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iMac "Penryn" 2.8GHz vs i7 iMac?

D

dalvin200

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Mar 24, 2006
3,473
69
Nottingham, UK
Hi all,

I currently have a 24" (Early 2008) 2.8GHz "Penryn" iMac with 4GB RAM and nVidia 8800GS.

Mainly use it for iLife apps / Photoshop and web development + general web usage of course incl watching HD video and editing HD video.

I haven't really kept up to date with speeds etc..

I am thinking of replacing my current machine with the 27" i7 2.93 and having 8GB RAM (to start with)..

What performance gains in reality will I see in iMovie HD video editing and general day to day use?
Is it going to be noticeable faster to export HD movies/import AVCHD into iMovie 09? (I'm hoping the new iLife will take advantage of multi cores etc.. to speed things up too)

I've been looking on other threads at speed test benchmarks and i believe my current iMac score about 4000 Geekbench points in 32bit mode compared to around 9000-10000 Geekbench points on the i7.

While that sounds impressive, it doesn't mean much to me in terms of what it actually offers in real life.

I've been contemplating upgrading my dad's very old windows pc to a mac, so was thinking of giving him the 24" anyway... but only if it is a worthy upgrade for me.


I would like your opinions and advice on this matter please.

Thanks
 
I would go as far as to say that the processor is at least twice as fast in multi-threaded operations.

Turbo Boost should provide nearly the same in single threaded.
 
Eidorian said:
I would go as far as to say that the processor is at least twice as fast in multi-threaded operations.

Turbo Boost should provide nearly the same in single threaded.
Click to expand...

what do you mean by "turbo boost"?
my only knowledge of this is from Knight Rider!! lol..

does the imac automatically turbo boost when it needs to?

by single/double threaded is that the same as 32bit/64bit?
 
dalvin200 said:
what do you mean by "turbo boost"?
my only knowledge of this is from Knight Rider!! lol..

does the imac automatically turbo boost when it needs to?

by single/double threaded is that the same as 32bit/64bit?
Click to expand...

The processor closes down the redundant cores allowing it thermally to take a single core up to the region of 3.3 (or is it 3.6?)
 
PeckhamBog said:
The processor closes down the redundant cores allowing it thermally to take a single core up to the region of 3.3 (or is it 3.6?)
Click to expand...

i assume that's a good thing right?

so if the i7 is double the speed, then i should see a double speed boost in importing hd movies from my camera and also exporting etc.. ?
 
dalvin200 said:
i assume that's a good thing right?

so if the i7 is double the speed, then i should see a double speed boost in importing hd movies from my camera and also exporting etc.. ?
Click to expand...

Sorry, I don't know the answer to that. Have you tried posting in the photography / digital video forums for a reply from someone with 'real time' experience?
 
If you buy a new iMac now you'll only kick yourself when (probably) next year they come out with machines equipped with USB 3 and Lightpeak etc.

Unless you need a new Mac, hang on to the one you have. I am, and my machine is the same as yours.

If you want to spend money, buy a Mac mini and use it for encoding vids while you use your machine proper.
 
Yes, the new i7s will kick your C2D's ass

Barefeats benchmarks

Macworld i5 benchmarks

But that doesn't mean your iMac is a pokey puppy. You've already taken your biggest depreciation hit. I would wait it out until Jan. to see if the next revision brings Lightpeak and USB3. That will be a dream for transferring big video files and RAW photos. Intel is looking to launch lightpeak in Q1 '11 so I have to think it's good chance we'll see it in a iMac revision before the end of the first half.
 
J&JPolangin said:
...well this is the second gen of the new iMac's so giving your dad the 24" would be a good "gift" if it still works well (and a nice upgrade for you)...
Click to expand...

it'll work plenty well for my dad... all he would want to do is use iTunes, iPhoto, and surf web/email...

it's tempting, but also tempting to wait a few months to see what 2011 brings, if what the guys above is to go by :)
 
PeckhamBog said:
You didn't hang on very long for USB3 etc!!!

At least your dad's getting a very nice.
:p
Click to expand...

well.. u know... :) usb3 and lightpeak will come but may come with their own set of problems to begin with (rev a machines).... so will let the dust settle before upgrading and usb 3 peripherals are a lot more common.
 
dalvin200 said:
well.. u know... :) usb3 and lightpeak will come but may come with their own set of problems to begin with (rev a machines).... so will let the dust settle before upgrading and usb 3 peripherals are a lot more common.
Click to expand...

Your reasoning about being wary of Version A technology [early adoption] is spot on.

Also, I thought the idea of waiting for better specs on the next iMac revision [when ever that would be] was not personally my first choice.

So well done you!
 
PeckhamBog said:
Your reasoning about being wary of Version A technology [early adoption] is spot on.

Also, I thought the idea of waiting for better specs on the next iMac revision [when ever that would be] was not personally my first choice.

So well done you!
Click to expand...

there's always something better around the corner... so what can u do?
 
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