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Mac Mini i7 Dual Core vs Mac mini Server i7 Quad Core

S

Sibbe.85

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 22, 2008
17
0
So, I´m just upfor putting my order and I know that this topic is something very discussed in the forum. However I would be grateful if you could give me your inputs

First Option

2.7GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i7
4GB
750GB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200 rpm
AMD Radeon HD 6630M


Second option

2.0GHz quad-core Intel Core i7
4GB memory
Dual 500GB 7200-rpm hard drives1
Intel HD Graphics 3000
OS X Lion Server

Now, I dont play any games or do any video rendering. Nothing that uses CPU nor GPU.

This is what my priority is.

I want:

- computer that can play 1080 and all future formats without issues. I hate it when it lags
- computer that will be able to have the future of OSX without any issues(lagg), e.g I dont want that feeling that I have a slow/old computer (look at my needs)
- computer that wont produce alot of heat, as I HATE FANS GOING ALL CRAZY. I WANT SOMETHING QUIET THAT WILL BE QUIET FOR 3-4 YEARS
- computer that I can use for normal student use (im a medical student), so, browse internet, flash sites, office use, movies,

- all these above, doing what i want for 3-4years

I´m very thankful for all replies. =)
 
GET the quad. use the oem add-on of 750gb 7200 rpm hdds. if you are a student the server is 979 the oem add on of 2 750gb hdds is 90 total of 1069. my reasoning is the cpu is better. price is close. down the road add on options are available via t-bolt for the cpu or ssds. the need for more ram may not exist with your use but 8gb or 16gb may come around later.

the 2.7 is 1004 with the 750gb hdd .

the server with 2 750 gb hdds is 1069 for 65 dollars more you get 750gb hdd and a far better cpu. and upgrade to a better gpu is possible via T-bolt if ever needed
 
My son got the quad and I got the i5 with the AMD GPU. We both rip a lot of DVD's. In fact I am working on getting all of my DVD into my iTunes library for streaming. We have done some testing and I guess depending on what you do that guad really rocks! Movies that take me 60 minutes to rip he can rip in about 40 minutes. Not a lot of time saving, but hey it adds up. His just feels more snappy compared to mine.

In terms of the Intel Integrated vs AMD GPU, for watching video, doing the day to day stuff with the exception of 3D Gaming, I can't tell a difference.

I like the difference enough that I've decided to return my core i5 and get me a quad-core i7. I had purchased mine from Amazon and they have already shipped my quad-core and I should have it tomorrow. Packing up the i5 so I can ship it back tomorrow. I have to undo all my upgrades! LOL
 
OTACORB said:
My son got the quad and I got the i5 with the AMD GPU. We both rip a lot of DVD's. In fact I am working on getting all of my DVD into my iTunes library for streaming. We have done some testing and I guess depending on what you do that guad really rocks! Movies that take me 60 minutes to rip he can rip in about 40 minutes. Not a lot of time saving, but hey it adds up. His just feels more snappy compared to mine.

In terms of the Intel Integrated vs AMD GPU, for watching video, doing the day to day stuff with the exception of 3D Gaming, I can't tell a difference.
Click to expand...

This is about a prefect rating the quad rocks with the exception of gaming when compared to the 2.5 mini.
 
Is anyone selling the server with only the 750 hdd upgrade online cheaper than apple + tax?
bhphoto does but they add the 8gb ram for too much $ imo.
 
philipma1957 said:
GET the quad. use the oem add-on of 750gb 7200 rpm hdds. if you are a student the server is 979 the oem add on of 2 750gb hdds is 90 total of 1069. my reasoning is the cpu is better. price is close. down the road add on options are available via t-bolt for the cpu or ssds. the need for more ram may not exist with your use but 8gb or 16gb may come around later.

the 2.7 is 1004 with the 750gb hdd .

the server with 2 750 gb hdds is 1069 for 65 dollars more you get 750gb hdd and a far better cpu. and upgrade to a better gpu is possible via T-bolt if ever needed
Click to expand...

I don't think there's a need to upgrade to the 750GB drives as the stock drives are 500GB 7200rpm. Use the money to upgrade to 8GB RAM. Amazon has the Mac mini server right now for $959.95
 
gigaguy said:
Is anyone selling the server with only the 750 hdd upgrade online cheaper than apple + tax?
bhphoto does but they add the 8gb ram for too much $ imo.
Click to expand...

I have not seen anyone selling this configuration online cheaper than apple.
 
thanks, just trying to beat the $85 tax. bhphoto has no tax but not this config. they add 8gb Ram for a lot. which I already have.
 
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Thank you all for your replies. Appreciator it. Guess I'm Leaning towards quad core.

Just another question. In a couple of years. What will be the bottle neck in this computer. I mean. Will it slow down due to graphics or CPU? Future video formats. Are they CPU or GPU dependedt?

It's VERY important for me that I can add two monitors to it simultaneously. Without the feeling of lagg..
 
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How does intel HD manage 2 monitors? E.g 55 inch led? Playing 1080 simultaneously.
 
I think it should be able to drive two screen at Full HD (1920x1080) playing full HD content simultaneously. When you are talking about two screen each at 2560x1440 or 2560x1600, thats where it might have to little power for. The size of the screen itself doesn't matter just the amount of pixels.
 
Sibbe.85 said:
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How does intel HD manage 2 monitors? E.g 55 inch led? Playing 1080 simultaneously.
Click to expand...

I drive two HD monitors. Server w/ HD3000 does not stutter on 1080 x 2. It's pretty zippy for any computer.. and well, considering it's a mini, it totally rocks! I think you'll be glad you opted for the quad i7 especially in a few years.
 
srf4real said:
I drive two HD monitors. Server w/ HD3000 does not stutter on 1080 x 2. It's pretty zippy for any computer.. and well, considering it's a mini, it totally rocks! I think you'll be glad you opted for the quad i7 especially in a few years.
Click to expand...


Sr4real: How does fan react to that? Does it go all crazy sounding like a vaccum cleaner?

Thanks a bunch for the replies. I´m really seeing myself keeping this computer for 5years.
 
I haven't heard my new mini yet. Had it for three weeks.. but the biggest test I've done so far is iMovie, iTunes, Safari, Photoshop CS5 and Aperture working all at once. I've maxxed out the i7, but no sound at all from the mini yet..... temps stay within norms also.
 
you have the quad or dual core? Intel or AMD? :). Think im placing my order tomorrow. Im convinced to get the quadcore. BTW, how do u connect them? One with HDMI, other one? Thundbolt? :O

THANKS :)
 
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Is it true that Mac mini has à higher idling fan speed. 2300rpm vs 1800rpm on the nonserver one?
 
Sibbe.85 said:
Is it true that Mac mini has à higher idling fan speed. 2300rpm vs 1800rpm on the nonserver one?
Click to expand...

The non-server is 2000 RPM and the server is 2300 RPM.

Overall having both and upgrading to Lion 10.7.1 the server actually runs cooler even if I match server RPM on the non-server using SMC fan control.
 
srf4real said:
I've maxxed out the i7, but no sound at all from the mini yet..... temps stay within norms also.
Click to expand...

if you really maxed out the quad i7 (all 8 threads over 90% utilization), you would most likely hear the fan spinning at over 5000+ rpm. if you don't hear the fan, then something may be wrong with a sensor or fan and the mini may not be cooling itself properly. try this cpu test app to max out your cpu (try the big test type with 8 instances).

----------
Sibbe.85 said:
Is it true that Mac mini has à higher idling fan speed. 2300rpm vs 1800rpm on the nonserver one?
Click to expand...

correct. 1800 for mini, 2300 for server. if you have sensitive ears or work in a super quiet environment, you will most likely hear the server fan and hdds if its sitting on your desk. but that could be said for pretty much any computer.

----------
OTACORB said:
The non-server is 2000 RPM and the server is 2300 RPM.
Click to expand...
does smcfanctrol only go down to 2000 rpm, because the real base is 1800. if so, that's another reason not to use smcfancontrol. also i don't see the point of manually setting the fan speed as needed when there's a fan control app that does it dynamically for you.
 
indg said:
correct. 1800 for mini, 2300 for server. if you have sensitive ears or work in a super quiet environment, you will most likely hear the server fan and hdds if its sitting on your desk. but that could be said for pretty much any computer.

does smcfanctrol only go down to 2000 rpm, because the real base is 1800. if so, that's another reason not to use smcfancontrol. also i don't see the point of manually setting the fan speed as needed when there's a fan control app that does it dynamically for you.
Click to expand...

I have used a few different fan controllers and some of them do go below 2000 RPM, but each of them report the default for the non-server mini as 2000 RPM. So, I don't know if you are correct in that, but you could be. I am just reporting what these fan controllers are indicating.

I personally don't change the default, but I usually install these things just to see what the RPM is at any given time as I am working the CPU.
 
otacorb, you're seeing 2000 because you're using smcfancontrol. uninstall it and restart (smc reset may be necessary) and other fan speed reporting apps like istat will show 1800.
 
indg said:
otacorb, you're seeing 2000 because you're using smcfancontrol. uninstall it and restart (smc reset may be necessary) and other fan speed reporting apps like istat will show 1800.
Click to expand...

Just did this and you are right! I stand corrected!

Thanks for the info! That certainly explains why folks are seeing a big difference in temp readings.
 
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@otacorb:
So you have the server and the base mini, what's your main utilisation ?

Wanna know if the server can handle heavy graphic work in photoshop without the descrete graphic card.

Thanks
 
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