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Optional 3.33GHz Core 2 Duo v 2.66GHz Quad Core i5

urbanmacUser

urbanmacUser

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Sep 9, 2008
291
265
I was interested to see what the difference between the optional 3.33Ghz Core 2 Duo and the 2.66GHz Quad-Core i5 is.

Here in the UK the 27" iMac with the 3.33ghz added is £1,509.00 while the 2.66GHz Quad-Core i5 is £1,599.00, so only £90 more for the i5 plus you get better graphics.

A quick search I found this post asking similar question:
http://sillydog.org/forum/sdp_98328.php

Looking at the charts the £90 extra is well worth it!
 
I would agree with that - the i5 should in theory kick the pants of the dual core (in apps that are multi-core aware anyways). The dual core is a no-brainer unless you are trying to shave off the ££.
 
I have the same question. I posted this in the "buying guide" section, but to no response yet:

This is exactly what I am trying to figure out. What about the custom configurations available online? I've been waiting to purchase an iMac, and frankly I don't know if I can wait until the end of November for the new quad-core (I don't really know when in Nov. they are supposed to ship).

The Duel-Core is available at 3.33GHz on the 27in iMac. How will this compare to the Quad-Core i5, which is supposed to only go up to 3.2GHz with the Turbo Boost feature? The two are nearly the same price, but of course the Duel-Core is available today and it's a little cheaper. Also, I don't want to have to buy a new computer in the next few years so I'd like something that won't become obsolete. Could this happen with a Duel-Core? Also, what about the cache? Does it make any difference that the Duel-Core is 6MB L2 cache while the Quad is an 8MB L3 cache?

Really, I don't tend to run many programs at the same time, and my primary functions for the new computer will be hard-core gaming and amateur photography.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.
 
sfmountainbiker said:
I have the same question. I posted this in the "buying guide" section, but to no response yet:

This is exactly what I am trying to figure out. What about the custom configurations available online? I've been waiting to purchase an iMac, and frankly I don't know if I can wait until the end of November for the new quad-core (I don't really know when in Nov. they are supposed to ship).

The Duel-Core is available at 3.33GHz on the 27in iMac. How will this compare to the Quad-Core i5, which is supposed to only go up to 3.2GHz with the Turbo Boost feature? The two are nearly the same price, but of course the Duel-Core is available today and it's a little cheaper. Also, I don't want to have to buy a new computer in the next few years so I'd like something that won't become obsolete. Could this happen with a Duel-Core? Also, what about the cache? Does it make any difference that the Duel-Core is 6MB L2 cache while the Quad is an 8MB L3 cache?

Really, I don't tend to run many programs at the same time, and my primary functions for the new computer will be hard-core gaming and amateur photography.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

The Quad-Core processors are much better for video encoding and multi-threaded apps. It is far more future proof and if you can afford it, get it.
 
Thanks, I just finished pricing it out online.

After the education discount and CA taxes, the 27" 3.33 duel-core with upgraded graphics will cost $2,242.14 compared to the base model 27" 2.66 quad-core which would cost $2,225.72 or actually $16 cheaper. So it's really not a question of price, but more of functionality.
 
Yep, definately well worth the extra £90 in my opinion!
signature_silverapple.jpg
 
sfmountainbiker said:
Thanks, I just finished pricing it out online.

After the education discount and CA taxes, the 27" 3.33 duel-core with upgraded graphics will cost $2,242.14 compared to the base model 27" 2.66 quad-core which would cost $2,225.72 or actually $16 cheaper. So it's really not a question of price, but more of functionality.
Click to expand...

i got the duo too yesterday, except the the processor with 3.06GHz and 8G RAM(maybe u have that too)
 
Resale value people, That $90 now will turn into an extra $200-$300+ when you go to sell it when it comes time for a new machine.
 
Turbo Boost makes that Core i5 750 a 3.2 GHz dual core when needed. :p

Don't forget the architectural differences.

Arcadie said:
Resale value people, That $90 now will turn into an extra $200-$300+ when you go to sell it when it comes time for a new machine.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't want to make that gamble. Look what happened to the 3.06 GHz iMac from the previous generation.
 
Arcadie said:
Resale value people, That $90 now will turn into an extra $200-$300+ when you go to sell it when it comes time for a new machine.
Click to expand...
It doesn't work like that here in The Netherlands. Those "old" iMacs are pretty hard to sell at a reasonable price.

I would never choose something just for resale value.
 
Did you say that you're a hardcore gamer? then get a PC if you'll be mostly running windows on your machine...
 
G-Force said:
It doesn't work like that here in The Netherlands. Those "old" iMacs are pretty hard to sell at a reasonable price.

I would never choose something just for resale value.
Click to expand...

Wow hard to sell, at least in my part of the country (Texas) used iMacs get a pretty good price.
 
sfmountainbiker said:
I have the same question. I posted this in the "buying guide" section, but to no response yet:

This is exactly what I am trying to figure out. What about the custom configurations available online? I've been waiting to purchase an iMac, and frankly I don't know if I can wait until the end of November for the new quad-core (I don't really know when in Nov. they are supposed to ship).

The Duel-Core is available at 3.33GHz on the 27in iMac. How will this compare to the Quad-Core i5, which is supposed to only go up to 3.2GHz with the Turbo Boost feature? The two are nearly the same price, but of course the Duel-Core is available today and it's a little cheaper. Also, I don't want to have to buy a new computer in the next few years so I'd like something that won't become obsolete. Could this happen with a Duel-Core? Also, what about the cache? Does it make any difference that the Duel-Core is 6MB L2 cache while the Quad is an 8MB L3 cache?

Really, I don't tend to run many programs at the same time, and my primary functions for the new computer will be hard-core gaming and amateur photography.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

Seriously specboy, grow some tits and get the top spec i7.
 
Eidorian said:
Turbo Boost makes that Core i5 750 a 3.2 GHz dual core when needed. :p

Don't forget the architectural differences.

I wouldn't want to make that gamble. Look what happened to the 3.06 GHz iMac from the previous generation.
Click to expand...

I'm curious. What did happen to the 3.06 Ghz iMac form the previous generation? Has it not held it's resale value? If anything, I'd think that the resale value on the 3.06 8800GS would be higher than the 2.93 GT 120?
 
johtaja said:
Seriously specboy, grow some tits and get the top spec i7.
Click to expand...

Damn you johtaja! This is exactly the kind of encouragement I don't need. Now I'm pricing out the i7...it comes in at $2,422.82...which is about $400 more than I wanted to spend, and about but only $200 more than the i5. So tempting.... :cool:
 
sfroom said:
I'm curious. What did happen to the 3.06 Ghz iMac form the previous generation? Has it not held it's resale value? If anything, I'd think that the resale value on the 3.06 8800GS would be higher than the 2.93 GT 120?
Click to expand...
Refurbished the 3.06 GHz, GT130 model is $1,349 now or you can get the new 21.5" model for $1,199.
 
Buying 21.5" iMac in the morning

I don't have the headroom in my office for a 27 inch so am going to go with the 21.5" with the 3.33GHz, 8GB, and 1TB hard drive. I had same concerns of staying with the core 2 duo for next 4 years vs. the i5 or i7 processor on the 27".

Came to the conclusion that I can future proof with top of the line 21.5" for next 4-5 years. Most of my use is online research, e-mail and photos so I probably wouldn't notice the difference. I still have the capacity for gaming, etc. if I should want that later. Besides, the good thing is I'm moving over from a Dell desktop to the iMac.
 
Buying 21.5" iMac in the morning

I would but don't have the space. Besides, going from my 19" Dell the 21.5 will be even better. Wonder why Mac doesn't offer the i5 and i7 in the 21.5? Not everyone wants a 27" screen. Do they need the extra space for cooling? I feel penalized that I can't get the latest tech in a big screen (21.5").
 
I'll be ordering when I see some real world test, until then its back to the G5
 
ordered 21.5" today

I ordered the 21.5 today with 3.33GHz and 8GB, ATI 4670 with 256MB, extended keyboard and magic mouse. I would have liked to have had access to the i5 or i7 chip and more advanced graphics card but for what I do I think I'll be happy for the next 3-4 yrs. and it will be light years ahead of my nearly 5 yr. old Dell desk top in all respects. Now I just have to relearn the Mac OS and its capabilities - actually look forward to that vs. the MS OS.
 
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