5k iMac - dust has settled, how is the GPU, really (non-gaming)?

[cmm]

So, when the 5k iMac came out, everybody hated the underpowered GPU. Now that people have used it, how is it? I'd love a 5k iMac, but I'm afraid that with the number of windows I keep open at once (20+, ~30% of which are PDFs), the 5k iMac will lag. I've heard people complain about windowing issues. How is it really? Do you see lag/jittery behavior? I really want to get rid of my Mac Pro and just use a 5k iMac, but I can't deal with lag.

Also, anybody run another 4k/5k monitor or a thunderbolt ACD with it? How is it?

Thanks!

 

[aevan]

So, when the 5k iMac came out, everybody hated the underpowered GPU. Now that people have used it, how is it? I'd love a 5k iMac, but I'm afraid that with the number of windows I keep open at once (20+, ~30% of which are PDFs), the 5k iMac will lag. I've heard people complain about windowing issues. How is it really? Do you see lag/jittery behavior? I really want to get rid of my Mac Pro and just use a 5k iMac, but I can't deal with lag.

Also, anybody run another 4k/5k monitor or a thunderbolt ACD with it? How is it?

Thanks!

The GPU is, actually, great. In fact, the only time an app lags is when it's NOT using the GPU but relying on the CPU instead.

The only place where there is lag is in Mission Control with lots of windows open which just doesn't look nice but is totally usable.

 

[Steveatesh]

Mine is fine. Only time I experience lag is using Lightroom 5 and that is down to Adobe I understand (latest LR6 uses the GPU and the lag has gone away in develop mode I believe)

 

[tillsbury]

Not everybody hated it. I run all sorts of apps, including some games under Windows 10 in Parallels, and others at 5k in OSX. No lag here. Some of us have been completely happy with the machine since the day it came out.

 

[cmm]

The GPU is, actually, great. In fact, the only time an app lags is when it's NOT using the GPU but relying on the CPU instead.

The only place where there is lag is in Mission Control with lots of windows open which just doesn't look nice but is totally usable.

Do you mind taking a video and posting it on youtube when you use Mission Control so I can see the lag, exactly? I'd REALLY appreciate it! Thanks

Do you use another monitor?

 

[xmichaelp]

Any lag is software. Let's wait to see what 10.11 brings.

 

[talmy]

Mine has been just fine in the six months I've had it. I did opt for the 295 because I heard at the time that the 290 wasn't sufficient. But I suspect the 290 would have been fine as well. I don't game.