Mac mini 2018, any downsides to i7?

[Paco II]

I'm finally looking to replace my aging 2012 and want to buy something that will also last me quite a while. I'm leaning towards a 2018 i7, but want to confirm if there are any downsides to it? Heat? Noise? Any reason to go with an i5 instead? Money is not a factor in this. Thanks!

 

[archer75]

Nothing besides cost.

 

[Erehy Dobon]

.

 

[iAssimilated]

I have to agree with @archer75 and @Erehy Dobon. I have been extremely pleased with the i7 in my 8,1 Mac mini. The mini's case can run a bit hot when the CPU is taxed for long periods of time and the exhaust fan can be heard in these instances as well, but I don't notice it over my eGPU (the video card fans as well as the enclosure fans tend to be going full blast at the same time my CPU gets that hot). If you are worried about cooling, this thread has some wonderful ideas to keep the mini cool: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/cooling-solutions-for-the-mac-minis.2157182/

I went with the i7 for the same reason, I wanted my mini to be the most future proof it could be.

 

[stillcrazyman]

My 2018 mini i7/32GB runs quiet and not more than about 110 degrees under normal use.
The only time I hear the fans is when importing, sorting, editing and exporting photos. It's not overly loud, but they're running full on. Temps rise to 210 degrees. It cools down quickly.