Upcoming iMac Pro with Radeon Pro Vega 64 graphics processor with 16GB of HBM2 memory

Question

Hi

 

Recently, Apple has announced the new Pro line of its Mac that will use the Radeon Pro Vega.

 

What are the consequences for XP, for instance in terms of compatibility or performance?

Answer 1

The Vega GPU is about equal to the GTX 1080 if I am talking about the correct one as you mentioned. The performance would also depend a lot on the CPU as some settings in X-Plane require heavy CPU Usage. Compatibility should be great with X-Plane 11 as long as you're up to MINIMUM requirements followed here: 

• MINIMUM:
  • OS: OS X version 10.6.8 or later
  • Processor: Dual Core, 2.5 GHz or faster
  • Memory: 2 GB RAM
  • Graphics: with at least 500 MB of VRAM
  • Storage: 80 GB available space
  • Additional Notes: X-Plane 10 does not support PowerPC-based Macs, or versions of OS X prior to 10.6.8.
  • Here are the recommended specs, but I greatly advise you to talk to a Apple expert in store and show him/her the specs needed for X-Plane 11. A good CPU is also heavily recommended with X-Plane 11 and with a good GPU (Vega).
  • RECOMMENDED:
    • OS: OS X version 10.6.8 or later
    • Processor: 3 GHz, multi-core CPU (or, even better, multiple processors)
    • Memory: 4 GB RAM
    • Graphics: with 2 GB of on-board, dedicated VRAM
    • Storage: 80 GB available space
    • Additional Notes: X-Plane 10 does not support PowerPC-based Macs, or versions of OS X prior to 10.6.8.

Comments

Please also note that for some reason, X-plane runs better with Nvidia GPUs..

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So in order to have the best platform to run X-Plane would be a PC instead of a Mac... (?)

I would like to use heavy orthos, sceneries, weather engines,…

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When you write "The Vega GPU is about equal to the GTX 1080"... in English "about equal" means "almost equal"? Or something else? ;-)

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PC is the best choice over MAC. Also the Vega GPU is equal to GTX 1080. If you're going to use heavy demanding add-ons use a i7 6700k or i7 7700k with a GTX 1080 and a 1080p monitor or 1440p but 1080p gives more frames. In X-Plane11, you want to get at least 30 frames or higher, the fps is different for the game unlike 60fps in other games. Some rendering settings in game are useless like the reflection, so you don't need to turn everything to MAX and it saves you fps.

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So in other words... if today I would buy the best Mac money can buy, it would not match a Top Gamer PC equipped with the GTX 1080 ?

Answer 2

Tested XP11 on a brand new iMac Pro with 32 Gb of RAM (Demo Mode at Seattle with default B737): 

– 1920 x 1080 px in full screen mode
– Max settings but antialias at Min: 70+ fps
– With Max settings with Stormy Weather and anti-alias Max: ± 20 fps

The Reflection Detail is not fluid starting 4/5, and at 5/5 it seems to be showing only 5 frames per second.

Impressive anyway.