2010 27" i5 2.8 CPU upgrade worth it?

[jezzy]

Hi guys, recently acquired a mid 2010 iMac 27" i5 2.8, 5750 1gb video, ram.. and loving it.. although for gaming, it's a bit slower than my i7 quad 2011 mpb was.

I'm seeing i7 860 or i7 870 cpu's on eBay, saw the how to guide and feel comfortable tht I can do this. just wondering, in the end.. will I see an improvement on my gaming front? basically going from an i5 2.8 to an i7 2.8?

Ive also seen the video card 2gb upgrade on eBay, but for 600$? no tnx.

I use handbrake, photoshop, etc.. but mainly used for surfing and light gaming when the kids are a sleep!


thanks!

[chevalier433]

Originally Posted by jezzy

Hi guys, recently acquired a mid 2010 iMac 27" i5 2.8, 5750 1gb video, ram.. and loving it.. although for gaming, it's a bit slower than my i7 quad 2011 mpb was.

I'm seeing i7 860 or i7 870 cpu's on eBay, saw the how to guide and feel comfortable tht I can do this. just wondering, in the end.. will I see an improvement on my gaming front? basically going from an i5 2.8 to an i7 2.8?

Ive also seen the video card 2gb upgrade on eBay, but for 600$? no tnx.

I use handbrake, photoshop, etc.. but mainly used for surfing and light gaming when the kids are a sleep!


thanks!

Games dont benefit of i7 Hyperthreading.For light encoding,photoshop don't bother either change to i7.The graphic card upgrade worth you will see a lot of improvement in gaming but is a very expensive upgrade 1/3 the cost of your current Mac.

[mobilehaathi]

Not worth it IMO, particularly if you're doing it yourself.

[jezzy]

Originally Posted by chevalier433

Games dont benefit of i7 Hyperthreading.For light encoding,photoshop don't bother either change to i7.The graphic card upgrade worth you will see a lot of improvement in gaming but is a very expensive upgrade 1/3 the cost of your current Mac.

Thanks, guess as of now the i7 swap isnt worth it. Its just odd that skyrim for example ran much better on my i7 quad mbp 2011" with a 6750 1gb videocard than on this imac i5 5750 1gb video.. Assume if i upgrade just the video card ill be happy! But agreed 600! Is just nuts..!

[chevalier433]

Originally Posted by jezzy

Thanks, guess as of now the i7 swap isnt worth it. Its just odd that skyrim for example ran much better on my i7 quad mbp 2011" with a 6750 1gb videocard than on this imac i5 5750 1gb video.. Assume if i upgrade just the video card ill be happy! But agreed 600! Is just nuts..!

Runs better because of the lower resolution.Look for the 1gb 6970m is still a great card and more affordable.

[jezzy]

Originally Posted by chevalier433

Runs better because of the lower resolution.Look for the 1gb 6970m is still a great card and more affordable.

tnx didn't know there was a 1b model!

[Bear]

Originally Posted by jezzy

...
I'm seeing i7 860 or i7 870 cpu's on eBay, saw the how to guide and feel comfortable tht I can do this. just wondering, in the end.. will I see an improvement on my gaming front? basically going from an i5 2.8 to an i7 2.8?
...

The difference between the 2 may not just be hyper threading. The on-board cache may be larger on the i7. This could help with performance.

However, have you considered the fact that your 2011 MBP has a better video gpu in it? (This is based on what you said the 2 systems have.) And this is probably where the performance difference for the game is.

[jezzy]

Originally Posted by Bear

The difference between the 2 may not just be hyper threading. The on-board cache may be larger on the i7. This could help with performance.

However, have you considered the fact that your 2011 MBP has a better video gpu in it? (This is based on what you said the 2 systems have.) And this is probably where the performance difference for the game is.

I may opt for the 6970 1gb and an i7 870 CPU upgrade..I'm keeping my eyes open and will document the process once it happens!

[chevalier433]

Originally Posted by jezzy

I may opt for the 6970 1gb and an i7 870 CPU upgrade..I'm keeping my eyes open and will document the process once it happens!

Order a ESD protection wrist strap if you don't have one very important before you do the upgrade

[RayK]

I've been looking and upgrading the Video Card in my 2009 iMac. To find the video card your best bet is finding a Service provider that will just sell you the part. Its very hard to come by the high end video cards for the iMacs in my experience.