My Current Graphics vs New iMac's

[ryanflucas]

I'm curious about the difference in performance between:

My current iMac (Mid 2011 21" with AMD Radeon HD 6770M 512MB)

vs

Current iMac 21" units that have Intel Iris Pro Graphics.

I know Intel graphics have gotten better over time, but I'm still not sure if I want to go that route. I don't really game on my Mac, besides some oldies on gog.com. I do edit photos, run Windows 7 via Parallels, and do some light video editing.

I don't like that iMac's are shipping with 5400rpm drives, and that ram is not user replaceable unless I go to higher tier models. I guess I could go with the $1500 model that has dedicated graphics. I kind of feel that if I decide to go with something with Intel Iris Pro graphics, I might as well get a Mac Mini and go the user serviceable route (swap in a Samsung 500GB\1TB SSD, 16GB ram) provided the next Mac Mini ships with Iris graphics.

Are there any known benchmark sites comparing these?

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I do like the idea of the Mac Mini, provided the next model is still user serviceable. I'd install a SSD and 16GB ram right away. The add a 24" Dell IPS LED Display. I already have a external LG Blu-ray Burner I use instead of my current iMac's internal superdrive.

 

[keigo]

The current Mac Mini is way way over due for refresh. It may seem like it is going down the same road as the non-retina MBP.

So either you wait out Mac Mini update before making a decision.

Or go for BTO iMac 21" or look at iMac 27"

 

[ryanflucas]

I'll be waiting for sure. I'm fine with what I have, but when my Apple Care runs out, I tend to sell what I have and replace it. That's going to happen this May. I just want to make sure what I get is the same or better then what I have.

The system before my current was a 24" iMac, which I loved. The 27" still feels too big to me. With a Mac Mini, I figure I can buy any size IPS display I want.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Why are you talking graphics? Based on what you say you use it for, even an older Macbook Air would do fine.

 

[ryanflucas]

I'm a self employed IT consultant. While I don't do much with my system, I want it to have what it needs when random projects come up. If I'm going to spend the money, I want it to cover me when I need it. I don't know if Intel graphics are going to cut it when I'm coming from Radeon. Still looking for a decent benchmark to determine if Iris whips my current setup, is just adequate, or lags in comparison.

 

[keigo]

I don't really game on my Mac, besides some oldies on gog.com. I do edit photos, run Windows 7 via Parallels, and do some light video editing.

.

These are CPU intensive rather then gpu.

i7 haswelll and lot of ram and fast SSD will be what you looking for.

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well if you so concern about the gpu...

just google http://arstechnica.com/apple/2013/09/new-cpus-faster-wi-fi-same-flaws-apples-2013-imac-reviewed/2/

Already telling you the Intel Iris Pro Graphics is faster then all the past year iMac

 

[ryanflucas]

Thanks for the link, exactly what I was looking for.

 

[MartinAppleGuy]

I'm curious about the difference in performance between:

My current iMac (Mid 2011 21" with AMD Radeon HD 6770M 512MB)

vs

Current iMac 21" units that have Intel Iris Pro Graphics.

I know Intel graphics have gotten better over time, but I'm still not sure if I want to go that route. I don't really game on my Mac, besides some oldies on gog.com. I do edit photos, run Windows 7 via Parallels, and do some light video editing.

I don't like that iMac's are shipping with 5400rpm drives, and that ram is not user replaceable unless I go to higher tier models. I guess I could go with the $1500 model that has dedicated graphics. I kind of feel that if I decide to go with something with Intel Iris Pro graphics, I might as well get a Mac Mini and go the user serviceable route (swap in a Samsung 500GB\1TB SSD, 16GB ram) provided the next Mac Mini ships with Iris graphics.

Are there any known benchmark sites comparing these?

----------

I do like the idea of the Mac Mini, provided the next model is still user serviceable. I'd install a SSD and 16GB ram right away. The add a 24" Dell IPS LED Display. I already have a external LG Blu-ray Burner I use instead of my current iMac's internal superdrive.

A family member owns the Mid 2011 High End 21.5'' (2.7Ghz) that you mentioned. I have the Late 2013 21.5'' High End iMac (2.9Ghz, with NVidia GeForce GT 750m 1Gb GDDR5 VRAM). For Dirt 2, the 2011 iMac gets 30-35fps maxed out, my iMac (2013, 750m) gets around 70fps.