2017 BTO iMac vs Base nMP

[mstgkillr]

How does the performance compare on these two computers? I have the opportunity to get either as replacement. Which has a longer life expectancy? Other pros or cons? Oh, and is the SSD on the nMP easily upgraded? What would you get?

2017 iMac
4.2GHz quad-core 7th-generation Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 4.5GHz
8GB 2400MHz DDR4
512GB SSD
Radeon Pro 580 with 8GB video memory

Base nMP
3.5GHz 6-Core Intel Xeon E5 processor
16GB 1866MHz DDR3 ECC memory
Dual AMD FirePro D500 with 3GB GDDR5 VRAM each
256GB PCIe-based flash storage

 

[mcnallym]

Really depends upon what you are going to do with the machine.

SSD on nMP is still special connector, though if can get an appropriate compatible SSD then fairly easy to replace. EBAY/OWC probably best places to look. Just don't expect to pick up a standard NVME M2 SSSD and have it work.

nMP has more cores but the cores on the iMac run faster, so unless can use the extra cores then the iMac could be faster.
If is a longer running task however then the nMP could well be better as the iMac could start to throttle due to heat.

The 580 in the iMac would appear to be quicker then even the D700's so will be better.

The nMP is going to be replaced next year, and no doubt there will be a new iMac in 2018 as well ( usually but not always the iMac is refreshed every year ) so they should maintain support in terms of OS support etc equally well.

You get to pick your own monitor with an nMP however don't know anyone that said the 5K screen in the iMac is poor, is normally arguments that want to pick my own monitor, already own a good monitor, I need multiple monitors, I don't want to throw away the screen when replace etc that hear, as opposed to the screen being crap.

However these are just generalisations, and without knowing what going to use for then going to be difficult for people tp say what would be better.

If looking at VR then then the iMac will be better, if however requirement is Logic Pro X or other music software then the GPU isn't going to make much difference to you.

 

[MMcCraryNJ]

I just sold my 6c nMP/D500/1TB system. Pocketing the money for now due to surgery and moving in the near future, but I'll mostly likely be getting the iMac.

Between the new iMac and the nMP, I think you would have to go for the iMac at this point. The nMP is old hat, outdated GPUs, it's going to be replaced with a new form factor next year. SSD speeds in the new iMac are double that of the nMP. Thunderbolt 2 is a dead-end. Etc.

If you're getting a replacement now and it's between the 2017 iMac and the 2013 Mac Pro 6c, I'd go with iMac hands down. And I owned the trashcan for 2.5 years. It's nothing special really

 

[fathergll]

Lets see. The iMac is $300 cheaper, comes with a 27" 5k monitor, has a faster processor, twice as much SSD storage, faster SSD storage and more powerful video card.

 

[CWallace]

If your workflow is heavily dependent on strong multi-core performance, the Mac Pro's Xeon will be better due to 6-cores vs. 4. Otherwise, I would say go with the iMac 5K.