Should I get the 21.5" with a 2.8 i7 or the 27" 2.7 i5?

[mkrndll]

UPDATE: What about RAM? 4Gb or 8Gb? How much real difference is there?

Hi,

They're finally out!!

I'm gonna get my first iMac and I need your help understanding which one fits better my needs.
Basically, my budget lets me choose within a 21.5" with a 2.8 i7 processor or a 27" with a 2.7 i5 processor.

I prefer the computer to have more power than screen real estate, but I just don't know how much a difference there is between an i5 and an i7 and if that difference is worth the smaller screen size.

Thanks for your help!

 

[iamthedudeman]

Hi,

They're finally out!!

I'm gonna get my first iMac and I need your help understanding which one fits better my needs.
Basically, my budget lets me choose within a 21.5" with a 2.8 i7 processor or a 27" with a 2.7 i5 processor.

I prefer the computer to have more power than screen real estate, but I just don't know how much a difference there is between an i5 and an i7 and if that difference is worth the smaller screen size.

Thanks for your help!

Not much difference in every day use. You will see a difference with highly threaded applications, thats about it. So no it's not worth it. Go with the 27.

 

[mackage]

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1146818/

The 2.8 will be a little faster.

 

[mkrndll]

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1146818/

The 2.8 will be a little faster.

Thanks for the link! Looking at the numbers it seems to me like it would be a good deal faster. Am I not reading them right?

I should probably add that I won't do any 3D image rendering nor video editing (photoshop is probably the most resource intensive program that I'll use), but I want to make sure that it runs really smooth for about 3 years.

 

[gorcman]

unless you plan on using ur imac for professional use or some hardcore video editting, i doubt you'll notice an improvement in an i7 over an i5. If you plan on gaming on ur imac, most games these days dont even take advantage of hyperthreading so i7 would be pointless.

 

[mackage]

Thanks for the link! Looking at the numbers it seems to me like it would be a good deal faster. Am I not reading them right?

If you use programs such as those tested that will take advantage of all those cores, AND you think that time saved is worth it....then yes. I personally don't think the upgrade is worth it and will be buying the base 27" 2.7. Judging from the 32 bit geekbench that was posted, this processor should be close to the very top of the line 2.93 BTO from last year.

 

[gorcman]

If photoshop is going to be the most intensive program you plan on running, Id honestly just get the base line 21.5 inch iMac. Put the $500 you save from not getting the fully loaded 21.5" towards buying a new iMac a few years down the road

 

[mkrndll]

Ok, it seems that most of you favor the 27" i5 so that's that . Thanks for your comments.

Now about RAM. I'm planning on getting the upgraded RAM from a local retail store that sells it much cheaper. My question is again: what's the real difference between 4Gb and 8Gb?

 

[mkrndll]

If photoshop is going to be the most intensive program you plan on running, Id honestly just get the base line 21.5 inch iMac. Put the $500 you save from not getting the fully loaded 21.5" towards buying a new iMac a few years down the road

XDD, I've thought of that too, but I'm tired of changing computers every year and I'm trying to get a more durable solution.

 

[a.visionaree]

What about Final Cut Pro Suite?

If photoshop is going to be the most intensive program you plan on running, Id honestly just get the base line 21.5 inch iMac. Put the $500 you save from not getting the fully loaded 21.5" towards buying a new iMac a few years down the road

Do you think it would be beneficial to get the i7 21.5" or the 27" i5?

I'm thinking the i7 smaller screen, to get that more power, when they upgrade Final Cut to the 64 bit Processing, (Hopefully this year)