2020 27" iMac - which to buy

[johnnyindia]

M1 isn't compatible with my DAW/Hardware needs for audio. A 2020 27" iMac seems like the best choice at this point.
What configuration is best for audio? Need lowest fan noise (none preferably while recording).
Will probably install 32GB of aftermarket RAM (any benefit to 64 for audio?)
1 TB SSD will be necessary. 2TB isn't for my work.
Standard graphics card?

Anyone have an issue with fan noise on their iMac? I assume it will be more silent than an intel Mini, right?
Thanks!

 

[Fishrrman]

My prediction is that the Intel Mini will be quieter than the iMac...

 

[johnnyindia]

Is there a certain model of mini known for quiet fans?

 

[JustMartin]

M1 isn't compatible with my DAW/Hardware needs for audio. A 2020 27" iMac seems like the best choice at this point.
What configuration is best for audio? Need lowest fan noise (none preferably while recording).
Will probably install 32GB of aftermarket RAM (any benefit to 64 for audio?)
1 TB SSD will be necessary. 2TB isn't for my work.
Standard graphics card?

Anyone have an issue with fan noise on their iMac? I assume it will be more silent than an intel Mini, right?
Thanks!

I have a 2019 21.5" iMac with an external monitor that I use for recording. 1tb Ssd, 16gb Ram, 6 core i7. Record up to 4 tracks simultaneously in the same room as the Mac and have never had a problem with fan noise. Same thing when it's lots of plugins and software instruments.

 

[ascender]

My prediction is that the Intel Mini will be quieter than the iMac...

It probably will be due to the size. I've been trying so many Macs over the last few weeks as I need something Intel-based, with 6+ cores which could be worked with as little fan noise as possible. Its more due to my tolerance levels rather than it being picked-up on audio.

Out of a 2018 Mac mini, 16" MacBook Pro and 2020 iMac I've ended up buying a second hand iMac Pro which is almost silent no matter what I'm doing and runs very cool.

 

[AAPLGeek]

It probably will be due to the size. I've been trying so many Macs over the last few weeks as I need something Intel-based, with 6+ cores which could be worked with as little fan noise as possible. Its more due to my tolerance levels rather than it being picked-up on audio.

Out of a 2018 Mac mini, 16" MacBook Pro and 2020 iMac I've ended up buying a second hand iMac Pro which is almost silent no matter what I'm doing and runs very cool.

What would be your pick after the iMac Pro in terms of low fan noise — 2018 mini or the 2020 iMac?

 

[Fishrrman]

"What would be your pick after the iMac Pro in terms of low fan noise — 2018 mini or the 2020 iMac?"

The Mini.

 

[ascender]

What would be your pick after the iMac Pro in terms of low fan noise — 2018 mini or the 2020 iMac?

Mini is quieter, but I found it was quicker to put its fans on and the temperature of the case (which I know is for dissipating heat) was a bit disconcerting tbh.

Performance-wise, I'd have a specced up 2020 iMac if you need something with an Intel chip in it, but obviously an M1 Mini would be the sensible way to go.

 

[ignatius345]

Thinking of other considerations as well -- besides just fan noise -- the iMac 5K is a great choice because you get that beautiful display for much cheaper than you'd be able to spec a Mini with a comparable 5K monitor.

 

[wilberforce]

I don't do audio, but have seen many others use iMac 5k for audio and apparently pleased with it.
I suggest take advantage of the 14-day Apple return period. The 14-day return period is provided precisely for this reason: so you can try it yourself and see if it meets your needs. Fan noise is something that is highly dependent on your own individual conditions; no-one else can really predict if it will be acceptable to you or not. I find the fan noise on my iMac to be barely perceptible when at idle in a very quiet room, but others are more sensitive to it.

 

[Peet_B]

It even depends on if you're lucky with the quality of your fan in your specific machine. My GF has had her 2017 27" iMac since (well, you've guessed it) 2017, and I have used that machine for a couple of months at the beginning of 2020 when I was saving money to buy a new 2020 27" for myself. During those months I never ever heard the fan running idle, even not with my nose against the screen. Only when doing very intensive work the iMac started to get audible.

In November I received my 2020 27" iMac, and was shocked how audible the fan was at idle. I wondered if my GF's iMac ran the fan at a lower speed, but that wasn't the case. Even the part number for the fan in my iMac is identical to the one in hers. So it's all down to if you're lucky or not. My iMac is situated right next to a window facing a very busy street, so only at night I clearly hear my iMac running. If you're doing Audio work I don't think it will be a problem, but then I don't work with sound, but I'm just a designer.

 

[wilberforce]

It even depends on if you're lucky with the quality of your fan in your specific machine. My GF has had her 2017 27" iMac since (well, you've guessed it) 2017, and I have used that machine for a couple of months at the beginning of 2020 when I was saving money to buy a new 2020 27" for myself. During those months I never ever heard the fan running idle, even not with my nose against the screen. Only when doing very intensive work the iMac started to get audible.

In November I received my 2020 27" iMac, and was shocked how audible the fan was at idle. I wondered if my GF's iMac ran the fan at a lower speed, but that wasn't the case. Even the part number for the fan in my iMac is identical to the one in hers. So it's all down to if you're lucky or not. My iMac is situated right next to a window facing a very busy street, so only at night I clearly hear my iMac running. If you're doing Audio work I don't think it will be a problem, but then I don't work with sound, but I'm just a designer.

Yes, I compared my 2020 5K iMac with my 2014 5K iMac (before I traded it in), sitting side by side, and the fan noise from the 2020 iMac was slightly more than 2014 iMac (by about 2dB, measuring with Apple watch near the back vent). This appeared to be simply because there was more airflow passing through the vents on the 2020 than the 2014, with the fan at the same idle speed (1200 rpm). The "fan noise" is not so much the fan itself, it is the noise of the air flow passing through the exhaust vents/ducts.
In hindsight, I think that this may have been simply because the 2014 inlet vents (along the bottom edge of the iMac) were more clogged due to dust build-up over 5 years, thus preventing as much airflow through the 2014 iMac than the brand new 2020 iMac, and thus less airflow noise than the 2020 iMac.
I was quite surprised to find that my new 2020 iMac has already built up dust on the inlet vents screens after 6 months use. A few days ago I blew out a significant amount of dust, and I am not in an especially dusty room.
But I agree, one really needs to personally try it, as the noise appears to vary from machine to machine