iMac (27", 2020) i5 Hyper-Threading?

[votsRumors]

Hello

According to the Apple.com website, when ordering a new 2020 iMac 27", it states that the 6-core i5 processor can hyper-thread. See the attached.

"And it takes advantage of Hyper-Threading, a technology that kicks in when the processor is handling several big jobs at the same time."

Is this a mistake or is this true?

Thank You

 

[costica1234]

That’s right. All new 27 inch iMacs support Hyper Threading (previously limited to the i9 configuration).

 

[velocityg4]

That's right. Intel had to stop intentionally gimping the processors because of AMD allowing hyperthreading (I don't no the AMD name for it) on all but their lowest SKU CPUs. I don't think there's even any difference between a hyperthreading and non-hyperthreading model besides it being turned on or off. At least no meaningful manufacturing differences.

 

[votsRumors]

actually; it previously was limited to the i7 and i9 configuration.

it is now an i5 attribute only because of it being the 10th gen Intel chip

even the 10th gen i3 H-T as well.

 

[Doc69]

This is great news! So, is there now any significant difference between the i5, i7 and i9 CPUs except the number of cores and the clock speed? I want hyper-threading for Logic Pro, and I'm looking at the 6-core, 3.3GHz model to save some cash, but I'm wondering if there's any good reason I should still choose the i7 or i9 over the i5 (and I don't need a better GPU)?

Also, the 6-core i5 is listed at 3.3GHz while the 8-core i7 is 3.8GHz. This is the opposite of how it usually works, where more cores leads to lower clock speed. Do you think Apple is limiting the 6-core here? AFAICT, Intel's specs says the 6-core i5 should do 4.1GHz and the 8-core i7 should do 3.8GHz.

https://www.intel.com/content/dam/www/public/us/en/documents/product-briefs/10th-gen-core-desktop-brief.pdf

 

[RAWvJPG]

You are confusing different Intel SKUs. Apple is using the i5 10600 and not the i5 10600K inside the iMac. And since TDP is directly linked to base frequency (according to Intel at least) by limiting the i5 to 65W you get 3.3Ghz all core. To make things more complicated Apple is not running these at 65W but at around 80W. So you should expect 4.3Ghz all core. Data sheets don't tell you this and for some reason, Apple doesn't neither.

So the i5 is actually quite powerful. One thing we've not talked about is heat output. And unfortunately the i5 10600 uses TIM instead of solder therefore resulting in much higher temperatures and noise. So if you plan to constantly use the iMac under full load I would advice you to get the i7 as it runs faster and cooler (which yes, I know, doesn't make much sense given its higher TDP but theses are Intel's realities unfortunately).

 

[Doc69]

So if you plan to constantly use the iMac under full load I would advice you to get the i7 as it runs faster and cooler.

Thanks for clearing everything up! Based on what you wrote, I think I’ll go with the i7 then. With an all-in-one computer, I certainly don’t want the fans to run a lot. That was one of the reasons I considered the i5! So thanks again for letting me know that the i7 will run cooler.

 

[RAWvJPG]

Might have to correct myself here:

Alarmingly High CPU Temperature on 2020 27" iMac

For comparison to my 2018 Mini i7… Cinebench running on a 2020 iMac, 3.8GHz 8 Core i7, Radeon Pro 5500 8GB, 8 GB RAM, 2TB SSD. iMacBench1 — Core temps a little over 40C with a fan at 1,200RPM under minimal load. iMacBench2 — Under full load All 8 cores increase quickly to turbo boost then...

forums.macrumors.com

According to his tests the i7 also runs at 100°C and blasts full speed 2700 rpm when under heavy load.

So in terms of noise and heat there is no difference between the i5 and the i7, but of course the i7 gives you two extra cores and a few MHz more.

I only do photo editing and I'm quite happy with the i5. In my use case the fan never ramps up because I only have burst loads and I don't need 8 cores.