3.8 vs 4.2 Fan Noise and Heat

[xzebra]

I am looking to purchase a iMac within the next few days.

I was wondering the following:

• To those that have had/used both the 3.8 and 4.2 iMac 27" 2017 versions how the fan noise and GPU temp compare to one another?
• Is the noise really that bad or subjective?
• Is the fan noise worth the extra processing power?
• Is the 3.5 a better route to go?

[doublepost=1524605606][/doublepost]

I am looking to purchase a iMac within the next few days.

I was wondering the following:

• To those that have had/used both the 3.8 and 4.2 iMac 27" 2017 versions how the fan noise and GPU temp compare to one another?
• Is the noise really that bad or subjective?
• Is the fan noise worth the extra processing power?
• Is the 3.5 a better route to go?

Forgot to add....I seen this video so I am wondering if the 4.2 is really all that bad?

 

[Sarpanch]

Unless you really need an iMac right now, I would recommend that you wait for the WWDC event in June.
Why? Because Apple will use Intel's 8th Gen CPUs in this year's iMacs. So instead of 4 cores, we will most likely see 6 Cores in the 27" iMacs. This will be a significant upgrade from 2017 compared to the regular updates that iMacs get every year or so.

 

[xzebra]

Unless you really need an iMac right now, I would recommend that you wait for the WWDC event in June.
Why? Because Apple will use Intel's 8th Gen CPUs in this year's iMacs. So instead of 4 cores, we will most likely see 6 Cores in the 27" iMacs. This will be a significant upgrade from 2017 compared to the regular updates that iMacs get every year or so.

Thank you Sarpanch for your response, however what if I cannot wait that long, and besides the new iMac specs are all speculation at this point. There is no firm evidence.

 

[tomscott1988]

Plus the update cycle is not set WWDC is a software conference but there is no reason why they couldn't.

I suppose a way you could look at it is the newer machines will give you 2 more cores or roughly 50% more for the same money, they may go SSD only meaning again better value for money and going up the SSD ladder is cheaper. Another possibility is the cooling system from the iMac pro may find its way into the iMac meaning these things will stay cool and quiet.

That being said it could be October. I highly doubt it but its a possibility.

It depends whether there is a design update on the way, its due but there are again no rumors pointing in this direction.

I only have extended experience of the base line iMac which I purchased for my father and it runs absolutely silently very rarely does the fan spin up. That being said its not hyperthreaded and it only benches at 4800 single and about 13800 multi. Its not really a powerhouse, but its consistent and doesn't overheat. The 3.8 is certainly the sweet spot in the range but if you use multithreaded applications the i7 would be better, although it doesnt stay cool and from what people have said on the forum it gets loud.