iMac Processor Upgrade "worth it" ??

[vand0576]

I will be placing my order very soon for the all new 2-foot iMac (hehe, sounds way more intimidating than 24-inches) and I was hoping somebody knew something about processors. I get to use the edu discount, so that is a good thing, but to go from the 2.16 GHz to the 2.33 GHz Core 2 Duo would cost $225. Does anybody think this is a good thing to do? I consider myself a prosumer, not really having to do any actual "work" on it, but enjoy computing, and plan on ripping DVDs and music, playing games, writing papers, surfing the web, managing my digital media files, downloading torrents, etc.

I know nothing about processors and their clock speeds, and was hoping anybody out there could help me decide if the 2.33 GHz chip is the way to go, or the 2.16 GHz is more than satisfactory for the above tasks and more. I already plan to upgrade the RAM myself to at least 2GB.

Anybody with knowledge about processors please enlighten me.

 

[sigamy]

There have been a few threads about this already...the general consensus is that this upgrade is a bit overpriced. You are only getting ~170Mhz extra for that $250.

If you are the type of person who wants/needs to have the latest and greatest, then maybe get the upgrade.

You will be able to run everything that the 2.33 can run, you just may be a second or two behind.

Put that money toward the RAM or a new iPod!

 

[macintologist]

That money is better spent on RAM

 

[Spanky Deluxe]

You're getting a machine that's just under 8% faster for a 12.5% hike in price. That money would better got towards the upgraded graphics chip and more RAM... although personally I'd pony up and get the faster processor too.

 

[theBB]

You're getting a machine that's just under 8% faster for a 12.5% hike in price. That money would better got towards the upgraded graphics chip and more RAM... although personally I'd pony up and get the faster processor too.

I doubt if the machine itself is going to be 8% faster. Everything else being the same, 8% faster processor will probably make the machine barely any faster unless you have something that does not need much memory, but computing intensive. I don't think that is a likely combination. I would keep my $250.

 

[Dont Hurt Me]

That money is better spent on RAM

I would agree, its almost like Mini's 1.66 vs 1.83. You dont get much for that extra money. Ram is allways good🙂

 

[aquajet]

Perhaps if the cost to upgrade was $100 or less, I'd consider it. But over $200 for such a small gain is simply too much money. I would use the money for something else, such as a bigger hard drive or a new printer.

 

[orangezorki]

I've ordered the 2.33, even though I know it's not too good value. I decided to splurge because I'm probably never going to crack open the machine.

However, I must stress that it is only a decision I made after adding 2Gb, the 7600, and 500Gb HD.

David

 

[ipoddin]

I will be placing my order very soon for the all new 2-foot iMac (hehe, sounds way more intimidating than 24-inches) and I was hoping somebody knew something about processors. I get to use the edu discount, so that is a good thing, but to go from the 2.16 GHz to the 2.33 GHz Core 2 Duo would cost $225. Does anybody think this is a good thing to do? I consider myself a prosumer, not really having to do any actual "work" on it, but enjoy computing, and plan on ripping DVDs and music, playing games, writing papers, surfing the web, managing my digital media files, downloading torrents, etc.

I know nothing about processors and their clock speeds, and was hoping anybody out there could help me decide if the 2.33 GHz chip is the way to go, or the 2.16 GHz is more than satisfactory for the above tasks and more. I already plan to upgrade the RAM myself to at least 2GB.

Anybody with knowledge about processors please enlighten me.

Macworld just did a benchmark here. So you can see how both processors matchup. Not much of a difference. Go with the slower processor and more RAM.