Buying a used iMac

[PaulCon]

Hi guys,

I've sold my C2D 1.83 (2.5gb RAM) Mac Mini as although it was ok for internet it struggled with Aperture, I'm looking to get an iMac off eBay for about £650 but I have a question, I am looking at either a 2009 21.5" or a 2008 24" (2.8 or 3.06 C2D)but wondered is their much different better the older NVIDIA GeForce GT 130 graphics processor with 512MB and the newer NVIDIA GeForce 9400M with 256MB?

I'm only going to be using it for Internet, iTunes, Aperture, Borderlands and Call of Duty 4 so need something to cope with that really

Thanks in advance

Paul

 

[Hellhammer]

The GT 130 is much faster since the 9400M is integrated.

 

[NutsNGum]

Yep, and the GT130 won't be chewing into your system RAM either.

 

[PaulCon]

So as a 256mb vs 256mb would the GT 120 be a better card than the 9400m if the 9400m is integrated?

 

[Hellhammer]

So as a 256mb vs 256mb would the GT 120 be a better card than the 9400m if the 9400m is integrated?

A lot better. The amount of VRAM is usually irrelevant, the amount of raw processing power matters and GT 120 has a lot more of that.

 

[PaulCon]

Great, thanks for the help guys, I'll try and get either a 2.8 or a 3.06 24" then with a GT 120 or 130.

 

[Poncho]

What about a late 2008 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with with NVIDIA Geforce 8800GS? Running one now with heaviest of apps and doesn't skip a beat. Will see me past the Thunderhole changes, the uprating of Macs to i7 as standard and on past the inevitable redesign of the Mac next year (sheet of paper-thin glass that disappears when you shut it off, or something like that). A real workhorse, and going on eBay UK for about £650.