Fusion
In general for any CAD software, higher core counts do not matter much as modeling and timeline/history based CAD modeling is mostly single core.
If you like local or canvas rendering, the CPU core count makes a difference. Rendering uses ever core.
The GPU makes even less of a difference. Fusion 360 utilizes the CPU only for viewport display.
@JGttk wrote:
Yes to all those points, but Fusion 360 can still benefit from a beefy VRAM, so local rendering is always going to be faster with a good GPU.
I am not entirely sure what you are referring to with "local rendering", but for raytracing in the render workspace Fusion 350 does not utilize the GPU.
The GPU is only used for viewport display and a GPU with "beefy" VRAM makes relatively little difference as long as you have enough of it so Fusion 360 can waste it on unnecessary screen gimmicks. However, those can also be turned off.
Having that said in reference to the MSI notebook with A2000. You won't get any speed benefit from an A2000 compared with a gaming GPU with the same chip set using Fusion 360 (or Autodesk Inventor). These "pro" graphics cards have certified drivers optimized mostly for OpenGL. Fusion 360 and Autodesk Inventor do not use OpenGL but DirectX.
Single core frequency is obviously not the "only" metric that is important. For modeling in CAD software (any parametric CAD software, not just Fusion 360) it is simply more important than core count. Memory bandwidth and clock speed , SSD speed and other factors make difference when comparing pure hardware specs.
Until Fusion 360 runs natively on the new apple hardware it will be difficult to assess, just how Fusion 360 runs on these machines. In another thread it was stated by AD that we can expect to see it sometime this summer. Also I believe on the mac platform Fusion 360 will utilize the Metal API for graphics.
But then, hardware specs are only part of the story. I started working with Fusion 360 on a mid 2010 Intel 27" iMac. That machine still works just fine, I just don't use it for Fusion 360. In 2017 I got the fastest MackBook Pro available and worked for the next few years with Fusion 360 on it.
At my current employer I work with a Dell Precision 7550 with a Nvidia Quadro T2000. It is a little bit faster than the macbook, but not much.
However it is much heavier, much bulkier and much, louder. The fans on the GPU start spinning almost at full speed as soon as I rotate anything in Fusion 360's viewport.
Professionally I develop manufacturing automation concepts. Once a week we review concepts and new business opportunities. If I have a more involved concept batteries run empty sometimes within an hour. That is with me taking it into the meeting fully charged!
Hence, when I travel to customers I take my 2017 MacBook 😉
Also, while I don't use the Trackpad for CAD on the MacBook, for me it makes the computer. The trackpad on the Dell machine is barely tolerable and let's not forget about the screen. The MacBook completely blows away the Dell machine in that aspect as well. Not even remotely close.
Long story short, If I'd be in the market for a new Notebook Computer I'd go hands down with a M1 or M2 MacBook Pro!
I personally also would also max it out. E.g. M2 with as much RAM as fit in the budget.
The combination of:
- the lower weight
- the lack of obnoxious fan noise
- the buttery smooth trackpad experience
- the outstanding screen and
- the phenomenal battery life
for me personally the make this almost a no-brainer, aside from pure performance considerations.
For the 3D stuff I do privately (Fusion 360, ZW3D, Blender, Indigo Renderer, Sidefx Houdini and others) I built myself a PC early last year with a 16 Core Ryzen 5950X, 64GB of Ram and RTX 3070ti.
So I am not a typical mac or Fusion 360 fanboy 😉
@JGttk wrote:
...
... (perhaps you have DG?)...
If you mean Dedicated or Discrete Graphics, then, yes definitely. While it seems to work for some, I would not have recommended Intel's on-board graphics for any 3D work.
With the new Apple silicon, fortunately that isn't a choice anymore.
@JGttk wrote:
...As I'm writing this, I'm working on my Macbook and moving simple parts is just way too slow, lags like crazy...
If you are interested sharing a design, I'd be happy to look at it. Perhaps I can provide some pointers that help with performance. I have tutored other instrument makers in the use of Fusion 360 😉
If you are using a paid subscription you can send me the public link to a project though a PM.
If you use a free subscription, send me a PM and we can exchange emails and then data.
