Retina iMac (4k/5k) owners can greatly improve the graphics performance

[sakabaro]

Retina iMac (4k/5k) owners can greatly improve the graphics performance of many applications (including REAPER) by setting the color profile (in System Preferences, Displays, Color tab) to "Generic RGB" or "Adobe RGB."

Ref: http://1014.org/?article=697

 

[flightdog]

The settings makes no difference at my iMac Late 201 5k.

 

[sakabaro]

Apparently, you have to restart the iMac to see a difference. Didn't see a big diff. as well.

 

[xgman]

Does this change the graphics "quality" at all? I mean aside from any performance gains. I'd rather have the best quality over performance.

 

[sakabaro]

Yeah, you are back to 8 bit from 10 bit. According to the author, ir'a reducing a lot UI lag but I don't see it.

 

[1050792]

No difference here aswell.

Edit: After trying for longer, it does work and makes a small difference using the Generic RGB profile.

 

[chrfr]

Does this change the graphics "quality" at all? I mean aside from any performance gains. I'd rather have the best quality over performance.

It will certainly lead to inaccurate color if you're using graphics applications like Photoshop.

 

[larzy]

Just a follow up - just received my new 27 iMac, and noticed when the machine first booted into Mac OS Sierra, that the colors were really strong and powerful, and then immediately it got a bit more muted. I tried going through the different color profiles under settings, and noticed that instead of the default "iMac" profile, the generic RGB was really more powerful, had deeper blacks and stronger colors.

Reminds me a little of Samsungs AMOLED tech.

Any notes on using this profile instead of the iMac one? I assume the iMac is more accurate? And I guess I would quickly adjust to it - just asking because I noticed some automatic change when starting the machine and when it went into the operation system. Coming from a late 2015, just never changed the setting.