Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
I also always try to play at the native resolution of the monitor, even if it's 25-30 frames, not 50-60. It looks much better that way.
I mean of course we'd all love to run at 5K, but even 4k gaming is pushing most cards too hard, so shooting for 5K seems like a fool's errand. It's all about striking the right balance.
 
I also always try to play at the native resolution of the monitor, even if it's 25-30 frames, not 50-60. It looks much better that way.
But the thing with 1440p is that it has the same sharpness as the native 2880p so your image won't get worse like 1080p or other non-native resolutions.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Azrael9 and mlykke
As I understand dual channel memory is not only about the placement of the memory sticks but also about not mixing different sizes. I found a good explanation by a viewer on Max Tech's channel below this video. As I've read it's like shoes. It's best to have a pair of same size, characteristics and brand. :) So if your memory bandwidth for iMac 2020 is not above 21.336 GB/s in Geekbench you don't have full dual channel despite right memory speed and placement.

Skärmavbild 2020-08-22 kl. 02.20.05.png

Skärmavbild 2020-08-22 kl. 02.21.53.png
 
Last edited:
I didn't expect to get a similar review on XCOM 2, thanks a lot! This is very good news.

Any fps in bootcamp mode please?
I didn't get any FPS readings, just that it's a comfortable experience without any stutters or dips. The difference in performance from native to bootcamp is noticeable, but not worth the reboot just to play it. XCOM Chimera is gloriously smooth however, that I'm excited about what they can finally do with Xcom 3 without their ****** engine slowing everything down.

4 or 5K is absolutely how these games were meant to be played. No AA needed.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Voyageur
I completely agree with this. The £200 premium for the XT over the standard 5700 just doesn’t make sense... unless you absolutely must have the extra 8gb of RAM. Some tests have the XT at a mere 8% faster than the 5700!

I think we need some more tests on the standard 5700 before it's more clear. But one reason to get the 5700 XT is also longevity. Experience form multiple iMacs over the last 10-12 years, tells me that it's usually not the processor that gets "old" and limiting but the graphics card. Thats why I will always get the biggest card available when getting a computer where it can't be upgraded.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ErikGrim and rkuo
I think we need some more tests on the standard 5700 before it's more clear. But one reason to get the 5700 XT is also longevity. Experience form multiple iMacs over the last 10-12 years, tells me that it's usually not the processor that gets "old" and limiting but the graphics card. Thats why I will always get the biggest card available when getting a computer where it can't be upgraded.
I’ve always gone with that approach too - always opted for the best GPU available (looking to replace my late 2013 iMac with a 2020 iMac). But I think the £200 premium simply isn’t worth it this time around.

I will wait for further tests, comparing the two GPUs, before making a final decision...
 
  • Like
Reactions: getrealbro
But the thing with 1440p is that it has the same sharpness as the native 2880p so your image won't get worse like 1080p or other non-native resolutions.
Of course, it's hard for me to judge, because 27 iMacs I only had a non-retina with 1440p. Let's see how it will be in 5K. But on my 21.5 retina 4K temp, I see a clear difference between native 4K and 2K, especially in games like Starcraft where there are a lot of different details. It still depends on the person. I love sharpness and great detail. In 4K, unfortunately, 21.5 "does not pull at all, but if there was such an opportunity, I would run in native resolution, even if there are small lags - they are not critical for me.
[automerge]1598106656[/automerge]
I mean of course we'd all love to run at 5K, but even 4k gaming is pushing most cards too hard, so shooting for 5K seems like a fool's errand. It's all about striking the right balance.
Of course, that's why I set the maximum resolution as possible. And the main message was that I do not need "cherished and holy 60 fps"
 
I’ve always gone with that approach too - always opted for the best GPU available (looking to replace my late 2013 iMac with a 2020 iMac). But I think the £200 premium simply isn’t worth it this time around.

I will wait for further tests, comparing the two GPUs, before making a final decision...
The iMac GPU is often a weak point, and there is still a difference between 5700 and XT. Today it is imperceptible, but tomorrow, when something more powerful from games and software comes out, these extra 5 fps thanks to XT will make the weather in a controversial situation between "playable" and "unplayable".

In addition, it is easier and more profitable to sell top-end solutions in the secondary market later in the future.
 
Hello, Az!

Could you give me a Starcraft benchmark, pleeeease?:)

It's a 25 gig download? Is SG2. I do have a BF account. So I'll download this when I have time. Maybe I'll try tomoz.

I feel confident that in HD or QHD, this rig will 'cope' alright.

Azrael.
 
The iMac GPU is often a weak point, and there is still a difference between 5700 and XT. Today it is imperceptible, but tomorrow, when something more powerful from games and software comes out, these extra 5 fps thanks to XT will make the weather in a controversial situation between "playable" and "unplayable".

In addition, it is easier and more profitable to sell top-end solutions in the secondary market later in the future.

Historically a 'weak' point no question. But that can't be said of the 5700XT 'Pro' 16 gig GPU. It's well tasty.

HD or QHD. It creamed Unigine in Ultra. I don't remember many consumer Macs doing that.

WoW? Smashed it in HD, QHD and thumped it in 4k to 100FPS (to my surprise..). High 5k FPS is doable if you play with the WoW 'graphic' rating. I put it on '5' and got 89/90 fps.

Azrael.
 
I mean of course we'd all love to run at 5K, but even 4k gaming is pushing most cards too hard, so shooting for 5K seems like a fool's errand. It's all about striking the right balance.

Bar the 'Almighty' pretender, the 2080ti...almost everything else is really just uber HD and QHD frame rates.

And in that regard? This iMac delivers!

And on ultra settings, I've found.

As for 4k and 5k. Yes. This 'can' be done. Depending on age of game and settings.

But we shouldn't pretend that any of these gpus are full on 4k or higher gpus. Like you say. 'Fools gold.' But it 'can' be done. IN a qualified way.

That honour will most likely go to Ampere and RDNA2.

Me? I'm just happy playing my 2004 game in HD. That's all I play.

Azrael.
 
I've tried to play the game three times. (Using the classic 'ready to play' phrase on Battle Front.)

It's frozen. Three times. I'll wait until it says 'Optimal.'

Azrael.
 
Downloaded DCS and did a quick test run with the F-14 and Supercarrier. The super carrier is a resource hog and murdered my frames with the 2019 iMac only getting about 23 FPS with shadows to low. With the 2020 iMac, I am getting about 40 FPS which makes it more than usable now with a smooth experience.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Voyageur
I've had the 512 base model for about a week and love it. It's replacing an older 21.5" model and I'm really enjoying the extra screen real estate. The speakers sound great. They may sound a tad better due to the T2 chip but my older model still had good speakers as well. I added the 3 year AC+ plan as I know these units are sometimes prone to having dust under the screen.
 
I will wait!

You are doing a great thing, Az!:D

Well. I can get through to the game screen. I've had to a do a hard reboot about 5-6 times.

But each time I load? The load bar hangs. Very clunky. Like most Blizzard games. Heavy on system resources. And that's with 32 gigs of Ram it hangs.

You'll have to be abit more candid about how what faction, tournament, PVP. How to actually do SCII. As I have 'no idea.' ;). Seems very involved.

Ie. This is this start. Press this. Do this training. Go with this faction. Click this button. Wait for this to load. etc.

No start button and just get blasting then?

At least with Streets of Rage...you can just get in there and start 'smacking'.

Azrael.
 
Finally 8-core 5700. You get the same result in Unigine with 5700 in Windows as 5700 XT in Mac.


Thanks for posting my video!
I am doing Mac OS testing today followed by tweaking performance in windows.
If there is anything you want me to test please let me know and I will try and add it in.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Homy and filmak
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.