Can Intel finally beat ARM on performance per Watt?
A new Hackaday article, citing Jeff Geerling's benchmarks, claims Intel has finally matched Apple Silicon in performance per watt, specifically for FP64 calculations, a metric often used in supercomputing. This surprising assertion ignited a fiery debate on Hacker News, questioning the benchmark's real-world relevance and the overall implications for the long-standing efficiency battle between x86 and ARM architectures. While some celebrate Intel's potential comeback, others remain skeptical, citing Apple's broader ecosystem advantages and the specific, niche nature of the tested workload.
The Lowdown
A Hackaday article highlights Jeff Geerling's recent benchmarks, which suggest a new Dell XPS 13, powered by an Intel Core 5 320 chip, has achieved surprising power efficiency, seemingly matching or even surpassing Apple's A18-based MacBook Neo in specific workloads. This challenges the prevailing notion of ARM's undisputed lead in efficiency.
- The article details Jeff Geerling's comparison of the Dell XPS 13 (Intel Core 5 320) and the Apple MacBook Neo (A18 chip).
- Using a custom HPL Linpak benchmark (focusing on FP64 operations), the Dell XPS 13 achieved 6.21 Gflops/W at 20.6W, outperforming the MacBook Neo's 5.38 Gflops/W at 10.6W.
- This Intel chip even showed better FP64 performance-per-watt than M3 and M4 Mac Studios, only falling short of the M4 Mac Mini.
- While the Mac Neo excelled in iGPU and sound, the Dell offered Linux compatibility and a backlit keyboard.
- The results indicate Intel might be closing the efficiency gap, at least in particular compute-intensive tasks, suggesting the observed ARM advantages might be more about chip design than instruction set architecture alone.
The findings present a potential shift in the performance-per-watt landscape, offering renewed competition in the CPU market. However, the specialized nature of the benchmark leads to considerable debate regarding its broader applicability and Intel's overall standing against Apple Silicon.
The Gossip
Benchmark Bias & Skepticism
Many commenters expressed strong skepticism regarding the benchmark's methodology and its headline conclusion. The primary concern was the heavy reliance on FP64 (double-precision floating-point) performance, a niche workload not representative of general consumer use. Critics pointed out that while Intel might win on this specific metric, Apple Silicon often achieves significantly higher *overall* performance, and that a single, specialized benchmark can be misleading, potentially implying undisclosed sponsorship or bias from the reviewer. Some also noted that Apple's proprietary Accelerate framework could yield much higher Gflops/W if used.
Intel's Efficiency Ascent & Apple's Advantage
Despite the skepticism, many acknowledged Intel's progress in power efficiency, particularly for their lower-end chips. This sparked discussion on what contributes to Apple's historical efficiency lead: tight integration of hardware and software (OS optimization, custom core design, thermal management), and a long-term focus on power budgets from its mobile roots. Commenters observed that Intel and AMD traditionally prioritized raw performance over efficiency, and this Dell chip might represent a new strategic direction for Intel, focusing on efficiency, which is a positive development for market competition.
The Headphone Jack Hassle
A significant tangent erupted over the Dell XPS 13's lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack. Many users lamented its absence, citing the reliability of wired connections, convenience, and the cost of adapters or wireless alternatives. They argued that for a laptop, especially in contexts like classrooms, the jack remains essential. Conversely, others defended its removal, suggesting USB-C audio or wireless solutions are superior, and that 3.5mm jacks are prone to breakage, leading to costly repairs and design compromises. The debate highlighted user preferences versus manufacturer design choices.
Linux Compatibility & Performance
The discussion also touched upon the practicalities of operating systems. Dell's explicit support for Linux was seen as a major advantage over Apple's macOS for many power users and developers. However, some shared frustrations about inconsistent Linux performance, particularly with web browsers, on Intel-based systems compared to the fluidity experienced on Apple Silicon. Separately, Intel's low-end SoCs, like the N100, received praise for their full Linux support and efficiency in specific applications like home servers and routers, highlighting their 'undervalued' status.