4 ms·

AMD AI Max+ 395 systems should be around $2k with 128gb DDR5X, the Mac Studio maxed out is just north of $12k. So it's in the middle depending. This will also

AMD AI Max+ 395 systems should be around $2k with 128gb DDR5X, the Mac Studio maxed out is just north of $12k. So it's in the middle depending. This will also vary greatly in terms of usability for other things. That said, a nice OEM option if you need something for AI workloads where the GPU market is completely soaked with scalpers. Been considering a drive to California just so I can get a GPU directly at MicroCenter instead of paying scalper overheads.

sliken 2y ago
Yes, you can spend $12k on a mac studio. However the Mac studio with the m4 max has 128GB ram, double the memory bandwidth, and costs $3,699. LESS than the DGX spark. Granted it doesn't have 200gbe. If it's the memory bandwidth you are after the Mac Mini with the m4 pro has similar, but max 64GB ram.
- fancyfredbot 2y ago
  Article is the ASUS system which is $3000, so cheaper than the M4 max.
  - sliken 2y ago
    Indeed, 23% more money for double the memory bandwidth.
    - deleted 2y ago
      [deleted]
rbanffy 2y ago
> This will also vary greatly in terms of usability for other things. This is key. Nvidia has a terrible reputation with long term support (as market leaders, they can easily afford that). Apple just now (last November) dropped OS updates for their 2014 boxes. While a Mac Studio 2025 will not be a ridiculous amount of compute power in 10 years, I fully expect Nvidia to completely abandon support and software updates for this in five years tops. Hopefully, considering the interest it generated, I'd hope the Linux crowd will be able to carry it further, maybe with decent open-source drivers, way past the expiration date Nvidia sets.
- tracker1 2y ago
  That'll be the hard part for sure... NVidia is in a position to want to push people to abandon older tech for new shiny. I would hope to see these machines last a decade all the same. Also interested to see how the level of compute compares to other pro and consumer options.
- bitsandboots 2y ago
  > Nvidia has a terrible reputation with long term support In what space do they have this reputation? In drivers, I see they're supporting hardware that's 10 years old right now.
  - scottapotamas 2y ago
    Their single board computers intended for robotics/edge have had a history of being poorly supported and stuck on old kernel versions.
    - c2p2 2y ago
      Curious which single board(s) would these be? The latest orin nano super cards seem to have updated software. I have read good things about Nvidia Shield support - it is still the best streaming device out there and gets bug fixes and feature enhancements even for way old builds.
      - rbanffy 2y ago
        The latest usually have updated software. As they stop being latest the support dwindles and, depending on reliance on proprietary code, so will your ability to maintain it yourself.

sliken 2y ago

Yes, you can spend $12k on a mac studio. However the Mac studio with the m4 max has 128GB ram, double the memory bandwidth, and costs $3,699. LESS than the DGX spark. Granted it doesn't have 200gbe. If it's the memory bandwidth you are after the Mac Mini with the m4 pro has similar, but max 64GB ram.

fancyfredbot 2y ago
Article is the ASUS system which is $3000, so cheaper than the M4 max.
- sliken 2y ago
  Indeed, 23% more money for double the memory bandwidth.
  - deleted 2y ago
    [deleted]

rbanffy 2y ago

> This will also vary greatly in terms of usability for other things. This is key. Nvidia has a terrible reputation with long term support (as market leaders, they can easily afford that). Apple just now (last November) dropped OS updates for their 2014 boxes. While a Mac Studio 2025 will not be a ridiculous amount of compute power in 10 years, I fully expect Nvidia to completely abandon support and software updates for this in five years tops. Hopefully, considering the interest it generated, I'd hope the Linux crowd will be able to carry it further, maybe with decent open-source drivers, way past the expiration date Nvidia sets.

tracker1 2y ago
That'll be the hard part for sure... NVidia is in a position to want to push people to abandon older tech for new shiny. I would hope to see these machines last a decade all the same. Also interested to see how the level of compute compares to other pro and consumer options.
bitsandboots 2y ago
> Nvidia has a terrible reputation with long term support In what space do they have this reputation? In drivers, I see they're supporting hardware that's 10 years old right now.
- scottapotamas 2y ago
  Their single board computers intended for robotics/edge have had a history of being poorly supported and stuck on old kernel versions.
  - c2p2 2y ago
    Curious which single board(s) would these be? The latest orin nano super cards seem to have updated software. I have read good things about Nvidia Shield support - it is still the best streaming device out there and gets bug fixes and feature enhancements even for way old builds.
    - rbanffy 2y ago
      The latest usually have updated software. As they stop being latest the support dwindles and, depending on reliance on proprietary code, so will your ability to maintain it yourself.