Mac Mini Speed Question

[RDReynolds]

I am looking for a Mac Mini that will run at least as fast as my MacBook Pro, which is a 2.9 GHz Intel Core i7...I assume I'd need the 2.3GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 would get me there? How close would the i5 get me?

Sorry for the stupid question, legit didn't know if I'd get the speed I was looking for on this. I'm looking to use it as a media server and run OpenEmu, specifically for arcade titles like NFL Blitz.

 

[COrocket]

I'm assuming you have a Mid 2012 MBP described here: http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/macbook_pro/specs/macbook-pro-core-i7-2.9-13-mid-2012-unibody-usb3-specs.html

If so, your processor benchmarks 4553 http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i7-3520M+@+2.90GHz
A dual core mini would benchmark 3804, slightly slower http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i5-3210M+@+2.50GHz
A quad core mini would be significantly faster at 7343 http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i7-3615QM+@+2.30GHz

Thats on CPU speed alone. There is a similar order of speed with Geekbench scores. Assuming that your laptop is only equipped with HD4000 graphics, then the mini's would run identical in that regard. That will probably be the limiting factor for games, and honestly I'm not familiar with what OpenEmu benefits from.

 

[RDReynolds]

Thanks. Not sure what OpenEmu is looking for mostly, as it is running emulation, but I'd think processing power. Think I will hunt down a refurb or open box Mini i7.

 

[KingKen1986]

I used the have the 2.9ghz core i7 cMPB mid 2012 model and I have the core i7 2.3ghz late 2012 Mac mini. As it seems to me, in real world computer performance the mini is much faster. In terms of games and stuff....starcraft 2 was very choppy with the settings i wanted to run it at on the macbook pro, and on my quad core mini it runs very smoothly. And processing wise the 4 cores as opposed to 2 on the cMBP adds a lot of power. I would recommend the 2.3ghz i7 Mac mini. I had the core i5 Mac mini and it crashed on me so I returned it and got the core i7 model. The core i5 model wouldn't get you there. The i7 model is over twice as fast as the i5 model. Hope this helps man.