Cant Decide - iMac C2D or QC?

[iMerlin]

Ive been reading a lot of the reviews here and it sounds like all I need for what I use is the C2D processor. However, I already have a late 08-early 09 MBP with the 2.6 GHz C2D chip and sometimes it slows up a bit when I run a virtual machine | iPhoto | Garageband | Adobe CS...

My typical usage is mostly Photoshop and the Adobe suite along with iPhoto and iTunes always running. I also do some developing and video once in a while. I keep trying to justify getting the QC for future proofing, but I would love to save 400 bucks and get the C2D if it fits my needs.

Would any users who bought the C2D iMac chime in and let me know if it meets your needs or if you wish you waited for the QC??

Also, is upgrading the chip at a later date even an option? I noticed some threads on upgrading to an SSD is possible, so I would think the chip could also be swapped unless they solder it on.

Thoughts?

 

[UAofE]

$400 is a small price for twice the power and 2009 technology (instead of 2007).

The processor is socketed, upgrading it will void the warranty but it can be done. The only upgrade right now is the $900 2.93GHz i7. It will come down in price over the next year, and 6-core CPUs for this socket type might be available then as well.
If you get the C2D, yes its socketed, but your upgrade options are pretty much at a dead end with the 3.33ghz model.

 

[Hellhammer]

The processor is socketed, upgrading it will void the warranty but it can be done. The only upgrade right now is the $900 2.93GHz i7. It will come down in price over the next year, and 6-core CPUs for this socket type might be available then as well.
If you get the C2D, yes its socketed, but your upgrade options are pretty much at a dead end with the 3.33ghz model.

Actually, that CPU costs ~500$ and speed bump is almost zero from 2.8GHz. 6-core Gulftown uses different socket (LGA-1156 vs LGA-1366), it's too hot and has no firmware support so it can't be used.

To OP: Apps you run are more RAM intensive than CPU. I run same apps as you with my iMac (see specs in sig) without problems, but quad isn't that much more so get that with 8GB of RAM

 

[dwd3885]

save your money. $500 is a lot. It's more than 25% of the computer! People always say, 'well you're going to buy so might as well buy the best.' But that is nonsense advice from people who want to spend top dollar. Save your $500 and buy the C2D model. I did and run Photoshop, Lightroom, iPhoto, iTunes, Safari, Firefox, Eyetv and more at the same time. Not a problem at all. Quad core is great and would perform better than C2D no doubt, but it isn't worth $500 for some people.

I think most people just want the quad because they want to say they have the best and show it off or think it's the only thing that will work for them.

 

[iMerlin]

$400 is a small price for twice the power and 2009 technology (instead of 2007).


Thats what Im trying to get my wife to understand, but she hears 500 and is not to happy I want the top end model (as always, as she so kindly put it).

Actually, that CPU costs ~500$ and speed bump is almost zero from 2.8GHz. 6-core Gulftown uses different socket (LGA-1156 vs LGA-1366), it's too hot and has no firmware support so it can't be used.

To OP: Apps you run are more RAM intensive than CPU. I run same apps as you with my iMac (see specs in sig) without problems, but quad isn't that much more so get that with 8GB of RAM

yeah, I thought about doing the RAM upgrade but I might opt to wait on that and get the chips from Newegg. They have a Kensington 2 gb chip for 45 bucks. 2 of those suckers and it makes Apples price of 200 look like an insult.

save your money. $500 is a lot. It's more than 25% of the computer! People always say, 'well you're going to buy so might as well buy the best.' But that is nonsense advice from people who want to spend top dollar. Save your $500 and buy the C2D model. I did and run Photoshop, Lightroom, iPhoto, iTunes, Safari, Firefox, Eyetv and more at the same time. Not a problem at all. Quad core is great and would perform better than C2D no doubt, but it isn't worth $500 for some people.

I think most people just want the quad because they want to say they have the best and show it off or think it's the only thing that will work for them.

You know, I kinda agree. But I keep picturing myself in 2 years wishing I got the quad. Well, it doesnt matter, I think the wife is putting the kibosh on this one anyway. I just got this MBP like a year and a half ago, she doesnt understand why I want 2 Macs.

 

[madwolf]

If you buy a C2D now you WILL NOT be able to upgrade to i5/i7 later on, they use completely different sockets and different motherboard chipsets.

 

[dwd3885]

You know, I kinda agree. But I keep picturing myself in 2 years wishing I got the quad. Well, it doesnt matter, I think the wife is putting the kibosh on this one anyway. I just got this MBP like a year and a half ago, she doesnt understand why I want 2 Macs.

I think about it like this: in a year or two tops there will be bluray, USB 3, lightpeak all on the iMacs. So will the c2d last 2 years until then when I upgrade? I say without a doubt yes. Because u will want to upgrade when USB 3 bluray and lightpeak are out. So no point in buying a i5 if you won't use it as such until more apps take advantage of it. That's why I saved $500.

Buying a quad because it will last longer is nice, but the type of person who wants a quad is the type of person who will definitely want USB3, lightpeak and bluray.

 

[iMerlin]

If you buy a C2D now you WILL NOT be able to upgrade to i5/i7 later on, they use completely different sockets and different motherboard chipsets.

Good to know, thanks.

Buying a quad because it will last longer is nice, but the type of person who wants a quad is the type of person who will definitely want USB3, lightpeak and bluray.

You know what, this is an EXCELLENT point. I love getting the latest and greatest so when Apple releases the 42" iMac with 6 cores and standard 12gb of RAM in 2012, Ill probably want to hop all over it!

 

[Hellhammer]

when Apple releases the 42" iMac with 6 cores and standard 12gb of RAM in 2012, Ill probably want to hop all over it!

Keep dreaming

 

[iMerlin]

Well, Ive decided that Im going to get the i7 when it becomes available. The reason Im thinking about the i7 is just because of the potential. I also run a couple of virtual machines at the same time and I think thats where the i7 will really shine.

I still have to work on the wife though, she isnt going for this at all. Something about finances or some crap, I stopped listening

 

[Hellhammer]

I still have to work on the wife though, she isnt going for this at all. Something about finances or some crap, I stopped listening

Women can't accept buying a 2000$ computer which will be used for years but men have to accept women spending 1000$ on clothes every month

Tell her that it'll be worth in long run and will have better resale value.

 

[iMerlin]

Women can't accept buying a 2000$ computer which will be used for years but men have to accept women spending 1000$ on clothes every month

Tell her that it'll be worth in long run and will have better resale value.

She still moans that I get the new iPhone every year but Ive sold the previous version on ebay every time and pretty much break even.
I have a old single core tower PC with a crap 19" 4:3 display and she said, what do you need a new computer for, isnt your MBP and PC enough. I laughed. I hate that PC. I dont even have it plugged in anymore. If I get this iMac I planned on converting that tower into a server.

Pray for me, I want this damn iMac pretty bad. I usually win these battles but it might cost me a month of lovin! Thats ok though, cause Ill have love!

 

[linux2mac]

I think most people just want the quad because they want to say they have the best and show it off or think it's the only thing that will work for them.

Ditto!

I ordered the C2D 27" iMac ( it arrives today). I do coding and use terminal to access my Linux servers. I wonder if "BB Edit" or "Terminal" will run faster on a i5 or i7

I have no intention of spending more to "future proof" (if there is such a thing) when a computer is obsolete the minute it arrives on your door step. Besides, if I wanted a quad machine ( not that I need that) I would want one with lightpeak, usb3, and bluray!

 

[iMerlin]

Ditto!

I ordered the C2D 27" iMac ( it arrives today). I do coding and use terminal to access my Linux servers. I wonder if "BB Edit" or "Terminal" will run faster on a i5 or i7

I have no intention of spending more to "future proof" (if there is such a thing) when a computer is obsolete the minute it arrives on your door step. Besides, if I wanted a quad machine ( not that I need that) I would want one with lightpeak, usb3, and bluray!

I dont care about saying I have a QC, I just cant stop thinking about down the line. But you guys are right, when all the other goodies get added to the iMac I will ultimately want that one too.

So linux2mac, you do a lot of coding? Do you also run multiple emulators and virtual machines to test your code in? Just wondering. I find myself running Xcode amoong others as well as Netbeans, a virtual Knoppix, Vista and hopefully Win 7 soon all in Parallels. Thats why Im wondering if a QC would be more appropriate for me. Let me know how yours runs once you get all set up.

 

[linux2mac]

iMerlin,

I will keep you posted on how my C2D performs.

I have a couple of physical Linux boxes (one running VMware Server and the other Xen) with about a dozen guests (SLES10 and SLES11) running on those boxes that I do my testing on. I plan on using my iMac to VNC into my virtual machines for testing and debugging. As far as running VM's on my iMac, I plan on using Fusion to run XP, Ubuntu, and OpenSuse guests for desktop support to my clients.

 

[iMerlin]

I talked the wife into it today! Merlin is getting himself an iMac! Cant wait for that damn i7! I think Im gonna head to the Apple store tomorrow to check em out again.