2ghz or 2.4ghz?

[Kuchiki0]

Hi! I hope this is the right forum to ask this on, as I am debating before I buy an iMac.

Basically, I'm in the market for a 20" iMac, but the processor difference has me confused. I'm wanting to know which would be better for me - a 2ghz processor or a 2.4ghz processor. There seems to be a huge price point difference and I want to know if the 2.4ghz is worth it. The most intensive program I will be using is Adobe Photoshop... the rest is just internet browsing. No gaming or anything like that. RAM will be upgraded to 4gb regardless of what I get, if that makes a difference... I'm really iMac stupid here as this will be my first apple machine, so I apologize if I come off as unintelligent!

Anyway, any input would be appreciated! Thanks in advance!

[Garemz]

more power always better, you can never get enough.

[neiltc13]

more power always better, you can never get enough.

The benefits to a 2.4GHz processor over a 2.0 are marginal at best. There really isn't a noticeable difference in performance, even in CPU intensive applications.

[Piaget]

The benefits to a 2.4GHz processor over a 2.0 are marginal at best. There really isn't a noticeable difference in performance, even in CPU intensive applications.

I agree, especially if you decide to bump up the RAM to 4 GB.

The real question is whether you need (want?) the backlit keyboard for the $300 premium. Having opened a MBP (briefly), I personally found it quite gimmicky and would never go for it.

[aaquib]

I honestly don't think 400mhz isn't an upgrade significant enough. I use Photoshop on my 2.1 Macbook and it runs great. It just does sometimes take up a lot of RAM when I have a bunch of layers/projects open, but you'll have that covered either ways.

[aaquib]

I agree, especially if you decide to bump up the RAM to 4 GB.

The real question is whether you need (want?) the backlit keyboard for the $300 premium. Having opened a MBP (briefly), I personally found it quite gimmicky and would never go for it.

The OP is referring to an iMac, so the backlit keyboard is irrelevant.

[Kuchiki0]

The benefits to a 2.4GHz processor over a 2.0 are marginal at best. There really isn't a noticeable difference in performance, even in CPU intensive applications.

Okay, cool! That's really what I wanted to know. Thank you, all of you, for your advice.

[Abstract]

The benefits to a 2.4GHz processor over a 2.0 are marginal at best. There really isn't a noticeable difference in performance, even in CPU intensive applications.

I don't think they're "marginal". If you need the power, then you need the power.

The OP doesn't need the power, so I'd go for the 2.0 GHz iMac.

[txhockey9404]

I have one with 1gb RAM and it does OK. I would definitely get 4gb for Photoshop though! I am going to upgrade to 3 myself in the coming months. (Just spent the last of my spare cash, gotta wait for it to build up again)

[Piaget]

The OP is referring to an iMac, so the backlit keyboard is irrelevant.

My mistake !

[themanfromvlad]

I got a refurb 2.4 Ghz iMac last month, and lucky me, RAM went on special at a local Electronics shop the same week. After a price match with Best Buy, I got 4GB of RAM for $59 Canadian. My iMac is a beast right now.