Imac 21.5 or 27 - also used for gaming

[tonnyldk]

Hi,

Which new iMac is best to choose if you want to use it also for Battlefield 1, Guildwars 2 and more (via bootcamp) in addition to normal office use (mail, word, etc.)?

Is it the biggest 21.5" or the smallest 27"?

I think it's 21.5", as it puts fewer demands on the GPU because of the smaller screen, but it's just a guess.

Imac 21.5"

• Radeon Pro 560 4 GB
• Retina 4K - 4096 x 2304 (P3)

Imac 27"

• Radeon Pro 570 4 GB
• Retina 5K - 5120 x 2880 (P3)

 

[mpConroe]

I would go with 27'' but with Radeon Pro 580. That's what I'm going to do. I will be using this computer for gaming (Windows 10) and video / photo editing (macOS).

 

[tonnyldk]

I would go with 27'' but with Radeon Pro 580. That's what I'm going to do. I will be using this computer for gaming (Windows 10) and video / photo editing (macOS).

Offcourse I would also "just" buy the largest model. But if I want to buy the most budget friendly versus performance, which one should it be then?

 

[mpConroe]

http://gpuboss.com/gpus/Radeon-Pro-570-vs-Radeon-Pro-560 - as you can see, there is a difference between this cards "on the paper". The difference is huge so I'm thinking that Radeon 570 is better choice.
I would go with 27'' - better user experience (larger screen) and you have to scale the resolution for gaming anyway.
Besides, in 27'' you can easy upgrade RAM later.

The choice for me is straightforward - iMac 27''.

 

[JonOlafson]

I went with the 21,5 because I think its the better value and 27" was just too huge for my desk.

 

[angrytoothbrush]

Upgradable RAM in the 27 has to be considered. I do have to say the 570/560 just doesnt clock for gaming as a standalone statement, but I think if youre selective with Metal games and possibly see yourself investing in the egpu route for your bootcamp endeavor than I don't see a reason to not stick at the 570, but I really couldnt see myself forgoing the upgradable RAM

 

[JonOlafson]

I thought the benchmarks of the top end 21,5 model where better that the ones of the entry level 27.
Since the op does not necessarily need the extra screen space for photo or video editing I think he is better off saving 400 bucks.
You can always upgrade the 21,5 ram with an ifixit kit or your apple dealer..

 

[angrytoothbrush]

I thought the benchmarks of the top end 21,5 model where better that the ones of the entry level 27.
Since the op does not necessarily need the extra screen space for photo or video editing I think he is better off saving 400 bucks.
You can always upgrade the 21,5 ram with an ifixit kit or your apple dealer..

I completely agree and I think thats more based on the 560 running the 4k and the 570 running the 5k than it is about stand alone chip specs(you can always clock down your games to a visually compelling level but still not 5k and utilize the 570 bump- i agree its for marginal benefit at this point), but if you go through an apple dealer to upgrade than you are forced to do so with apple sanctioned materials $$$$. The iFixit kit would really depend on user savvy so thats a judgement call, bearing in mind if you are savvy iFixit claims the 27 is fully modable if you know how, but the 21.5 isnt no matter what aside from the RAM. All to say that theres your 400$ eitherway.. would OP prefer to customize and spend it down the line in the future or would OP like to spend it today. Bearing in mind that in future im almost certain every model will support eGPUs but when will that be and also what will the GPU power look like then. Heavily preferential decision with lots to consider IMO.

 

[JVNeumann]

I'm planning on getting a high-spec iMac mostly with an eye on the i7 and RAM (40GB probably) for work purposes, but seeing as the RX580 is basically free at that point in a 27 inch model, I may as well ask how it will fare against my current gaming-centric PC, which is:

GTX 980
i5 4690 @ 3.50GHz
8GB DDR4 RAM
SSD

It's a bit old, but I'm still guessing the iMac won't do much more than break even against that in Bootcamp, right?