New base 21.5 iMac over previous model

[Jamaway]

Just ordered the base model 21.5.

Should hopefully have it before then end of the week. Excited

One question though - is this current new base model significantly improved over the previous version? I'm a total noob when it comes to processors etc

Could someone break it down for me?

 

[Hellhammer]

The CPU is faster but unless you do something like video encoding, you won't notice it. Some benchmarks here (compare the Core 2 Duo E8600 and Core i3 540). The GPU is the same as in previous gen high-end 21.5" so basically, you got the high-end 21.5" for the $ of base in addition with better CPU

 

[Jamaway]

Cheers.

Also just spotted this which answers lots of questions.

http://www.zdnet.co.uk/reviews/desktop-pcs/2010/07/28/apple-imac-summer-2010-40089668/

Thanks again.

 

[newdeal]

Multimedia

Ok so I am a bit confused. At first I was going to get the new one. Then when I saw only modest performance gains and something I really wouldn't notice I thought maybe I would get the old one and upgrade to 8gb of ram since I have 4gb of ram from my MacBook pro I could use. Now when I see the multimedia multitasking performance I am unsure again. I plan to use the iMac as a general computer, and simultaneously a media server running windows media center with vmware fusion. I ram and CPU are likely both important but I don't really want to buy new 1333 ram when I already have 1066. Which would be better?