2011 Mini benchmarks

[philipma1957]

Some surprises there! The 2010 mini beating the low end 2011 mini on graphix performance is kind of discouraging.

The comparison I'd be interested to see is the $999 mini vs. $799 mini vs. $1199 iMac.

the low end mini is not for gaming buy the 799 model add ram. Sucks but true.

 

[Mr.C]

Some surprises there! The 2010 mini beating the low end 2011 mini on graphix performance is kind of discouraging.

Apparently that's because last years Mini's Nvidia 320M GPU performs better then the integrated Intel GPU in the 2011 base model. Personally I don't think the 2011 base model is not worth getting even for the most basic use. The inferior GPU and especially only having 2GB of RAM. The lack of at least 4GB of RAM is going to slow the computer down with Lion as the OS. Whilst it doesn't bother me skimping on the DVD drive also seems strange. Maybe they were trying to offer this years models at a lower more affordable cost. 4 GB of RAM should be standard at least.

 

[lcrooks]

Best config for HTPC?

I wanted to use the mac mini as an HTPC to play 1080p and blu ray MKV rips on a large TV, based on this which mini config would be better?

Mac Mini
2.7GHz dual-Core
Intel Core i7
750GB (7200 rpm)
AMD Radeon HD 6630M with 256MB GDDR5

Mac Mini Server
2.0GHz quad-core
Intel Core i7
2X500GB (7200 rpm)
Intel HD Graphics 3000

It seems this is a GPU vs. CPU situation. Isn't it important to have a dedicated GPU to unload the process during movie playback (especially with MKV blu ray rips)?

I will be doing no gaming.

Thanks

 

[walterp]

I wanted to use the mac mini as an HTPC to play 1080p and blu ray MKV rips on a large TV, based on this which mini config would be better?

Mac Mini
2.7GHz dual-Core
Intel Core i7
750GB (7200 rpm)
AMD Radeon HD 6630M with 256MB GDDR5

Mac Mini Server
2.0GHz quad-core
Intel Core i7
2X500GB (7200 rpm)
Intel HD Graphics 3000

It seems this is a GPU vs. CPU situation. Isn't it important to have a dedicated GPU to unload the process during movie playback (especially with MKV blu ray rips)?

Either one will be fine. You don't need the graphics card or the 2.7 GHz i7 for processing HD. Playing back 1080p HD won't cause the 2.0 GHz CPU and integrated graphics to even break a sweat. In fact, the base Mini with the 2.3 i5 and HD3000 graphics can play 1080p HD without breaking a sweat. If that's all you're going to use this Mini for, I'd get the cheapest one you can get -- it will be plenty powerful enough.

 

[philipma1957]

I wanted to use the mac mini as an HTPC to play 1080p and blu ray MKV rips on a large TV, based on this which mini config would be better?

Mac Mini
2.7GHz dual-Core
Intel Core i7
750GB (7200 rpm)
AMD Radeon HD 6630M with 256MB GDDR5

Mac Mini Server
2.0GHz quad-core
Intel Core i7
2X500GB (7200 rpm)
Intel HD Graphics 3000

It seems this is a GPU vs. CPU situation. Isn't it important to have a dedicated GPU to unload the process during movie playback (especially with MKV blu ray rips)?

I will be doing no gaming.

Thanks

Either one will be fine. You don't need the graphics card or the 2.7 GHz i7 for processing HD. Playing back 1080p HD won't cause the 2.0 GHz CPU and integrated graphics to even break a sweat. In fact, the base Mini with the 2.3 i5 and HD3000 graphics can play 1080p HD without breaking a sweat. If that's all you're going to use this Mini for, I'd get the cheapest one you can get -- it will be plenty powerful enough.

To lcrooks the base 2.3 mini is 599 add 8gb ram it is about 660 it will do a 10 min 1080p encode with handbrake in 14 minutes the older 2.66 mini from 2009 and 2010 would do the same job in 22 minutes. it will play the 1080 encode just fine

so 660 cash will do what you want in 14 minutes

the 2011 server does the encode in 7 minutes cost is 999 with 4gb ram 1060 with 8gb ram


the middle model does this in 11 minutes cost 799 with 4gb ram 860 with 8gb ram.

I would be inclined to get the low cost model and add ram for your uses.

 

[walterp]

I would be inclined to get the low cost model and add ram for your uses.

Yes, agreed -- I forgot to mention that you should upgrade the RAM to 8 GB no matter what model you get. Probably because I consider it a given that everyone is going to upgrade their RAM to 8 GB (I mean, it's <$60). The base's stock 2 GB is ridiculous, don't even consider trying to get by using Lion with 2 GB, and even 4 GB is just barely enough.

(Although...if all you're going to do with your Mini is play back video, i.e., only decoding, no encoding/converting, then the standard 2 GB might actually be okay and the 4 GB would certainly do.)

 

[philipma1957]

Yes, agreed -- I forgot to mention that you should upgrade the RAM to 8 GB no matter what model you get. Probably because I consider it a given that everyone is going to upgrade their RAM to 8 GB (I mean, it's <$60). The base's stock 2 GB is ridiculous, don't even consider trying to get by using Lion with 2 GB, and even 4 GB is just barely enough.

(Although...if all you're going to do with your Mini is play back video, i.e., only decoding, no encoding/converting, then the standard 2 GB might actually be okay and the 4 GB would certainly do.)

no i did handbrake encode of 1080p with 1.99 ram out of 2.0 ram.

page ins page outs were almost 90 percent.

Once I dropped in 8gb ram the mini used 3.58gb out of 8gb

handbrake

safari 1 window

utility monitor were the only programs run.

2gb is a no go.

4gb is eh

8gb looks like what you need

 

[walterp]

no i did handbrake encode of 1080p with 1.99 ram out of 2.0 ram.

page ins page outs were almost 90 percent.

Once I dropped in 8gb ram the mini used 3.58gb out of 8gb

2gb is a no go.

4gb is eh

8gb looks like what you need

Right... that's why I specified that I was talking about only doing playback/decoding, not encoding.

The base's stock 2 GB is ridiculous, don't even consider trying to get by using Lion with 2 GB, and even 4 GB is just barely enough.

(Although...if all you're going to do with your Mini is play back video, i.e., only decoding, no encoding/converting, then the standard 2 GB might actually be okay and the 4 GB would certainly do.)

 

[lcrooks]

Thank you guys for the responses - really appreciate it.

The thing is - I have some blu-ray mkv rips (12-16 gb) and even playback on my macbook pro stutters. Someone told me if I use PLEX the playback would be smooth, but the fact that my macbook pro has trouble worried me about the mini's performance.

Also - is there any significant advantage to having dedicated graphics card on the mini?

Thanks again

 

[Vermifuge]

Thank you guys for the responses - really appreciate it.

The thing is - I have some blu-ray mkv rips (12-16 gb) and even playback on my macbook pro stutters. Someone told me if I use PLEX the playback would be smooth, but the fact that my macbook pro has trouble worried me about the mini's performance.

Also - is there any significant advantage to having dedicated graphics card on the mini?

Thanks again

I have a number of MKV files that I play on my G1 MacBook Air. 1.83 Ghz Core 2 Duo with 2 GB ram. They play fine. I don't see why people think the new mini would even have a problem with these files.

 

[lcrooks]

I have a number of MKV files that I play on my G1 MacBook Air. 1.83 Ghz Core 2 Duo with 2 GB ram. They play fine. I don't see why people think the new mini would even have a problem with these files.

do you think i am imagining it when the mkv files stutter on my macbook pro?

 

[NayPaps]

Anyone who buys a 2011 mini, please post your experience, ripping tests, or anything to compare to previous models. Looks to be a fast machine but until folks actually get them to use, we will have to rely on apples marketing. I'll later post a rip to start this off to compare.

Just looked at my past logs for handbrake. Ripping with 8GB ram:
War Games: The Dead Code
1H 26 m Avg 27 FPS

If you can, post rips from previous models so we can compare when someone gets a 2011 mini, please do.

I have the baseline i5, 2GB of RAM and I scored around 5980 in the 32-bit test

 

[hexonxonx]

do you think i am imagining it when the mkv files stutter on my macbook pro?

I don't doubt that for a second. I owned a 2008 Mac Pro 8 core that stuttered when running 1080p MKV movies. I would have to use Plex to view them. Same thing happens on my MBP and MB.

 

[lcrooks]

I don't doubt that for a second. I owned a 2008 Mac Pro 8 core that stuttered when running 1080p MKV movies. I would have to use Plex to view them. Same thing happens on my MBP and MB.

thank you! that is my concern regarding the mini handling mkv files.

Which mini would you suggest to maximize performance?

BTW - would the dedicated graphics card provide better picture quality on my HD TV?

Thanks

 

[Vermifuge]

do you think i am imagining it when the mkv files stutter on my macbook pro?

Nope. I have seen all kinds of videos stutter. normally its a software problem, doing a clean install has fixed the problem

 

[chedda]

cinebench score for server ?

I'm interested in a mini server as a render node for my mac pro 12 core. I use maxwell render and any extra power is welcome. Can someone run cinebench ?

G5 2x2.0 gets .72

MP 12x2.93 gets 15.5

mac mini 4x2.0 ?

i'm interested in the maths and value.

Because it's a server version it is designed for 24hr thrashing right ?

 

[lcrooks]

Nope. I have seen all kinds of videos stutter. normally its a software problem, doing a clean install has fixed the problem

i'm going to take an mkv on a usb and play it on the i5 graphics and i7 server minis in the store and see if there are any differences on the apple cinema display and what CPU usage is like - I'll let you guys know

 

[hexonxonx]

i'm going to take an mkv on a usb and play it on the i5 graphics and i7 server minis in the store and see if there are any differences on the apple cinema display and what CPU usage is like - I'll let you guys know

Rebooting the computer and making sure there is nothing else open, not even a browser will insure the videos play smoothly. There have been times I have done this and have been able to play a 1080 MKV video in VLC.

 

[manicwinter]

I wonder why the 2011 2.7 mini benchmarks tend to be higher than the 2011 2.7 macbook pro benchmarks? Is it possible not using the HD 3000 graphics on the CPU frees up some resources for the mini? Also does anyone know why Geekbench scores seem to vary so much with identical configurations?

 

[New2macmini]

I wonder why the 2011 2.7 mini benchmarks tend to be higher than the 2011 2.7 macbook pro benchmarks? Is it possible not using the HD 3000 graphics on the CPU frees up some resources for the mini? Also does anyone know why Geekbench scores seem to vary so much with identical configurations?

They are actually in the same ballpark, be careful that you are looking at the same version of Geekbench for comparisons.

 

[Vermifuge]

My i7 jut came today. I got the 7200 RPM and upgraded the ram to 8 GB.

Right off the bat with tweaks i got a score of 7500+ in geek bench 64 bit

I'm very happy with hit number

 

[srf4real]

2011 mini server 256GB ssd 8GB ram

I'm happy with mine. I have installed CS5.5 suite.. I'll be posting some observations about photoshop after the weekend in the photography section.🙂

 

[replac]

Ps Benchmarks

i am waiting for your photoshop benchs in server model. I will also use it for photoshop and thinking to buy the server model.

 

[phototext]

Photoshop

srf4real,

I'm interested in hearing how Photoshop goes too. Contemplating the server version as my first dip into a Mac.

Cheers.

 

[Vermifuge]

i'm going to take an mkv on a usb and play it on the i5 graphics and i7 server minis in the store and see if there are any differences on the apple cinema display and what CPU usage is like - I'll let you guys know

My new i7 dual core mini plays YouTube 1440p video just fine. These looked like a slide show on my 2010 mini server. Both with 8 GB