D sections and elevections.
I tend to think that the faster the cpu, the faster I’ll work on large files.

Anyone has any insight?

Re: M4 Max or M4 Pro

Laszlo Nagy — Fri, 27 Dec 2024 20:43:59 GMT

If the CPU is the most important factor in your work, you should look at the CPU's single-core performance. That is the more important metric for a BIM application, not multi-core performance, which is important for certain areas like rendering.

Re: M4 Max or M4 Pro

Karl Ottenstein — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 03:20:11 GMT

Memory speed will have the biggest impact comparing the two. I wouldn’t hesitate to get the max for that reason (and why we have both an M2 max and M4 max) Also, the additional GPU cores help support multiple monitors while keeping the Mac cool. We’ve never had the fan come on for either the M2 Max or M4 max MacBook Pros, each with 2 external monitors … yet the previously highest end Intel Mac was blasting heat (and noise) most of the time.

The additional cores will better support the multiple Archicad you are running. I presume you’ll still use the older PC for Revit, But, you can run Intel apps via a virtual machine (Parallels Desktop is what we use) running Windows 11 ARM on your Apple Silicon Mac. Windows 11 ARM (installed by PD) has its own emulator for Intel apps. Might check around to be sure nobody reports issues with Revit in that environment.

Re: M4 Max or M4 Pro

M4tt — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 08:58:39 GMT

Thank you Karl!

Your return is a great help.
Following your experience, the base m4 max (highest I can afford) could run smoothly?

Apple M4 Max with CPU 14 cores, GPU 32 cors and Neural Engine 16 cores
36 Go unified ram

I mainly draw houses, small schools and occasionally residential buildings of 50units.

Re: M4 Max or M4 Pro

Karl Ottenstein — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 16:10:53 GMT

Yes, it is an amazing machine and should perform well for you.

Re: M4 Max or M4 Pro

M4tt — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 17:44:46 GMT

Hi Karl,

just an update on this topic, I have purchased a base model 14 inch MBP M4 Max and it's the best MacBook I've owned so far (my fourth). It's super fast, the fans never engage except with twinmotion and even in this case it's 50% quiter than the intel MBP I've used in the past.

Can't say for the lower spec though.

Thanks for your helpful opinion.

Cheers.

Re: M4 Max or M4 Pro

psmith — Sun, 12 Jan 2025 03:41:17 GMT

Fantastic! I'm about to do the same in the next week or so.

My only concern was the 36GB RAM in that version. How many models can you open at once before the RAM max's out!

(I know part of the solution is just to open the files I am working on and not have 42 tabs open in Chrome!)

Re: M4 Max or M4 Pro

ALL_Emil — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 09:35:41 GMT

Where do you experience the performance?
I often experience waiting time when updating sections (with engineers' IFC turned on), publishing, updating schedules. My impressions is the that many of the processes i my work is single-core and that my CPU is not that good in single core performance.
I work medium to large projects in teamwork files: apartment buildings, museums, spa. (Eg. 260K polygon 3gb solo file.)

Your insight is much appreciated.

Re: M4 Max or M4 Pro

Karl Ottenstein — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:37:57 GMT

@ALL_Emil what are your machine specs?

Re: M4 Max or M4 Pro

EmilSS — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 18:12:14 GMT

I'm sorry. I thought you could see it in my signature. I have a 16" M1 Pro 16gb for fun. This is my current workstation specs:

CPU: i9-14900K @ 3.2Ghz,
GPU: GeForce RTX 4070 super (12GB),
SSD: WD Black SN77 2TB.
RAM: 64GB (4200MT/s), Windows 11

Macbooks are the obvious choice for laptops, with no serious competition. I'm curious about workstations. Whether or not windows workstations like mine offer more value for money. Does Apple have a competitive chip now or are we still paying extra (for the better user experience)? The current workstation is in the same price range as the basic Mac Studio (I expect the Mac Studio M4 Max to have the same price).

Graphisofts system requirements is not elaborative enough for me: https://graphisoft.com/resources-and-support/system-requirements/

Re: M4 Max or M4 Pro

Karl Ottenstein — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 18:22:39 GMT

Sorry. My fault. I've never gotten used to this hidden signature thing requiring hovering and scrolling. 😞

An Apple M4 Max should outperform your Intel system, high end as it is. There are all kinds of benchmarks available online to compare single core performance - which is the Archicad bottleneck for certain tasks though. But given the high specs of your workstation, it would be interesting to see an actual test using Archicad if you happen to know anyone with a comparable M4 Max system.

Re: M4 Max or M4 Pro

peranda — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 12:34:51 GMT

Hi,

I am hoping for some advice here on which Mac to upgrade to.

Today:
I run an Imac 2019 8core i9, Radeon Pro Vega 48 8GB dedicated graphics and 64 GB 2667Mhz DDR4 RAM.

I also have entry level M1 Macbook Pro with 8GB RAM that I use for presentations when I meet clients. These two machines are quite similar, when it comes to performance.

I normally don´t run very complex files, and seldomly rendet. But it tends to get complicated for both machines when I Hotlink 25-30 different row houses types into a site model that also has pointcloud-landscape etc, and I am using design options for different layouts on site. Then I encounter that it takes long time to update drawings in 2D, and it also takes a lot of time to load the 3D model. I guess I am working 50% in 3D, when I work in Archicad. I experience some 3D sluggishness.

Yesterday I was thinking that an upgrade to

A) Mac Mini M4 PRO 14CPU/16GPU/24GB RAM.

But what I hear in this thread is that the 24 MB RAM is not really the correct upgrade, and that 24 GB RAM will be a limitation already today.
What I hear is that it is not especially future-proof.

I therefore have found two options:

B) I can buy a Mac Mini M4 PRO 16CPU/20GPU/64GB RAM (from a colleague that has encountered Revit troubles, and wants to sell). ,

C) I can buy Macbook M4 MAX 14CPU/32GPU/36GB RAM. That machine has less but faster RAM, More GPU cores and MAX chip. And it is also portable and carry to a meeting room without having to shut down.

Both of option B) or C) will be twice as expensive as compared to A) for me. Does anyone have a clear opinion on what I should go for? A, B og C ?

Re: M4 Max or M4 Pro

EmilSS — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 06:22:56 GMT

Here are my thoughts and I'm not an expert.

The Mac line up now has many great options. The Mac base models are the best value for money on the market.

M4 are great but limited. M4 pro is capable of doing professional work but slow.

M4 max is for professionals who doesn't have time to sit and wait for the computer. The extra money spent is easily earned back with increased productivity.

I would spend some extra money and go for the max. Either base model studio or MacBook Pro max. The base model Mac studio is cheaper than your option B. If you can afford 64gb ram then it's better than 36gb. If you need a laptop, then get the MacBook Pro M4 max. It's the best laptop in the world. Windows computers with a similar performance is the same price.

Re: M4 Max or M4 Pro

ryejuan — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 07:23:38 GMT

have you guys tried running Archicad on an macbook air?

Re: M4 Max or M4 Pro

EmilSS — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 08:24:19 GMT

I have not. Many processes in Archicad are using single core CPU and will benefit from the fast M4 single core performance. I think it works well on small projects.

Re: M4 Max or M4 Pro

xMattx — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 08:38:27 GMT

It works flawlessly for light work with simple models where you don't have too many objects, even for section and elevation on an M1 MacBook Air we have at the studio.

My new MBP base M4 max is a rocket with any model, it handles bigger files like a 60 appartment project like a charm.

Re: M4 Max or M4 Pro

ryejuan — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 08:43:28 GMT

Thanks for the info, I was thinking of getting the latest MacBook Air but still not sure in term of performance like doing a 500sqm houses with complete drawings and details embedded inside.

Re: M4 Max or M4 Pro

psmith — Sun, 15 Jun 2025 12:49:20 GMT

Just as an update - I ended up buying the M4 Max with the 36gB of RAM.
I'm a sloppy user and often have lots of windows open at once and often 3-5 archicad files open at once.. Not once have I had to wait for anything in archicad - everything is almost instant... there are a few times where I've had the rainbow wheel - but not really for more than a few seconds.

As for RAM use.... Archicad uses a bit - but I run PARALLELS for our PIM software and outlook - and that uses a good 10-15GB.
Mac's are excellent in managing RAM and when you are not using a program it frees up the RAM for the programs you are using. If I want peace of mind then I just close Parallels and RAM use is fine! I colleague has an M2 Max with 96GB Ram - we can open the same models (large ones) - Archicad chews through his RAM but my M4 is way faster on things like drawing updates, opening files, changing views etc..

I can't compare to my alternative M4Pro with more RAM - as I did not buy it!. (see initial post).. As I was doing my research I did see a comparison of someone the M4 Pro and other variations macinteract - Apple M4 Pro and Archicad

Personally I would go for the MacBook Pro over the Air if it is going to by your daily workhorse unless you are just doing small projects. I have used archicad on the M1 Air - I had no problems - but it was only occasional use.