Technology

Apple’s charts set the M1 Ultra up for an RTX 3090 fight it could never win

Published

2 years ago

March 17, 2022

When Apple launched the M1 Extremely — the corporate’s strongest in-house processor but and the crown jewel of its model new Mac Studio — it did so with charts boasting that the Extremely able to beating out Intel’s finest processor or Nvidia’s RTX 3090 GPU all by itself. The charts, in Apple’s latest style, have been maddeningly labeled with “relative efficiency” on the Y-axis, and Apple doesn’t inform us what particular assessments it runs to reach at no matter numbers it makes use of to then calculate “relative efficiency.”

However now that we’ve got a Mac Studio, we are able to say that in most assessments, the M1 Extremely isn’t truly quicker than an RTX 3090, as a lot as Apple want to say it’s.

To listen to Apple inform it, the M1 Extremely is a miracle of silicon, one that mixes the {hardware} of two M1 Max processors for a single chipset that’s nothing lower than the “world’s strongest chip for a private pc.” And in case you simply checked out Apple’s charts, you is perhaps tempted to purchase into these claims.

On the chart right here, the M1 Extremely does beat out the RTX 3090 system for “relative” GPU efficiency whereas drawing vastly much less energy. It’s a fantastic achievement!

However that’s as a result of Apple’s chart is, for lack of a greater time period, cropped. The corporate solely exhibits the face to face for the areas the place the M1 Extremely and the RTX 3090 are aggressive towards one another, and it’s true: in these circumstances, you’ll get extra bang in your buck with the M1 Extremely than you’ll on an RTX 3090.

However what the chart doesn’t present is that whereas the M1 Extremely’s line kind of stops there, the RTX 3090 has a lot extra energy that it could possibly draw on — simply take a fast have a look at a number of the benchmarks from The Verge’s overview:

*The Verge’s M1 Extremely Geekbench 5 Compute benchmark*

*The Verge’s M1 Extremely* Shadow of the Tomb Raider benchmark

As you possibly can see, the M1 Extremely is a formidable piece of silicon: it handily outpaces a virtually $14,000 Mac Professional or Apple’s strongest laptop computer with ease. However plainly Apple simply merely isn’t exhibiting the complete efficiency of the competitor it’s chasing right here.

It’s type of like arguing that as a result of your electrical automotive can use dramatically much less gasoline when driving at 80 miles per hour than a Lamborghini, it has a greater engine — with out mentioning the truth that a Lambo can nonetheless go twice as quick.

And sure, it is vitally spectacular that Apple is undertaking a lot with (comparatively) so little energy. I’m certain Apple’s chart is correct in exhibiting that on the relative energy and efficiency ranges, the M1 Extremely does do barely higher than the RTX 3090 in that particular comparability. Nevertheless it’s successfully lacking the remainder of the chart the place the 3090’s line shoots well beyond the M1 Extremely (albeit whereas utilizing much more energy, too).

It feels just like the chart ought to most likely look extra like this:

*A really approximate and unscientific rendering of what an precise 3090 vs. M1 Studio comparability would possibly appear to be*

The factor is, Apple didn’t want to do all this chart chicanery: the M1 Extremely is legitimately one thing to brag about, and the truth that Apple has seamlessly managed to merge two disparate chips right into a single unit at this scale is a formidable feat whose fruits are apparently in nearly each check that my colleague Monica Chin ran for her overview.

Apple’s UltraFusion interconnect know-how right here truly does what it says on the tin and supplied almost double the M1 Max in benchmarks and efficiency assessments. Apple duct-taped two M1 Max chips collectively and truly acquired the efficiency of twice the M1 Max. No different chipmaker has ever actually pulled this off.

That’s incredible and a much more spectacular and fascinating factor for Apple to have hung out showcasing than its finest, most-bleeding edge chip beating out aged Intel processors from computer systems which have sat out the final a number of generations of chip design or fudged charts that set the M1 Extremely up for failure below real-world scrutiny.

It’s OK that Apple’s newest chip can’t beat out probably the most highly effective devoted GPU on the planet! The 3090 is sort of the dimensions of a whole Mac Studio all by itself and prices nearly a 3rd as a lot as Apple’s strongest machine. However I can’t assist however want that Apple would deal with precisely exhibiting to prospects the M1 Extremely’s precise strengths, advantages, and triumphs as an alternative of constructing charts which have us chasing after benchmarks that — deep inside — Apple has to know that it could possibly’t match. At the very least, not but.

Technology

Spotify is increasing US prices again

Published

3 hours ago

June 3, 2024

Press Room

A year after Spotify first increased the price of Spotify Premium in the US, it’s happening again. Next month subscribers to Spotify in the US will start receiving an email detailing the price increases to Premium, Duo, and Family plans. Spotify Premium will now cost $11.99 a month, up from the $10.99 increase announced last year.

If you’re a subscriber to Spotify Duo then it’s jumping $2 a month, from $14.99 to $16.99 a month. Family will also increase from $16.99 a month to $19.99 a month. That means the price of a Spotify Duo subscription has jumped by 30 percent in a year, compared to prices before last year’s hike. Spotify Family has also increased by 25 percent over the course of a year, with Spotify Premium up by 20 percent.

“So that we can continue to invest in and innovate on our product features and bring users the best experience, we occasionally update our prices,” says Spotify in a blog post announcing the price changes. “Over the next month, subscribers in the US will receive an email explaining what this update means for their subscription.”

Spotify’s email notification.

Image: Spotify

Spotify announced price hikes for its international subscribers last month, so these price increases aren’t just affecting US subscribers. Bloomberg reported last month that Spotify also reportedly still plans to launch its “Supremium” plan, with lossless streaming and other features. Some Spotify users have even noticed a Dolby Atmos logo on the app’s Now Playing screen in recent months, suggesting that this could be part of the Supremium feature set.

Technology

5 ways your iPhone can make international travel easier, safer

Published

4 hours ago

June 3, 2024

Press Room

5 ways your iPhone can make international travel easier, safer

Exploring the world is an incredible experience, but let’s be honest, international travel can sometimes be a bit of a headache. From navigating new cities to communicating in different languages, there are plenty of potential hiccups along the way.

But don’t worry, your iPhone has got your back. Whether you’re getting lost in the winding streets of Rome or trying to order food in Tokyo, your iPhone is a trusty travel companion that can help you navigate unfamiliar territories, bridge language barriers and make the most of your global adventures. Here are five ways your iPhone can make travel better and turn those potential frustrations into a breeze.

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International travel destination on iPhone screen (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

1) Notes app

The Notes app is a native app that comes with most iPhones. It can be helpful for everything from making grocery lists to a travel packing list. The best part of this app is that it is already on your iPhone; you can make these lists “checkable,” and you can share them with others. Follow these steps:

Unlock your iPhone and tap on the Notes app.
In the lower right corner, tap the note and pen icon.

Steps to use the Notes app to create and use a checklist (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Tap the capital and lowercase “A” icons to choose the font or style of your text, then tap the X in the right-hand corner.
Next, tap the checklist icon to create the bubble.
Type each item on your list and hit return after each to create a new bubble.
Tap Done in the top right corner if you are done writing your list.

Steps to use the Notes app to create and use a checklist (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Then, while you are packing, tap the bubble to check it off
A window may pop up asking, “Enable Automatic Sorting? Would you like checked items to automatically move to the bottom of your lists? You can change this later in Notes Settings.” Click either Enable Sorting or Not Now.

Steps to use the Notes app to create and use a checklist (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Here’s how to protect your Apple iPhone notes while on the road.

BEST TRAVEL ADAPTERS OF 2024

2) Translate app

Another native app on an iPhone is the Translate app. This app will not only help you communicate with others in languages other than your native tongue. Follow these steps:

Unlock your iPhone and tap on the Translate app.
You can select the languages you desire at the top if they aren’t already set to the languages you desire. Your language should come first and the desired translated language second. Use the drop-down menu to select a language otherwise.
Tap directly where it says Enter text, then hit Go or tap the microphone icon to speak the words you want to be translated and it will populate automatically.

Steps to use the Translate app (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

You can see the result in the written word and hit the play icon if you want to hear the translated word.

Steps to use the Translate app (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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In a recent iOS update, Apple introduced a nifty feature that allows you to translate languages instantly, without even opening the Translate app. This feature utilizes the “Dynamic Island,” a pill-shaped area at the top of the iPhone screen that can change size and shape to accommodate various types of alerts, notifications and interactions, turning it into a kind of front-and-center information hub. The Dynamic Island feature is available on the iPhone 15 models, which includes the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. To learn more, check out our article on how to turn your iPhone into an instant foreign language translator.

THE APP THAT LETS YOU HAVE A LIVE CONVERSATION IN ANY LANGUAGE EVEN IF YOU DON’T SPEAK A WORD OF IT

3) Text scanner

With iOS 15 or later, you can use your iPhone’s built-in camera to scan any text. This is especially great for translating text written in a foreign language. You can choose to copy, select, look up, translate or share any text you scan. Follow these steps:

Unlock your iPhone and tap on the Camera app
Put the object or text within view
Give it a moment, but a yellow frame should appear, allowing you to detect the text.
Options should populate above the yellow frame, tap the arrow to get to more options.

Steps to use the text scanner (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Tap Translate, and it will open the translate function in another window.
It automatically detects the language it is originally in and offers a translation into another language, which you can change using the drop-down menu.

Steps to use the text scanner (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

BEST TRAVEL GEAR FOR 2024

4) Sharing your location for international travel with iPhone

When traveling abroad, being able to share your location with friends and family back home can provide peace of mind and make it easier to coordinate meetups or share your whereabouts. The iPhone offers a convenient way to do this through the built-in Location Sharing feature. Follow these steps:

Using Apple ID for Location Sharing

Open the Settings app on your iPhone
Tap on your name at the top of the Settings menu.
Tape Find My
Tap on the Share My Location toggle to turn it on.

Steps to share your location for international travel with iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

After enabling location sharing, you can select contacts with whom you want to share your location. You can do this by going into the Find My app.
Selecting People
Next, tap on the + sign
Then select Share My Location
Select the contact or contacts with whom you want to share your location
Then tap Send
You can also set a duration for how long you want to share your location with each contact.
Then tap OK

MORE: HOW TO PROTECT AN IPHONE, IPAD FROM MALWARE

Steps to share your location for international travel with iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

By sharing your location while traveling internationally, your loved ones can easily keep track of your whereabouts, ensuring your safety and making it easier to coordinate meetups or activities during your trip. This feature can be particularly useful when exploring unfamiliar areas or if you get separated from your travel companions.

10 WAYS TECH CAN MAKE YOUR VACATION A WHOLE LOT BETTER

5) Emergency services

It is a worst-case scenario to find yourself in a dangerous or life-threatening situation while traveling internationally. Time is of the absolute essence, so if you don’t have time to call or explain your condition, have a quick and easy way to alert your trusted contacts and let them know where you are and how they can help you.

Fortunately, there is a shortcut called the “In Case of Emergency” shortcut. This shortcut can send a message to your emergency contacts with your location and display a message on your screen with any relevant information. To learn a step-by-step guide to set it up, read our Emergency iPhone shortcut article, which could save your life.

In Case of Emergency shortcut on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

5 GREAT TIPS FOR PLANNING YOUR NEXT TRAVEL GETAWAY

Kurt’s key takeaways

Your iPhone isn’t just for selfies and socials; it’s your trusty sidekick as you embark on your next international trip. Whether it’s keeping your travel must-haves in line with the Notes app or chatting up locals with the Translate app, your iPhone’s got your back. You already have your iPhone on you at all times, even when you’re going about your daily life. Why not use its features to make your travel adventures more organized, easier and safer?

Are there any travel challenges you’ve faced that you wish your iPhone could solve? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Technology

AMD’s first Zen 5 CPU is the ‘monster’ Ryzen 9 9950X

Published

11 hours ago

June 3, 2024

Press Room

AMD’s first Zen 5 CPU is the ‘monster’ Ryzen 9 9950X

AMD is launching its first Zen 5 desktop processors in July, with the Ryzen 9 9950X flagship leading the pack as “the world’s most powerful desktop consumer processor.” Based on AMD’s existing AM5 platform, the new Ryzen 9000 series of CPUs include the Ryzen 9 9950X, Ryzen 9 9900X, Ryzen 7 9700X, and Ryzen 5 9600X.

The flagship Ryzen 9 9950X is a 16-core, 32-thread CPU, with 80MB of L2+L3 cache and a 5.7GHz boost clock. AMD is promising around a 16 percent instructions per cycle (IPC) uplift in performance over the previous-generation Ryzen CPUs, with big promises of performance gains in productivity as well as gaming.

The Ryzen 9000 series lineup.

Image: AMD

“It’s a big leap, and we’re very very proud of it,” says Donny Woligroski, senior technical marketing manager for consumer processors at AMD, in a press briefing with The Verge. “It’s a monster. This processor does really well against the competition.”

AMD is promising gains of up to 56 percent in Blender against Intel’s Core i9-14900K with the new flagship 9950X, and even 21 percent in Cinebench 2024. On the gaming side, AMD’s benchmarks show a 4 percent frame rate bump over the 14900K in games like Borderlands 3, all the way up to 23 percent better performance in Horizon Zero Dawn.

At the heart of the 9950X is AMD’s new Zen 5 architecture. It’s still using the AM5 socket, with the usual PCIe Gen 5 and DDR5 support, but there are some updates under the hood to deliver more performance that AMD argues make this not a trivial update. “Sometimes there are updates of Zen that are not as fundamental, but Zen 5 is a sweeping update with vastly improved branch prediction for both accuracy and latency,” says Woligroski. “It’s a really impressive difference, and this delivers up to twice the instruction bandwidth, up to twice the data bandwidth, and up to twice the AI performance of the last gen.”

AMD’s IPC promise for the latest Zen 5 CPUs.

Image: AMD

AMD’s benchmark claims against the 14900K.

Image: AMD

AMD originally promised that the AM5 socket, which launched in 2022, would keep seeing new processor support until at least 2025, but it’s now extending that commitment at Computex to 2027 or beyond. The previous AM4 socket was introduced in 2016, and it’s still going strong today, almost a decade later. AMD is even launching new 5900XT and 5800XT processors for AM4 motherboards in July. The original 5900X was a 12-core processor, but the 5900XT is now a 16-core, 32-thread CPU, designed to take on Intel’s midrange 13th Gen desktop CPUs. The 5800XT has 8 cores, 16 threads, and a boost clock up to 4.8GHz.

AMD’s commitment to AM4 and now AM5 is seriously impressive, especially compared to Intel, which is about to launch its fourth desktop socket since 2015. The upcoming LGA 1851 socket replaces LGA 1700, which debuted in 2021, replacing 2020’s LGA 1200, which replaces the LGA 1151 Intel used from 2015 to 2019.

AMD’s new Ryzen 9 and Ryzen 7 CPUs for the AM4 socket.

Image: AMD

“This really speaks to the success of socket AM4 and previous-gen processors that are lasting so much longer than anyone thought a platform could,” says Woligroski. “It’s the real advantage of having a commitment from your CPU supplier that says we’re in this for the long haul — if you want to upgrade at some time, you don’t have to throw your system away and start from scratch.”

While AM5 is being extended, AMD is also launching new X870 and X870E motherboard chipsets for these new Ryzen 9000 series CPUs. You don’t need these new boards for these new CPUs, but they do come with USB 4.0 as standard, and they all include PCIe 5 Gen 5 on the graphics and NVMe sides, even on the non-E X870 boards this time around. They also support higher EXPO memory overclock support, which is great for enthusiasts who want the best memory speeds possible.

The four new Ryzen 9000 series CPUs and 5900XT / 5800XT will all launch in July, but AMD isn’t providing pricing for any of the processors yet. The Ryzen 9 9900X will include 12 cores, 24 threads, and a 5.6GHz boost. Interestingly, it also has a 50-watt lower TDP than the 7900X. The Ryzen 7 9700X ships with eight cores, 16 threads, and a 5.5GHz boost clock. Finally, the Ryzen 5 9600X will have six cores and 12 threads, alongside a 5.4GHz max boost.