Resolved First gen Core i5 vs First gen Core i7 question

[exploradorgt]

Hi everyone, I have a very naive question about very old iMacs

I currently have the 27" late 2009 iMac with the first gen Core i5 (750 @ 2.67GHZ), and it runs amazingly well for editorial work due to the screen size. The speed is still decent for my preference, and don't worry, I do have other computers, this is just my favorite for this kind of work (design, editing, etc.).

However, another old model appeared on my radar. It's the 27" mid 2011 iMac with the quad Core i7 (I7-2600 Sandy Bridge at 3.4 GHZ).

I'm happy with the one I have, works for me, but I'm tempted due to the price (around US$100 and it will go down because nobody wants to buy these anymore around here).

I wonder how faster this one is, and how much of a difference will this make 😁.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Bigwaff]

However, another old model appeared on my radar. It's the 27" mid 2011 iMac with the quad Core i7 (I7-2600 Sandy Bridge at 3.4 GHZ).

It will be noticeably faster. But what really slows these old iMacs down is internal HD. Upgrade the RAM and replace internal HD with SSD and these iMacs still rock. $100 a good deal but sadly the 2011 27” iMac known to have faulty GPU. If GPU original, it’s amazing it hasn’t failed yet.

 

[casperes1996]

It’s faster but both are very slow compared to modern machines.

Note that the 2011s burn out their graphics processors. Common predictable failures where if you use the gpu it will fail.

It’s cheap enough that you may still get worth out of it before it dies but you should know.

 

[exploradorgt]

Thank you both. Yes, mine runs on SSD, if I get the other it will have an SSD too.

but sadly the 2011 27” iMac known to have faulty GPU. If GPU original, it’s amazing it hasn’t failed yet.

Note that the 2011s burn out their graphics processors. Common predictable failures where if you use the gpu it will fail.

Yes, sadly this is an specific model problem.

Mine (2009) died (the GPU) as expected, and currently I have it with a GPU replacement based on instructions found on this forum, the GPU works better, doesn't heat up and has more video-RAM.

If I get the 2011 iMac I would probably put in there my current GPU, and definitely would try to enable the other one I have (form a PC) but I have been unable to find the right firmware for the chip (also, based on instructions posted here).

I watched a few online videos about that model, and it's said to produce a lot of heat (just like mine), that's a bummee. Mine heats up a lot less since the upgrades (replacing the SSD, removing the huge 3.5 HDD, removing the OD with an SSD, and upgrading the GPU), works absolutely nice.

Thanks for the info, I'll think about it. It's tempting.

 

[ToniCH]

I made the exact move you are considering. The 2011 is much faster than the 2009.

The GPU problem is very common to both years models. Luckily I've never experienced it myself during my 16 years with 27" iMacs (4 units).

 

[exploradorgt]

I made the exact move you are considering. The 2011 is much faster than the 2009.

The GPU problem is very common to both years models. Luckily I've never experienced it myself during my 16 years with 27" iMacs (4 units).

Thanks, that's quite encouraging!

 

[ToniCH]

In the screenshot below you can see my 2009 and 2011 iMac Geekbench 5 scores, ignore the MBP. Smaller number is single core score and bigger multicore performance. That is quite a difference, the 2011 i7 is close to 40% faster in single core performance. Multicore is even more due faster cores, bus and memory.

Also the video card and SATA buses are faster in 2011 models.

I used to use 2009 iMac 27" C2D and i5 machines at work and home daily since new until 2022. Then I replaced them with 2011 i5 and i7 machines 3 years ago. I maxed the RAM and installed SSD to both. I now use primarily the i7 3.4GHz.

IMHO, it is a good upgrade.

A good addition was a elgato Thunderbolt dock 2, which upgrades the USB 2 to almost USB 3 speeds.

 

[exploradorgt]

In the screenshot below you can see my 2009 and 2011 iMac Geekbench 5 scores, ignore the MBP. Smaller number is single core score and bigger multicore performance. That is quite a difference, the 2011 i7 is close to 40% faster in single core performance. Multicore is even more due faster cores, bus and memory.

Also the video card and SATA buses are faster in 2011 models.

I used to use 2009 iMac 27" C2D and i5 machines at work and home daily since new until 2022. Then I replaced them with 2011 i5 and i7 machines 3 years ago. I maxed the RAM and installed SSD to both. I now use primarily the i7 3.4GHz.

IMHO, it is a good upgrade.

A good addition was a elgato Thunderbolt dock 2, which upgrades the USB 2 to almost USB 3 speeds.

View attachment 2562972

That's really cool, I didn't know about --elgato Thunderbolt dock 2--, a couple of years ago I was searching ways to improve the USB speeds (or adding USB3), and the only option I came across, it's the PCi to USB, but it has a lot of issues.

Thanks for the info, unfortunately I was a bit busy during the recent days, and the machine is now gone, someone moved ahead and bought it. But now I will not hesitate on buying one if I happen to find a nice item on sale.

 

[exploradorgt]

Thanks everyone for the information, now I know 👌

Unfortunately, someone bought the Mac on saturday morning, I've been a bit busy, so... I lost the opportunity.

 

[ToniCH]

Unfortunately, someone bought the Mac on saturday morning, I've been a bit busy, so... I lost the opportunity.

They are not rare, keep your eyes open and one will pop up.