iMac GT130 or 4850!? Need advice/help!

[maxap]

Hey guys!

I have been waiting for ages till the recent upgrade of the iMacs...
I wanted to buy a great new iMac as a birthday present for my little brother, but it must a perfect machine which will last a long time (3/4 years).

The high-end iMac is the one I am going to buy, the only problem is what graphic card to choose. GT130 must be good enough, as it is pretty equal to 8800GS. I think however that it would be better to wait 4-6 weeks and to buy an iMac with an Ati 4850 graphic card.

Could anyone tell me why the card of Ati better is better than that of Nvidia (GT130)? I couldn't find much info on the internet.

The thing I am worried about, is the fact that a more powerfull Ati card will be more power-hungry and will get much hotter resulting in the iMac's fans spinning at the max speed. I am afraid my bro won't be able to work on his iMac in silence... He is not a big gamer (not at all actually), but I would like his new iMac to be futureproof as Snow Leopard may use that graphic power very well and as it is great to have a good graphic adapter for watching movies in 1080p etc.

Any advice is highly appreciated... Thx..

[mudenza]

4850 wins no questions asked.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Graphics-Cards-Benchmark-List.844.0.html

[Eidorian]

4850 > 8800m GTS > GT130

Hopefully all mobile components.

[maxap]

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Graphics-Cards-Benchmark-List.844.0.html

I am surprised to see the ranks:

14: Radeon HD 4850 Mobile|3DMark06 Score: 9577
38: GT 130 Mobile|3DMark06 Score: 5816
50: GT 120 Mobile|3DMark06 Score: 5431
69: Radeon 2600 (Mobile from old iMac, and not the "PRO" version)|3DMark06 Score: 3134
96: GeForce 9400M|3DMark06 Score: 2067

The 8800GS from the old iMac is on the 25th place... So I suppose it is better to wait for the Ati 4850 to arrive... But I am affraid the iMac will run much hotter then.... :(

[mudenza]

But I am affraid the iMac will run much hotter then.... :(

Are you more afraid about the heat, or the noise?

[maxap]

Are you more afraid about the heat, or the noise?

I am afraid about the heat which will lead to more noise... In this case I think it is logical to choose in favour of the GT130 as it's not so high-end as the 4850 and thus will run cooler....

[larrymarshall2]

I'm in about the same boat...wondering if the GT 130 is for me or the 4850.

Looking for advice...I'm looking to use it for motion graphics with Motion 3 and FCP. Not looking at doing much HD stuff on it at the moment, but I am wanting to play some games (especially starcraft 2).

I see that it's only $50 more to upgrade to the 4850 if you're ordering the GT 130, but the wait changes from 1-3 days to 4-6 weeks. I had a bad experience with ordering some previously from Apple (my current PowerMac G5 duel 2.5ghz) said it would ship in 3 weeks, was delayed 2 months. Does this happen often and will this happen to the iMac with a 4850 in it?

Also, if I order 4850, and 6 weeks go by and they still don't ship, am I able to change the GPU back to the GT 130?

[mudenza]

I'm in about the same boat...wondering if the GT 130 is for me or the 4850.

Looking for advice...I'm looking to use it for motion graphics with Motion 3 and FCP.

Then, definitely go for the ATI.

I am afraid about the heat which will lead to more noise... In this case I think it is logical to choose in favour of the GT130 as it's not so high-end as the 4850 and thus will run cooler....

I really can't say which is better in terms of being quieter/cooler since I haven't had any first hand experience, but I've gathered from other threads that the 4850 will most probably run hotter (no idea about the noise)

If you're weighing in more the noise/heat more than the performance and you aren't interested in the Pro applications, go for the 130 M, its one of Nvidia's best mobile card (just one rung below the 8800 GTX)

[maxap]

I'm in about the same boat...wondering if the GT 130 is for me or the 4850.

Looking for advice...I'm looking to use it for motion graphics with Motion 3 and FCP. Not looking at doing much HD stuff on it at the moment, but I am wanting to play some games (especially starcraft 2).

I see that it's only $50 more to upgrade to the 4850 if you're ordering the GT 130, but the wait changes from 1-3 days to 4-6 weeks. I had a bad experience with ordering some previously from Apple (my current PowerMac G5 duel 2.5ghz) said it would ship in 3 weeks, was delayed 2 months. Does this happen often and will this happen to the iMac with a 4850 in it?

Also, if I order 4850, and 6 weeks go by and they still don't ship, am I able to change the GPU back to the GT 130?

I think you shouldn't worry about that. My Apple experience has been great. Last year I bought a high-end iMac and because I had a dead pixel right in the middle of the screen, I decided to return it. I gave Apple a call, next day a TNT guy stood at my door, I gave the iMac back to him and in about a week Apple gave my money back...
At the end of 2008 I bough a new alu MBP and I still love this machine...
So, Apple is a great company and you shouldn't worry about those stupid things...

The biggest problem for me at the moment is what graphic card to choose... I would like to go for GT130 as the birthday of my brother is in about 2 weeks so I can't wait 4-6 weeks.. .But if the 4850 worth it, I can give his present to him a bit later...

I checked some info on the internet and the power consumption of the 4850 is about 45-65W (Ati wasn't clear about it), while that of the GT130 is 23W...
So I guess the Ati's child will run twice as hot as his Nvidia companion (or even hotter)...

Hmmm.... but the speed increase is just incredible for extra 41 euro and totally worth it...

What should we do???? :(

[cybertron3]

If I wait for the 4850, I will need to order online. I live in MA so sales tax is over $100. If I go with the GT130, I can drive to NH and get it tax free today. The latter seems more preferable in my case... still deciding :/

[maxap]

Then, definitely go for the ATI.



I really can't say which is better in terms of being quieter/cooler since I haven't had any first hand experience, but I've gathered from other threads that the 4850 will most probably run hotter (no idea about the noise)

If you're weighing in more the noise/heat more than the performance and you aren't interested in the Pro applications, go for the 130 M, its one of Nvidia's best mobile card (just one rung below the 8800 GTX)

As far as I understood it, the GT130 isn't that good at all.... See the benchmark list http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Graphics-Cards-Benchmark-List.844.0.html ... there are much better graphic adapters out there...

[medic349]

I bought a 24 inch Imac (my first mac !) almost 2 weeks ago and yesterday while walking thru the mall i saw the new models had come out. I had teh 3.06 with the 8800 graphics card. I went in this morning and exchanged it ( with absolutely NO hassle.. Another reason I am sold on Mac) now the only game I play religiously is WOW and even tho it will run on just about everything there were spots in the LK expansion that got kind of laggy with everything maxed out. With the new model I can run everything maxed out and with the FPS set to 60 it actually runs better on the new machine. I've heard that the game is more processor and ram dependent than video but one thing is for sure, the mac is running ALOT cooler now than it was with the 8800. After long Naxx raids I could almost literally cook an egg on the thing while now its barely warm to the touch. I will get back after trying more games but for an even exchange it was well worth it

[maxap]

I bought a 24 inch Imac (my first mac !) almost 2 weeks ago and yesterday while walking thru the mall i saw the new models had come out. I had teh 3.06 with the 8800 graphics card. I went in this morning and exchanged it ( with absolutely NO hassle.. Another reason I am sold on Mac) now the only game I play religiously is WOW and even tho it will run on just about everything there were spots in the LK expansion that got kind of laggy with everything maxed out. With the new model I can run everything maxed out and with the FPS set to 60 it actually runs better on the new machine. I've heard that the game is more processor and ram dependent than video but one thing is for sure, the mac is running ALOT cooler now than it was with the 8800. After long Naxx raids I could almost literally cook an egg on the thing while now its barely warm to the touch. I will get back after trying more games but for an even exchange it was well worth it

Thx a lot for your story.... So... it seems like the new iMacs run cooler... Great news!!!! :)

[mudenza]

As far as I understood it, the GT130 isn't that good at all.... See the benchmark list http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Graphics-Cards-Benchmark-List.844.0.html ... there are much better graphic adapters out there...

It certainly isn't top of the range like the newly released 280 M cards, but its more than adequate enough to play, for example, GTA 4 very well.

If you notice, the 3D Mark Score for the GT 130 is higher than some cards that are ranked above it.

Have a look at Barefeats if you're unsure, I'll give you an example below (N.B. 8800 GS = 120 M)

http://www.barefeats.com/harper22.html

Again, performance wise the 4850 wins. If I were you I'd pic the 4850. If it gets too hot and loud er....turn up some music and turn on the A/C :D

[gasport]

cybertron3

Wait for the 4850, you will not regret it. Do your civic duty and pay the sales tax. Patrick needs the money and you will probably save someone's job in the process...... I hear the State Police are parked outside the Salem and Nashua stores.....:D

[larrymarshall2]

Thank you for the inputs. I still have the burning question of if I wait 6 weeks with the 4850 and still no shipment, can I cancel and get the 130 easily?

[gasport]

Thank you for the inputs. I still have the burning question of if I wait 6 weeks with the 4850 and still no shipment, can I cancel and get the 130 easily?

No problem. I ordered the 4850 and asked if I could switch. They said yes. I had mistakenly ordered the non numeric keypad and called them up and they made the change immediately. The iMac with the 4850 will ship as soon as OS X 10.5.7 is released as it is needed to provide support for the graphics card.

[gmanrique]

Hey there,

Thanks for the info. Could you please let us know which model you got today/yesterday (GT 120 or GT 130)? Also, just for reference, I can't remember, was the 8800 the stock top of the line card in the previous rev. or an even higher upgrade, similar to current ATI HD 4850?

Thanks again.

Thanks in advance.
I bought a 24 inch Imac (my first mac !) almost 2 weeks ago and yesterday while walking thru the mall i saw the new models had come out. I had teh 3.06 with the 8800 graphics card. I went in this morning and exchanged it ( with absolutely NO hassle.. Another reason I am sold on Mac) now the only game I play religiously is WOW and even tho it will run on just about everything there were spots in the LK expansion that got kind of laggy with everything maxed out. With the new model I can run everything maxed out and with the FPS set to 60 it actually runs better on the new machine. I've heard that the game is more processor and ram dependent than video but one thing is for sure, the mac is running ALOT cooler now than it was with the 8800. After long Naxx raids I could almost literally cook an egg on the thing while now its barely warm to the touch. I will get back after trying more games but for an even exchange it was well worth it

[Eidorian]

Hey there,

Thanks for the info. Could you please let us know which model you got today/yesterday (GT 120 or GT 130)? Also, just for reference, I can't remember, was the 8800 the stock top of the line card in the previous rev. or an even higher upgrade, similar to current ATI HD 4850?

Thanks again.

Thanks in advance.To be honest I'd get a refurbished iMac with the 8800M GTS in it.

4850 > 8800M GTS > GT 130M

[maxap]

To be honest with you, I don't know which graphic card to choose.

As I can see, the GT130 is even worse than the 8800GS which we could buy in the previous iMac model. http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Graphics-Cards-Benchmark-List.844.0.html

I don't want to believe that the GT130 has a lower scores in 3DMark than the 8800GS... But I guess it is true... If so, then the Ati 4850 is the way to go...
The other point is that I prefer buying the new iMac right now as I need to get it before the birthday of my brother... So, the Gt13 is the only one option... however I think I will regret not going for the faster Ati4850 for only 41 euros...

Don't know what to do... :(

[Eidorian]

8800M GTS > GT130 = 9650M GT ~~ 8700M GT

More or less.

[larrymarshall2]

No problem. I ordered the 4850 and asked if I could switch. They said yes. I had mistakenly ordered the non numeric keypad and called them up and they made the change immediately. The iMac with the 4850 will ship as soon as OS X 10.5.7 is released as it is needed to provide support for the graphics card.

Ahh, so the delay isn't for availability of the 4850, but is with the OS update. That makes me feel better because before the delay in apple shipping my G5 was said to be due to the 2.5ghz not cooling correctly coupled with limited availability with my stock options.

[maxap]

8800M GTS > GT130 = 9650M GT ~~ 8700M GT

More or less.

I guess you're right...

The logical thing to do will then be waiting for the 4850 as it seems to be much better than those GT130/GT120 cards.... Unfortunately, my little brother won't get his present on his birthday but a couple of weeks later... :(

[gmanrique]

I read medic349's post where he mentioned he exchanged his 2 weeks old iMac with the 8800 chip for a new iMac, and he already gets better performance and less heat with the new one. I am trying to identify which new one he got, the one with the GT120 or the GT130, since the ATI HD4850 is not available yet.

That's why I am not sure yet that the 8800>GT130 is definite yet. It is frustrating not to find any information from NVIDIA nor Apple regarding these GT120 and GT130 cards.

To be honest I'd get a refurbished iMac with the 8800M GTS in it.

4850 > 8800M GTS > GT 130M

[Eidorian]

That's why I am not sure yet that the 8800>GT130 is definite yet. It is frustrating not to find any information from NVIDIA nor Apple regarding these GT120 and GT130 cards.Why not? The 8800M GTS has double the shaders (64:28:16 vs. 32:16:8) and the same VRAM clocks. Core and shader clock speeds are tossed around so there's no way to be sure there.

[gmanrique]

The specs support the 8800 > GT130. It is common, however, that real life experience probes to be different than theory. I know so far I just have medic349's real life experience with a new iMac. These machines were just released yesterday so it is going to take a couple of days before we get some real tests, but medic349 happens to try the 8800 on a GPU intensive game and compare it to a new one (not clear yet which one, 120 or 130).

I am also confused because Apple specs are GT120 and GT130, as opposed to GT120M and GT130M, similar to the Mac Pro new base card, the GT 120 (albeit with 512 VRAM), and there is no real tech info an a GT 120 or a GT130 anywhere. I find hard to believe Apple will replace an already aging video card with an even worst one, but you never know.

Why not? The 8800M GTS has double the shaders (64:28:16 vs. 32:16:8) and the same VRAM clocks. Core and shader clock speeds are tossed around so there's no way to be sure there.

[Eidorian]

The desktop cards are as follows.

GT120 = 9500GT = 8600GT
GT130 = 9600GT

[FoxHoundADAM]

I'm in about the same boat...wondering if the GT 130 is for me or the 4850.

Looking for advice...I'm looking to use it for motion graphics with Motion 3 and FCP. Not looking at doing much HD stuff on it at the moment, but I am wanting to play some games (especially starcraft 2).

I see that it's only $50 more to upgrade to the 4850 if you're ordering the GT 130, but the wait changes from 1-3 days to 4-6 weeks. I had a bad experience with ordering some previously from Apple (my current PowerMac G5 duel 2.5ghz) said it would ship in 3 weeks, was delayed 2 months. Does this happen often and will this happen to the iMac with a 4850 in it?

Also, if I order 4850, and 6 weeks go by and they still don't ship, am I able to change the GPU back to the GT 130?By the time you are talking the 130 or the 4850 there really is no excuse to get the 4850. The price difference is only what $45? It's clearly superior card and you can't tell me that that last $45 is braking the bank on your $1,800 machine.

[maxap]

Guys, do I understand it correctly that the GT130 of the new iMacs that we are talking about is the underclocked version of the desktop GT130 and not the GT130M????
If so, then this card must be pretty powerful and we shouldn't look at the benchmarks of notebookcheck.net where only the GT130M is stated....

[Eidorian]

Guys, do I understand it correctly that the GT130 of the new iMacs that we are talking about is the underclocked version of the desktop GT130 and not the GT130M????
If so, then this card must be pretty powerfull and we shouldn't look at the benchmarks of notebookcheck.net where only the GT130M is stated....We don't know right now if Apple is using desktop components. I'll put money it's another mobile video card name game that they don't want to reveal. We need someone to post some GPU-Z screenshots.

[maxap]

We don't know right now if Apple is using desktop components. I'll put money it's another mobile video card name game that they don't want to reveal. We need someone to post some GPU-Z screenshots.

Allright... so I guess the best option here is just to be patient and to wait a bit for the detailed info about new iMacs/the 4850 and its support in Leopard to show up....
Because 41$/€ for a new graphic card which is by far better/faster than the GT130 is really nothing... I am only concerned about the heat/noise issues with the 4850 as it is much faster and must get pretty hot...

[gmanrique]

It seems as it is the desktop one. We have at least one real life experience, more than a formal test, from a former owner of a prev. generation iMac (with 8800 video card) who just switched to a new one. Yes, mr. medic349, I am talking about you. :)

I hope he gets online soon and provide some input.

Guys, do I understand it correctly that the GT130 of the new iMacs that we are talking about is the underclocked version of the desktop GT130 and not the GT130M????
If so, then this card must be pretty powerfull and we shouldn't look at the benchmarks of notebookcheck.net where only the GT130M is stated....

[avihappy]

Allright... so I guess the best option here is just to be patient and to wait a bit for the detailed info about new iMacs/the 4850 and its support in Leopard to show up....
Because 41$/€ for a new graphic card which is by far better/faster than the GT130 is really nothing... I am only concerned about the heat/noise issues with the 4850 as it is much faster and must get pretty hot...

If it was noisy and made the iMac overheat, do you really think Apple even sell it? They wouldn't knowingly sell you a broken computer!

As for your little bro, tell him that he will not be getting a good iMac, he will get a GREAT iMac if he waits.

I feel it's a shame when someone says they will go with the GT 130 because they don't want to wait the 4-6 weeks for the ATi 4850 (which only cost 50 bucks more than the GT 130); it screams shortsightedness.

[maxap]

I think so too... Because it seems unfortunate that Apple would introduce a new high-end iMac which has a worse/slower graphic card than the previous 8800GS...

[maxap]

If it was noisy and made the iMac overheat, do you really think Apple even sell it? They wouldn't knowingly sell you a broken computer!

As for your little bro, tell him that he will not be getting a good iMac, he will get a GREAT iMac if he waits.

haha... thx mate... I won't tell him anything about his new iMac... he doesn't even know he is going to get one on his birthday... This is more exciting as I see it :)

Probably I am going to wait a couple of weeks and order a high-end iMac with the 4850 in it, however I am not a big ATI fan... I trust nVidia products more...

[avihappy]

haha... thx mate... I won't tell him anything about his new iMac... he doesn't even know he is going to get one on his birthday... This is more exciting as I see it :)

Probably I am going to wait a couple of weeks and order a high-end iMac with the 4850 in it, however I am not a big ATI fan... I trust nVidia products more...

While I too am an nVidia fan, in the computer world you go with who is best. Right now, ATi is leading the pack in both Mobile GPUs and Desktop Cards.

Don't forget, nVidia also has questionable practices. For example, they rename their old cards so that the have a higher model number, making it hard to tell which is really better if you look at model number alone.

One more thing, I hear that ATi drivers on the Mac are better than nVidia drivers. Supposedly it's because ATi writes their own Mac drivers, while Apple has to write the drivers for nVidia chips.

I think the reason you have to wait a few weeks for the iMac is that the ATi 4850 drivers will be included in Mac OS 10.5.7 update.

[medic349]

The one I got 2 weeks ago was stock out of the box with 2 gigs of RAM, 500gig Hard Drive and the 8800 gt, I didn't upgrade anything. As I said I don't know if WOW runs better due to the increase in RAM or what, but for now like I said with the increase in RAM and Hard Drive space even if it were running the same as the 8800 did it was worth it.

[gmanrique]

Which model did you get now?

Thanks

The one I got 2 weeks ago was stock out of the box with 2 gigs of RAM, 500gig Hard Drive and the 8800 gt, I didn't upgrade anything. As I said I don't know if WOW runs better due to the increase in RAM or what, but for now like I said with the increase in RAM and Hard Drive space even if it were running the same as the 8800 did it was worth it.

[rsaeter]

Guys, do I understand it correctly that the GT130 of the new iMacs that we are talking about is the underclocked version of the desktop GT130 and not the GT130M????
If so, then this card must be pretty powerful and we shouldn't look at the benchmarks of notebookcheck.net where only the GT130M is stated....

Not sure if it means anything, but Nvidia says GT120 and GT 130 on their web page, not GT120M or GT130M. http://www.nvidia.com/page/apple.html
Would be interesting to know prices of the ATi and Nvidia cards, seeing as the difference is only $45.

And, which card would be better for HD video editing? Or isn't the GPU relevant?

Finally, how will the CUDA/OpenCL/SnowLeopard support differ from the two cards?

I know we'll see more benchmarks in the coming days, just wanted to get all my questions out there right away... I'm a first time MAC buyer, and want to make sure I'm ordering the right one. :p

[Eidorian]

Not sure if it means anything, but Nvidia says GT120 and GT 130 on their web page, not GT120M or GT130M. http://www.nvidia.com/page/apple.html
Would be interesting to know prices of the ATi and Nvidia cards, seeing as the difference is only $45.

And, which card would be better for HD video editing? Or isn't the GPU relevant?

Finally, how will the CUDA/OpenCL/SnowLeopard support differ from the two cards?

I know we'll see more benchmarks in the coming days, just wanted to get all my questions out there right away... I'm a first time MAC buyer, and want to make sure I'm ordering the right one. :pHD2600 Pro = Mobility HD2600XT

8800GS = 8800M GTS

I'll believe the GPU-Z screens over what Apple says.

[gasport]

I believe the M is indicative of this being the mobile version just like the 4850 is the mobility version of the ATI card not the desktop version.

[chewietobbacca]

Not sure if it means anything, but Nvidia says GT120 and GT 130 on their web page, not GT120M or GT130M. http://www.nvidia.com/page/apple.html
Would be interesting to know prices of the ATi and Nvidia cards, seeing as the difference is only $45.

And, which card would be better for HD video editing? Or isn't the GPU relevant?

Finally, how will the CUDA/OpenCL/SnowLeopard support differ from the two cards?

I know we'll see more benchmarks in the coming days, just wanted to get all my questions out there right away... I'm a first time MAC buyer, and want to make sure I'm ordering the right one. :p

CUDA is Nvidia only. In terms of OpenCL, which SnowLeopard is integrating, the 4850 has a significant computational edge

[medic349]

Sorry the posts have been slow, playing with my new toy today :) The one I got today has the Nvidia GeForce gt130 card in it. I've been looking trying to find the comparison between the 8800 that was in the one I exchanged and the GT130. The only thing I've found was the quote from mac that states they have increased the video performance. Someone in an earlier post stated that the GT130 would equate to a 9600 card and so far its clear that WOW runs alot smoother and has almost no dips in FPS like the 8800 machine I had did. I will pick up a copy of COD4 in the morning and see what kind of marks i get with it then.

[Eidorian]

Sorry the posts have been slow, playing with my new toy today :) The one I got today has the Nvidia GeForce gt130 card in it. I've been looking trying to find the comparison between the 8800 that was in the one I exchanged and the GT130. The only thing I've found was the quote from mac that states they have increased the video performance. Someone in an earlier post stated that the GT130 would equate to a 9600 card and so far its clear that WOW runs alot smoother and has almost no dips in FPS like the 8800 machine I had did. I will pick up a copy of COD4 in the morning and see what kind of marks i get with it then.Can you install Windows on it and run CPU-Z and GPU-Z?

[medic349]

According to barefeats.com as posted in another thread, the GT130 is an 8800Gs..

[Eidorian]

According to barefeats.com as posted in another thread, the GT130 is an 8800Gs..It can't be the desktop 9600GSO/8800GS in the current iMacs. :D

It has a 192-bit memory interface. The video RAM would once again fall in at 384/768 and it doesn't. You're going to be using a 128/256-bit one and I'll bet on 128-bit.

[Wormy23]

I know these are Apple benchies so they're not representative of everyday use... but:

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/9914/4850perf.th.png (http://img237.imageshack.us/my.php?image=4850perf.png)

Source: http://www.apple.com/imac/features.html Click on "View iMac Graphics Performance Chart".

Seems like ATi 4850 is ahead. I hope Barefeats.com gets some data soon :)

[itommyboy]

I bought a 24 inch Imac (my first mac !) almost 2 weeks ago and yesterday while walking thru the mall i saw the new models had come out. I had teh 3.06 with the 8800 graphics card. I went in this morning and exchanged it ( with absolutely NO hassle.. Another reason I am sold on Mac) now the only game I play religiously is WOW and even tho it will run on just about everything there were spots in the LK expansion that got kind of laggy with everything maxed out. With the new model I can run everything maxed out and with the FPS set to 60 it actually runs better on the new machine. I've heard that the game is more processor and ram dependent than video but one thing is for sure, the mac is running ALOT cooler now than it was with the 8800. After long Naxx raids I could almost literally cook an egg on the thing while now its barely warm to the touch. I will get back after trying more games but for an even exchange it was well worth it

Good to hear I'm in the same boat and will be returning my 3.06 Ghz iMac (that I bought one week ago) day after tomorrow. I to want to get the best new one out there but am curious medic, did you get the ati or stick with the stock Nvidia 130 - also I'm guessing you obviously swapped for another 3.06 GHz iMac? Please list your details as I'm very much in the same boat as you. When you say "I returned with no hassles" does this mean you did NOT have to pay 10% restocking fee? Do you live in the USA? Thanks in advance for any details you can provide me and enjoy your new iMac!

[itommyboy]

I know these are Apple benchies so they're not representative of everyday use... but:

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/9914/4850perf.th.png (http://img237.imageshack.us/my.php?image=4850perf.png)

Source: http://www.apple.com/imac/features.html Click on "View iMac Graphics Performance Chart".

Seems like ATi 4850 is ahead. I hope Barefeats.com gets some data soon :)

That is vs the 120. It's a bit closer of a race vs the 130 but the ATI is clearly the best card available with this latest iMac down I mean update. ;)

[medic349]

Good to hear I'm in the same boat and will be returning my 3.06 Ghz iMac (that I bought one week ago) day after tomorrow. I to want to get the best new one out there but am curious medic, did you get the ati or stick with the stock Nvidia 130 - also I'm guessing you obviously swapped for another 3.06 GHz iMac? Please list your details as I'm very much in the same boat as you. When you say "I returned with no hassles" does this mean you did NOT have to pay 10% restocking fee? Do you live in the USA? Thanks in advance for any details you can provide me and enjoy your new iMac!

Yes I exchanged it for a 24" 3.06 with the GT130 card. And when I say I returned it with "no hassles" .. I walked into the store (The Woodlands, Texas) and was greeted with odd looks because I was carrying the huge box and told them I loved everything about the mac and was wondering since the return date on the receipt was March 8th if I could exchange it for the model that came out the day before. I was told that it would be absolutely no problem, was in the store for maybe 15 minutes while they did the exchange and was NOT charged a restocking fee. The manager on duty said with a smile "oh we understand, we have alot of people exchanging them, for the increase in RAM and hard drive space, why wouldn't you?" As I said I am new to Mac and everything so far has been amazing from customer service at the store, to questions and even the exchange.
I also posted in a similar thread that the 3.06 24" Imac with the GT130 card I got yesterday in the exchange literally ran circles around the 24" I bought initially with the 8800 card while playing a full 25 man raid in WOW. All in all, I am more than happy with the new machine and the GT130 card..
Hope this and the post in the other thread helps a bit :)

[medic349]

My ONE complaint with the current version... I hate the itty bitty keyboard. For my money it was worth it to save the $45 on the video card which performs better than I could have expected and used it to buy the full sized keyboard.

[gasport]

My ONE complaint with the current version... I hate the itty bitty keyboard. For my money it was worth it to save the $45 on the video card which performs better than I could have expected and used it to buy the full sized keyboard.

If you purchase online you can get the keyboard with the numeric keypad at no additional cost.

[toonshorty]

I would get the HD 4850... That's if you can wait the extra 3-4 weeks. If not then just get GT 130

[chewietobbacca]

Personally, 4-5 weeks is a small price to pay for a video card I'll be using for 2 years!

[ebd.i.am]

Personally, 4-5 weeks is a small price to pay for a video card I'll be using for 2 years!

yeah that!

[altokoji]

Unfortunately, my little brother won't get his present on his birthday but a couple of weeks later... :(

maxap, I got into the same situation. I wanted to give my brother a MB as a birthday present. It was, however, heavily rumored that a new MB will come out soon. Of course I did not want to give him soon-to-be old MB and disappoint him when the new one came out. So, I made a coupon (with my terrible drawing of a MB) that said I will exchange the coupon with a new MB when it came out. I put it into an envelope and gave it to him. It took a month until it was actually announced but how eager and excited he was during that time!

[maxap]

maxap, I got into the same situation. I wanted to give my brother a MB as a birthday present. It was, however, heavily rumored that a new MB will come out soon. Of course I did not want to give him soon-to-be old MB and disappoint him when the new one came out. So, I made a coupon (with my terrible drawing of a MB) that said I will exchange the coupon with a new MB when it came out. I put it into an envelope and gave it to him. It took a month until it was actually announced but how eager and excited he was during that time!

Haha... great move... thx for your suggestion! I am still very undecided what to do: on one side I want to make my bro happy on his birthday, on another side I want to give him a new iMac which he'll be able to use for games and other tasks without any problem...

Thx anyway.... it was funny... :)