Ableton Forum

Anyone run this on the 2012 Macbook Pro 13" with 2.9GHz i7 processor?

1) Ableton Live CPU Meter 21%
2) Laptop/Desktop? Make/Model? Apple MacbookPro (Retina Display)
3) Operating System? Mountain Lion 10.8.0
4) Ableton Live version? 8.3.3
5) CPU Make, Model, and Speed? Intel Core i7-3720QM 2.6GHz base clock
6) Amount of Ram? 16GB
7) Soundcard (and driver version if you know it)? Traktor Audio 2
8. Hard Disk Drive Speed (if you know)? 768Gb of SSD - approx 480Mb/s read 400Mb/s write
9) Number of playback tracks? 8 Tracks

1) Ableton Live CPU Meter 20-24%
2) Laptop/Desktop? Make/Model? Apple MacbookPro (Non Retina Display)
3) Operating System? Lion 10.7.3
4) Ableton Live version? 8.3.3
5) CPU Make, Model, and Speed? Intel Core i7-3720QM 2.3GHz base clock
6) Amount of Ram? 4GB
7) Soundcard (and driver version if you know it)? RME FF400
8. Hard Disk Drive Speed (if you know)? internal 5400
9) Number of playback tracks? 8 Tracks


1) Ableton Live CPU Meter 20-21%
2) Laptop/Desktop? Make/Model? Apple MacbookPro (Non Retina Display)
3) Operating System? Windows 7
4) Ableton Live version? 8.3.3
5) CPU Make, Model, and Speed? Intel Core i7-3720QM 2.3GHz base clock
6) Amount of Ram? 4GB
7) Soundcard (and driver version if you know it)? RME FF400
8. Hard Disk Drive Speed (if you know)? internal 5400
9) Number of playback tracks? 8 Tracks

Snow Leopard seems better since earlier MPB users have better results in SL, an worst in Mountain... so this computer is more powerful and Lion... sucks
It's impossible to install Snow Leopard in this computer (I tried all the solutions... no way)... and all my Roseta applications don't work (old synth editors for example). I wish I could find a 2011 MBP to install SL. Windows 7 on this computer doesn't seem incredibly better...

ramonpichot wrote:(I tried all the solutions... no way)...

Did you try downloading an ISO of Snow Leopard 10.6.6 (booting from a flash drive), or using a 10.6.6 disk to boot from?
You should be able to install SL, you just need to wipe your drive clean from Lion, the above 2 methods should do the trick.

JuanSOLO wrote:

ramonpichot wrote:(I tried all the solutions... no way)...

Did you try downloading an ISO of Snow Leopard 10.6.6 (booting from a flash drive), or using a 10.6.6 disk to boot from?
You should be able to install SL, you just need to wipe your drive clean from Lion, the above 2 methods should do the trick.

I couldn't boot from any Snow Leopard system. When I start with alt, it shows the system but doesn't want to boot. I also replaced the internal drive by a Snow Leopard (from my previous early 2011 broken MBP) and I cannot start SL (but I can start Bootcamp)
It boots from 10.6 instal disk, but it prevents that system isn't compatible, and I cannot do anything.
I read in other forums the firmare doesn't allow any 10.6 instal.

Just ran the test again. Last time was over a year ago.

OK well I was just about to go out and buy a new Ivy Bridge MBP and retire my custom built i7 (2600k) tower. I am seeing 9% with 8 tracks on this thing. Was really hoping these new MBPs could replace this tower but, after seeing other peoples' results, I'm fairly certain it cannot. Damn it!!

Computer: 2011 i7 2600k custom PC tower, Win 7/64, 32GB 1600mhz RAM, 256 GB SSD, Asus P67 Sabretooth MoBo. Ableton 8.3.0.
Result: steady 9%

Hoping for the day a laptop can do what this tower can do.

Breaks Dude wrote:Just ran the test again. Last time was over a year ago.

OK well I was just about to go out and buy a new Ivy Bridge MBP and retire my custom built i7 (2600k) tower. I am seeing 9% with 8 tracks on this thing. Was really hoping these new MBPs could replace this tower but, after seeing other peoples' results, I'm fairly certain it cannot. Damn it!!

Computer: 2011 i7 2600k custom PC tower, Win 7/64, 32GB 1600mhz RAM, 256 GB SSD, Asus P67 Sabretooth MoBo. Ableton 8.3.0.
Result: steady 9%

Hoping for the day a laptop can do what this tower can do.

I gonna consider buying your configuration. Why my bootcamp Win 7 doesn't give the same result? Maybe the 4GB ram? But I saw good results with older MBP with only 4GB.
Ableton Live performance test isn't the only deception... this MBP isn't very fast in a lot of tasks like... display a Finder window, alternate windows...

ramonpichot wrote:

Breaks Dude wrote:Just ran the test again. Last time was over a year ago.

OK well I was just about to go out and buy a new Ivy Bridge MBP and retire my custom built i7 (2600k) tower. I am seeing 9% with 8 tracks on this thing. Was really hoping these new MBPs could replace this tower but, after seeing other peoples' results, I'm fairly certain it cannot. Damn it!!

Computer: 2011 i7 2600k custom PC tower, Win 7/64, 32GB 1600mhz RAM, 256 GB SSD, Asus P67 Sabretooth MoBo. Ableton 8.3.0.
Result: steady 9%

Hoping for the day a laptop can do what this tower can do.

I gonna consider buying your configuration. Why my bootcamp Win 7 doesn't give the same result? Maybe the 4GB ram? But I saw good results with older MBP with only 4GB.
Ableton Live performance test isn't the only deception... this MBP isn't very fast in a lot of tasks like... display a Finder window, alternate windows...

The MacBooks are running notebook processors which are basically throttled back from their desktop cousins. My guess is that's because of heat and power consumption. The cooling unit attached to the processor in my PC tower is pretty big!

Anyone else on a mid 2012 15" MBP? Can you post your results?

ramonpichot wrote:1) Ableton Live CPU Meter 20-24%
2) Laptop/Desktop? Make/Model? Apple MacbookPro (Non Retina Display)
3) Operating System? Lion 10.7.3
4) Ableton Live version? 8.3.3
5) CPU Make, Model, and Speed? Intel Core i7-3720QM 2.3GHz base clock
6) Amount of Ram? 4GB
7) Soundcard (and driver version if you know it)? RME FF400
8. Hard Disk Drive Speed (if you know)? internal 5400
9) Number of playback tracks? 8 Tracks


1) Ableton Live CPU Meter 20-21%
2) Laptop/Desktop? Make/Model? Apple MacbookPro (Non Retina Display)
3) Operating System? Windows 7
4) Ableton Live version? 8.3.3
5) CPU Make, Model, and Speed? Intel Core i7-3720QM 2.3GHz base clock
6) Amount of Ram? 4GB
7) Soundcard (and driver version if you know it)? RME FF400
8. Hard Disk Drive Speed (if you know)? internal 5400
9) Number of playback tracks? 8 Tracks

Snow Leopard seems better since earlier MPB users have better results in SL, an worst in Mountain... so this computer is more powerful and Lion... sucks
It's impossible to install Snow Leopard in this computer (I tried all the solutions... no way)... and all my Roseta applications don't work (old synth editors for example). I wish I could find a 2011 MBP to install SL. Windows 7 on this computer doesn't seem incredibly better...

Do you have a 3720qm (2.6GHz) or a 3610qm (2.3GHz)? I think you have mistyped your Mbp specs.

Machinesworking wrote:Gonna say this again. this test is bunk.
Any CPU test has to be to failure. There are many reasons for this, but the most glaring obvious, and blatent example is me and commuters score here. My machine to failure is 1.5 times faster than his, (even with Live's bad handling of quad core and above CPU wise), in the "test" it's 2% faster....

Until someone tests to failure Snow Leopard and Mountain Lion against each other, there's no way of knowing whether Mountain Lion doesn't simply grab more CPU right away, but take less for each successive track. Considering the staggering difference in successive CPU use in our two "to Failure" tests this is my guess.

Exaclty. I always do the performance test to failure to get a good idea of the actual perforamcne difference. When I first got my quad core macbook pro, the test showed that it was around half of my previous computer (core3duo mbp). But my previous mac would choke on the 17th track. My current one can play 64 before choking. Big difference.

I just installed Mountain Lion so I'll do the failure test soon. However I did also just put in an SSDas my system drive so I'm not sure if that could affect things too. It shouldn't affect cpu. It would also be interesting to check the 64 bit version as well.

glitchrock-buddha wrote:

Machinesworking wrote:Gonna say this again. this test is bunk.
Any CPU test has to be to failure. There are many reasons for this, but the most glaring obvious, and blatent example is me and commuters score here. My machine to failure is 1.5 times faster than his, (even with Live's bad handling of quad core and above CPU wise), in the "test" it's 2% faster....

Until someone tests to failure Snow Leopard and Mountain Lion against each other, there's no way of knowing whether Mountain Lion doesn't simply grab more CPU right away, but take less for each successive track. Considering the staggering difference in successive CPU use in our two "to Failure" tests this is my guess.

Exaclty. I always do the performance test to failure to get a good idea of the actual perforamcne difference. When I first got my quad core macbook pro, the test showed that it was around half of my previous computer (core3duo mbp). But my previous mac would choke on the 17th track. My current one can play 64 before choking. Big difference.

I just installed Mountain Lion so I'll do the failure test soon. However I did also just put in an SSDas my system drive so I'm not sure if that could affect things too. It shouldn't affect cpu. It would also be interesting to check the 64 bit version as well.

Based on the metric you advise in your post above, and using the test file provided at the beginning of this thread, I can run 94 tracks before it pegs my CPU meter. Ableton Live 8.3/32 bit. At 94 tracks it pegs the meter and then settles down to 93%. I didn't push it any further because I was getting some cracks and pops initially at 95 tracks.

Can someone try this test with a mid 2012 MBP and post their results?

FWIW, I rarely EVER see my CPU meter above 25-30% even when doing very heavy production work. As stated before, I get about 9% CPU use running the test as the OP intended.

Thanks.

blarue09 wrote:

ramonpichot wrote:1) Ableton Live CPU Meter 20-24%
2) Laptop/Desktop? Make/Model? Apple MacbookPro (Non Retina Display)
3) Operating System? Lion 10.7.3
4) Ableton Live version? 8.3.3
5) CPU Make, Model, and Speed? Intel Core i7-3720QM 2.3GHz base clock
6) Amount of Ram? 4GB
7) Soundcard (and driver version if you know it)? RME FF400
8. Hard Disk Drive Speed (if you know)? internal 5400
9) Number of playback tracks? 8 Tracks


1) Ableton Live CPU Meter 20-21%
2) Laptop/Desktop? Make/Model? Apple MacbookPro (Non Retina Display)
3) Operating System? Windows 7
4) Ableton Live version? 8.3.3
5) CPU Make, Model, and Speed? Intel Core i7-3720QM 2.3GHz base clock
6) Amount of Ram? 4GB
7) Soundcard (and driver version if you know it)? RME FF400
8. Hard Disk Drive Speed (if you know)? internal 5400
9) Number of playback tracks? 8 Tracks

Snow Leopard seems better since earlier MPB users have better results in SL, an worst in Mountain... so this computer is more powerful and Lion... sucks
It's impossible to install Snow Leopard in this computer (I tried all the solutions... no way)... and all my Roseta applications don't work (old synth editors for example). I wish I could find a 2011 MBP to install SL. Windows 7 on this computer doesn't seem incredibly better...

Do you have a 3720qm (2.6GHz) or a 3610qm (2.3GHz)? I think you have mistyped your Mbp specs.

you're right, it's a 2,3Ghz, I copied the model from another post.
Here are the system info (sorry, in french)
Nom du modèle: MacBook Pro
Identifiant du modèle: MacBookPro9,1
Nom du processeur: Intel Core i7
Vitesse du processeur: 2,3 GHz
Nombre de processeurs: 1
Nombre total de cœurs: 4
Cache de niveau 2 (par cœur): 256 Ko
Cache de niveau 3: 6 Mo
Mémoire: 4 Go
Version de la ROM de démarrage: MBP91.00D3.B02
Version SMC (système): 2.1f170

A question : do I run the good test? It's the third link of first post of this threat. I doubt because it's written Live 6-7 Performance Test Project.

I have to say that the cpu meter isn't that alarming in my test. 20-24 is a nice result, maybe worse than 2011 quads MBP, but better than my previous 2011 13 MBP. The real problem is slowness (can wait till 10 seconds with pizza logo when i duplicate the 8 tracks test). And, there are dropouts or crackles before reaching 80%. Even with my songs, there are spikes with 20 tracks and a few effects... I thought it would be better. Maybe my Lion configuration is bad... switching between Finder windows isn't as fluent as it was with my one year 13' I5 2,4Ghz MBP. I reinstall everything and let you know if it is better.

ramonpichot wrote:I have to say that the cpu meter isn't that alarming in my test. 20-24 is a nice result, maybe worse than 2011 quads MBP, but better than my previous 2011 13 MBP. The real problem is slowness (can wait till 10 seconds with pizza logo when i duplicate the 8 tracks test). And, there are dropouts or crackles before reaching 80%. Even with my songs, there are spikes with 20 tracks and a few effects... I thought it would be better. Maybe my Lion configuration is bad... switching between Finder windows isn't as fluent as it was with my one year 13' I5 2,4Ghz MBP. I reinstall everything and let you know if it is better.

I have an early 2011 MBP (2.2GHz quad i7) and got similar results CPU-wise in Lion. If your issue is around general speed, I would suggest you consider installing a SSD as your OS/apps drive. I have one and for me it is a relatively low cost upgrade that makes a massive difference in terms of how "snappy" your machine is. Apps open way quicker and are much faster at executing tasks, way less beach-balling, boot times are much quicker...I could go on. Won't make much of a difference in this test, but you will really notice the difference in the time it takes for your laptop to do pretty much anything.

glitchrock-buddha wrote:Based on the metric you advise in your post above, and using the test file provided at the beginning of this thread, I can run 94 tracks before it pegs my CPU meter. Ableton Live 8.3/32 bit. At 94 tracks it pegs the meter and then settles down to 93%. I didn't push it any further because I was getting some cracks and pops initially at 95 tracks.

Can someone try this test with a mid 2012 MBP and post their results?

I just tried in mine: 59 tracks without cracks (just under 80% cpu load)
And I tried a fresh Lion install, on a usb 2 drive, just the demo because my licenses are already in use in the internal partitions: 49 tracks, and for the 8 tracks, cpu is about 29%. Maybe the clue is a good drive. That could explain the 1% difference or more between my MBP and the Retina.