Refurb iMac i5 vs i7

[hl450]

i5 quad core is at $1529

i7 quad core is at $1699

I definitely have decided to get a refurb 27inch iMac. but can't seem to decide between the two. Any suggestions?

I mostly do programming and very minimal graphical works(mostly for drawing figures for research papers) and obviously.. emails, web and minimal photo/video editing(personal).

If i do get i5, would it last about 4 years without causing frustration over speed and performance?

Thanks!

 

[JohnRN]

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/980356/

I myself just bought the refurb i7 yesterday, it's supposed to get here today (eagerly awaiting the FedEx lady). I say spend the extra 100 something get the i7, slightly faster core speed, plus has the hyperthreading, which while now there are not a ton of programs that can utilize it there will be as more programs are written to utilize multiple cores, etc.

 

[TheBritishBloke]

I'm planning to get the i7

For the sake of $170, you get a slightly faster clock speed, hugger levels of being future proof, largely as you get hyperthreading which gives you 4 virtual cores in addition to 4 real cores. It won't give you 2x power, but it definitely gives you some extra power, largely shown by a 2000+ increase in geek bench score.

I myself however am contemplating waiting for the next release to see whist they come up with. And if they don't entise me, then I'll get the new refurb.

 

[alph45]

this has been covered ad nauseam. i7 delivers better performance under very specific conditions such as compressing / outputting video, and even then you need to be using a codec that is HT aware. Rest of the time it's raw clock speed. Of course, we don't know what will take advantage of HT in the future.

 

[hl450]

Although, I dont' think i need i7.. iam leaning towards it after your posts... hmm

 

[dwd3885]

Although, I dont' think i need i7.. iam leaning towards it after your posts... hmm

even if you aren't using one app that utilizes the cores, if you like to multitask, the i7 will be the best cpu you can get.

 

[scienide09]

Based on the advice I found while scanning other threads and by starting my own, I went with the 27" i7 refurb. Price is too good to pass up, and this computer will meet all of my needs easily for some time to come.

 

[hl450]

I went ahead with i7 as well.. I guess I will enjoy it. already using 27inch base model(mid 2009) at work...

 

[BreadMaster]

Grrrr...

Everyone is saying i7!!!! But I don't have the money!!!

I'm in the same boat as you - (Here's my own thread)

What to do!!?!

I don't have a job (well, full time) - I don't have a credit card, I'm in school, so the purchase will have to go through my mom (she's cool with it, as long as I pay her up front). I have $1490, and I won't be getting any money until December (Christmas). I can squeeze up to the i5, but I feel the i7 is pushing it. An extra $210 + tax is out of my reach, and I don't have anything else to sell (I'm craigslisting my MBP, 22' Monitor, and Magic Mouse as it is to get to where I am now)

 

[JoelMarcey]

Grrrr...

Everyone is saying i7!!!! But I don't have the money!!!

I'm in the same boat as you - (Here's my own thread)

What to do!!?!

I don't have a job (well, full time) - I don't have a credit card, I'm in school, so the purchase will have to go through my mom (she's cool with it, as long as I pay her up front). I have $1490, and I won't be getting any money until December (Christmas). I can squeeze up to the i5, but I feel the i7 is pushing it. An extra $210 + tax is out of my reach, and I don't have anything else to sell (I'm craigslisting my MBP, 22' Monitor, and Magic Mouse as it is to get to where I am now)

No worries on the i5. I have one and love it. You will do just fine with it. When you got some money down the line, upgrade the RAM. You will have a smooth operating machine.