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I think its a no brainer, If you are going to step up to the high end iMac then the 780m is the way to go, and in my opinion apple is giving you a good deal @ $150 for double the vram and the faster card. Even if it were the same card but double the vram it would still be a pretty good deal.

780m all the way. Better for the short term, long term and resale value.
 
What about photo applications? I use Aperture 3.5. I'll be buying a new 27" iMac in the next few months.

Should I get a 780m GPU, or is the 775m adequate?

For photos, a 775M is fine. Even pushing 36MP raws (i.e. a D800) won't stress it.

The 780M is a "no brainer" as soon as you step into regular gaming or 3D modelling, though. The extra performance is going to increase the longevity of the machine, since CPU is rarely ever the bottleneck these days. Pushing 1440p in modern games with > medium settings is hard work.
 
For photos, a 775M is fine. Even pushing 36MP raws (i.e. a D800) won't stress it.

The 780M is a "no brainer" as soon as you step into regular gaming or 3D modelling, though. The extra performance is going to increase the longevity of the machine, since CPU is rarely ever the bottleneck these days. Pushing 1440p in modern games with > medium settings is hard work.

What about casual gaming and spare-time music production (Logic Pro X with OpenCL)?

I was thinking of getting the GTX 780M but when I think about it, maybe I'm fine with just the 755M. If in (already) 2 years I feel that it doesn't have what it takes anymore to play the casual games I play at that time, replacing it for a new iMac and sell my old one will give me more of an increase in performance and I wouldn't lose that much money on it. Perhaps it'll even be cheaper than getting the specced out iMac now with 780M?
 
What about casual gaming and spare-time music production (Logic Pro X with OpenCL)?

I was thinking of getting the GTX 780M but when I think about it, maybe I'm fine with just the 755M. If in (already) 2 years I feel that it doesn't have what it takes anymore to play the casual games I play at that time, replacing it for a new iMac and sell my old one will give me more of an increase in performance and I wouldn't lose that much money on it. Perhaps it'll even be cheaper than getting the specced out iMac now with 780M?

What do you define as "casual" gaming? (many use casual to mean time-constrained, but they might still play the latest games)
 
Like Civ 5, Sim City, perhaps some Starcraft 2 and Diablo 3 but no heavy GPU FPS games like Crysis or immensely large RPGs like Skyrim.

775M would be fine for those games (the 780M is good value, though).
 
775M would be fine for those games (the 780M is good value, though).

775M would be good for those types of games for how long? Will I be able to play games like those but new games at that time, in 3 years?

Also, how much of a gain for OpenCL performance would I get with a 780M vs 775M?
 
775M would be good for those types of games for how long? Will I be able to play games like those but new games at that time, in 3 years?

Also, how much of a gain for OpenCL performance would I get with a 780M vs 775M?

You'd be able to play them, sure, but the 780M is an appreciable jump and might give you a better quality-vs-frame-rate trade-off. Despite the names, the 780M is much more than 005M better than the 775M in terms of performance :)

OpenCL I can't say for certain, but I'd expect similar gains—so +20%.
 
Which thread? I'm curious to see the actual scores in 3D Mark 11/3D Mark (2013) vs. the 780M. The 780M scores (and overclocked scores) can be found here: https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/18183445/

The thread I'm referring to is https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1651709/ and includes various benchmarks from a number of users (Geek Bench, Boot Time, Cinebench, etc.)

Here are graphics results I ran for the GTX 775M:

CineBench R15
OpenGL: 82.55
CPU: 530cb

3D Mark 11:

3D Mark Score - P6101
Graphics Score - 6071
Physics Score - 7436
Combined Score - 4957

By the way 3D Mark 11 did not recognize the graphic card, so I'm guessing the drivers are out of date under Windows or something. Anyway, these are the results.
 
Here are graphics results I ran for the GTX 775M:

3D Mark 11:

3D Mark Score - P6101

That's a substantial difference: the 775M is roughly on par with the 680M (not the *MX* in last year's iMac). A 780M hits > 8000 (8500 for my o/c card).

This isn't to say that the 775M is bad—it's not and it's more than capable card for most users—but there's an underlying tone in this thread that the 780M isn't as substantial an upgrade as it is.
 
You'd be able to play them, sure, but the 780M is an appreciable jump and might give you a better quality-vs-frame-rate trade-off. Despite the names, the 780M is much more than 005M better than the 775M in terms of performance :)

Wasn't 780M only about 26% better? Perhaps I'm missing something but is that really so much? :O
 
I am merely expressing an opinion on why, in terms of performance to cost analysis, the GTX 775M is the right choice.
"Verbiage" isn't synonymous with the "analysis", did you know that?
I'm happy to report that... Metro: Last Light... ran very smoothly with highest settings selected.
Afaik, Metro LL shows around 20 fps with 680m/775m at 1440p and highest settings. Looks like you have your own implementation of what's "very smootly" is, similar to "analysis" in some way.
 
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From every past experience with my former Macs I noticed the GPU was the first thing to show its age. So when ordering my new 2013 iMac I didn't get the GeForce GTX 780M for today, but for the years to come. On top of that I got the option for €99, so why not. ;)
 
"Verbiage" isn't synonymous with the "analysis", did you know that?

Afaik, Metro LL shows around 20 fps with 680m/775m at 1440p and highest settings. Looks like you have your own implementation of what's "very smootly" is, similar to "analysis" in some way.

I don't recall insulting you, so I don't understand why you feel the need to insult me. I'm sorry you had trouble reading my post. When you add a comment that brings something new to the discussion, I'll happily consider your point of view. Until then, take you d**** measuring contest somewhere else.
 
From every past experience with my former Macs I noticed the GPU was the first thing to show its age. So when ordering my new 2013 iMac I didn't get the GeForce GTX 780M for today, but for the years to come. On top of that I got the option for €99, so why not. ;)
The main issue I'm having with my 4 year old iMac is the GPU. I figure the difference between the 775M and 780M will be at least at least a years worth of usefulness for me.
 
I don't recall insulting you, so I don't understand why you feel the need to insult me. I'm sorry you had trouble reading my post. When you add a comment that brings something new to the discussion, I'll happily consider your point of view. Until then, take you d**** measuring contest somewhere else.

Sorry for being rude a bit, but there's actually nothing to discuss here. Your entire POV is ridiculous. You're forgetting one simple thing: Apple offers a GPU BTO for those who NEED it! Why on Earth have you even got the idea that your opinion could be true and objective since you're not even the target audience of that BTO option??

775m works fine for you since you're not-that-hardcore gamer? I'm really glad for ya, but some people won't even look at an iMac config without the 4gb 780m. It's just 150$ extra, and it's less than 10% off the iMac's price, while its graphics performance will grow more than 10%! As simple as that!

p.s. I really found no "analysis" from you, though I've read the discussion carefully. Re-read Bear's first post once again, to have an idea of what "analysis" may actually look like.
 
dude... chill.

I don't even know Mike and I hope he does not respond to this troll bait. It is my opinion that you are an idiot. Unfortunately, that does not mean that it is true. If Mike offers a reasoned opinion with links to support how he reached that opinion, then you can only accept it as reasoned opinion. Sure, the title of the thread could have the words, "for me" at the end, but after reading his post, it's clear that he's not brow-beating anyone into avoiding the 780 upgrade. So calm down or crawl back to some other wicked hole on the internet.


Sorry for being rude a bit, but there's actually nothing to discuss here. Your entire POV is ridiculous. You're forgetting one simple thing: Apple offers a GPU BTO for those who NEED it! Why on Earth have you even got the idea that your opinion could be true and objective since you're not even the target audience of that BTO option??

775m works fine for you since you're not-that-hardcore gamer? I'm really glad for ya, but some people won't even look at an iMac config without the 4gb 780m. It's just 150$ extra, and it's less than 10% off the iMac's price, while its graphics performance will grow more than 10%! As simple as that!

p.s. I really found no "analysis" from you, though I've read the discussion carefully. Re-read Bear's first post once again, to have an idea of what "analysis" may actually look like.
 
I don't even know Mike and I hope he does not respond to this troll bait. It is my opinion that you are an idiot. Unfortunately, that does not mean that it is true. If Mike offers a reasoned opinion with links to support how he reached that opinion, then you can only accept it as reasoned opinion. Sure, the title of the thread could have the words, "for me" at the end, but after reading his post, it's clear that he's not brow-beating anyone into avoiding the 780 upgrade. So calm down or crawl back to some other wicked hole on the internet.

Yup, that was pretty much the point. When one reads the argument I've made it becomes clear that it's the right choice for me (or someone in the same position - finding the right mix of performance and value). It's an opinion, so that is sort of implied. At least I thought that it was... I was never trying to convince someone one way or the other or condemned someone else's decision to go with a different configuration.

Anyway, the point was not specific to anyone's particular needs but rather to establish which configuration offers the best bang for the buck (in my opinion, again). It's a value analysis based on what an average person may consider when making a choice. I thought it would be helpful to share with others how I arrived at the decision I made.
 
I don't even know Mike and I hope he does not respond to this troll bait. It is my opinion that you are an idiot. Unfortunately, that does not mean that it is true. If Mike offers a reasoned opinion with links to support how he reached that opinion, then you can only accept it as reasoned opinion. Sure, the title of the thread could have the words, "for me" at the end, but after reading his post, it's clear that he's not brow-beating anyone into avoiding the 780 upgrade. So calm down or crawl back to some other wicked hole on the internet.

Unfortunately Malvicus, kaellar is correct, all be it a little rude. The name of the thread should not be "GTX 775M... and why it's the right choice" if you don't expect a back lash. like many people have already stated myself included the better choice is the 780M for many reasons. And Mikes reasons and analysis didn't change my mind or others as you can see.

kaellars post isn't troll bait your response may be construed more as troll bait then his. What kaellar said makes sense, it may have been a little harsh but most of it I agree with.

No ones debating that for the iMac the 775m is a solid GPU but for someone to step up to the high end iMac then it just makes sense to get the 780m. And as a Mac Pro user I'm a little jealous and impressed with the 780m upgrade option.

All in all I hope Mike enjoys his new iMac and has learned to make better choices when it comes to thread names:)
 
Unfortunately Malvicus, kaellar is correct, all be it a little rude. The name of the thread should not be "GTX 775M... and why it's the right choice" if you don't expect a back lash. like many people have already stated myself included the better choice is the 780M for many reasons. And Mikes reasons and analysis didn't change my mind or others as you can see.

kaellars post isn't troll bait your response may be construed more as troll bait then his. What kaellar said makes sense, it may have been a little harsh but most of it I agree with.

No ones debating that for the iMac the 775m is a solid GPU but for someone to step up to the high end iMac then it just makes sense to get the 780m. And as a Mac Pro user I'm a little jealous and impressed with the 780m upgrade option.

All in all I hope Mike enjoys his new iMac and has learned to make better choices when it comes to thread names:)

Wow... these are some of the most condescending remarks I've seen here. I don't need to learn to make better choices when it comes to thread names. It's people like you who need to learn to be more tolerant and to actually consider that there are people with different viewpoints. And to actually read. It's clear you haven't even read the original post or couldn't comprehend it's premise. I never suggested that the 775M is superior, I stated quite the opposite as a matter of fact. It wasn't even the point. And please tell me again why should I expect a backlash for sharing my thoughts on how I reached the choice I've made and why I think it would work for most people?

You follow in the same dump thoughtless way of reasoning that bigger is just better without regard for any other variables or constraints, like say a budget or actual needs or which combination of both will offer the best value. What makes a choice "better" is highly subjective, which is why people discuss it. This was one opinion and probably very helpful to those who are trying to balance performance and price and think of which option box to click.

So, you know what. You go learn something. I don't know, maybe try starting with basic courtesy and maybe tolerance. That might be a good place to start.

Ok, I'm done here.
 
Wow... these are some of the most condescending remarks I've seen here.

Your little temper tantrum is not warranted, and I wasn't trying to be condescending.

I did read your thread and the fact is you are wrong, misinformed and can't handle the critisim that comes with it. The trouble with your post is that you could have potentionaly misguided someone into not making the correct choice when it comes to a very good upgrade deal of $150 to the 780M

You talk about the 755m as the base GPU for the 27" but that only comes with the i5 3.2 with no upgrade path to either the 775m or the 780m. The 27" i5 3.4 starts with the 775m and you have a cpu option of the 3.5 i7 and the gpu option of the 780m. So you are already confused about the base options and upgrade options.

And it wasn't your opinion it was your suggestion and not a very good one at that.

I guess everyone has to answer that question based on their own needs/wants, but I would suggest that GTX 775M strikes the perfect balance between power and value.

I'm sorry you are feeling how you are feeling but those are the breaks when you publicly suggest something that others disagree with

If you want to play demanding games in the native resolution, the 780M is a very reasonable choice.

Perhaps you should have added "for me" to the thread title, then. Otherwise it makes it seem like you think the 775 is the right card for everyone. Unless you know everyone and their needs, that's not a realistic assumption to make.

You'd be able to play them, sure, but the 780M is an appreciable jump and might give you a better quality-vs-frame-rate trade-off. Despite the names, the 780M is much more than 005M better than the 775M in terms of performance

Apple offers a GPU BTO for those who NEED it! Why on Earth have you even got the idea that your opinion could be true and objective since you're not even the target audience of that BTO option??.

this whole thread all you have done was try and backpedal and defend your logic, but never taking the time to realize you may be wrong and learn something from other peoples insights.

And on that note I am also done here.
 
Why am I getting the feeling that you bought an IMac with a 775, and now that you are second guessing yourself about your purchase, you're seeking external validation from people here to reassure you that you made the right choice?

There is no right or wrong answer to this mate. Based on income, needs, availability, price of upgrades for different stores, amount of work you would need the extra horsepower.. Grass is always greener! :)

You probably are just bad at math and don't understand ratios.
 
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