iMac 3.06 vs. 3.06

[CoryBoyUSA]

Howdy, all.

I'm going to buy an aluminum iMac very soon and from everything I've been extensively reading, I think I'm right in this assumption but I just wanted to confirm:

A 2008-model iMac 3.06, if maxed out with 6GB RAM should be comparable to the 2009-model iMac 3.06 with its standard 4GB RAM, since the graphics cards are pretty darn close.... right? I know the hard drive size will differ, unless I were to open it up and upgrade someday.

I can get the '08 model at bhphotovideo.com for $1549, upgrade the memory for about $160, so it's just a bit over $1700 (another hundred for a 1TB upgrade, which then leaves me with an extra 500GB to put in an enclosure)

..... or I can pay $1849 for a refurbished '09 model with the works.

Either way, the '08 model maxed out will cost me a little less, once I factor in sales tax to Apple. So I think I solved my own problem.

So now I'm wondering: Do I really need to max out the RAM to 6GB or will 4 suffice? I know it's DDR2 vs DDR3 and the difference doesn't seem to be dramatic. Advice?

Oh yeah, I use my computer mostly for print and web design but want to get into video in a few months, hence the desire to have max specs.

 

[geoffreak]

For what you do, you won't see any difference between DDR2 and DDR3.

Go cheap.

Have you checked Apple's refurb store?

 

[Eidorian]

Here's a pretty good set with the 3.06 GHz w/8800M GTS facing off against the 3.06 GHz w/GT130.

 

[CoryBoyUSA]

Yep, I looked in the refurb store, which is where I noticed the current model for $1849. Amazingly, though, the '08 model is $1599 there, whereas a new one is on bhphotovideo for $50 less. Plus, they include Parallels Desktop 4.0 for free.

For what you do, you won't see any difference between DDR2 and DDR3.

Go cheap.

Have you checked Apple's refurb store?

 

[CoryBoyUSA]

Here's a pretty good set with the 3.06 GHz w/8800M GTS facing off against the 3.06 GHz w/GT130.

Thanks for the link. I'd been looking for some benchmarks like that. They're comparable enough for me to be comfortable buying the older system. Groovy.

 

[Eidorian]

Thanks for the link. I'd been looking for some benchmarks like that. They're comparable enough for me to be comfortable buying the older system. Groovy.

I was going to suggest the same as well. DDR2 RAM is cheap too but back to school is eating up supplies dragging the price up.