Should I (re)order iMac 2020 27" with 5700XT?

[choreo]

Brand new setup.
The 1st kernel panic happened right after I completed the initial setup (with OEM RAM).
After I installed 128GB OWC ram, kernel panic again. Then I contacted Apple support. I was on the iMessage with them for 3 hours, installed macOS twice, till 3 AM. As soon as they close the case, kernel panic again.
I returned OWC, installed Crucial (4X32GB) yesterday, again and again.

When the machine works, everything is so smooth, the 10 core CUP helps a lot on my multiple scenarios simulation.
But, when kernel panic happens, I just want to go back to my Lenovo P52.

Oh I also want to mention kernel panic issue happens on both Catalina and Big sur Beta

I have had almost identical kernel panic issues on my 7,1 Mac Pro with the w5700x GPU and Catalina (but no display glitches). 2/3 of the people who responded to a poll I posted that have the 5700 GPU on a 7,1 with Catalina say they have no problems... 1/3 DO and have not found a solution! Knowing what I know now, I would just return the machine and hope for better luck next time. I honestly have no idea what the cause really is. Apple finally agreed to replace my machine two weeks ago (saying they "think" it is the logic board?) and took a credit card number to place a hold on it, but I never heard another word?

 

[pldelisle]

honestly, wtf does that have to do with his graphical glitch dude?
you’re not driving towards any solution with that question.

It’s like if someone said they have a 40 inch 4K tv that has a glitch and you ask them “why do you need a 40 inch 4K TV?”

who the frick cares why they want that piece of hardware. They’re asking about an issue that shouldn’t be present with that piece of hardware.

Do you know what the word “curiosity“ means ? Because yeah, sometimes people are just curious about something.

You need to freaking calm down. Your provocative tone toward Freida is seriously disgusting. This guy is one of the best I read on this forum and deserves respect.

 

[ADGrant]

I‘d say yes to this generally. But in this present case, the iMac in only 1 year will have nothing to do with the current iMac. Apple Silicon will clearly revolutionize everything we know from Apple. So knowing the context of Apple right now, I’d say “just go with what you need now and don’t worry about the future because anyway it will be clearly in another league in a very short period of time”.

I believe the transition is supposed to be over the next two years and I would expect the laptops and the more compact desktops to transition first. But many people buying what is probably the last high end Intel iMac have perhaps decided that they want the option to keep using an Intel Mac for as long as possible which is another reason to load it up. Even if the plan is to sell it, I think there will be a healthy market for high end Intel Macs for a while.

 

[Freida]

Its basic probing and curiosity. You would be surprised how many times people got something they didn't need because a friend told them. There is nothing wrong to ask that question.
Even myself I sometimes bought something that I didn't need and actually was glad that someone pointed it out and then explained so I returned it and saved money. Good advice is never "who the frick cares" as you put it. In fact, advice is always valued in my book. I may not act on it but its good to hear another opinion which is why most of us are here.

And in this case, he is in return window so if he is thinking of returning then re-evaluating the specs COULD be an option also. No need to be grumpy or aggressive about it.

honestly, wtf does that have to do with his graphical glitch dude?
you’re not driving towards any solution with that question.

It’s like if someone said they have a 40 inch 4K tv that has a glitch and you ask them “why do you need a 40 inch 4K TV?”

who the frick cares why they want that piece of hardware. They’re asking about an issue that shouldn’t be present with that piece of hardware.

 

[Freida]

I understand your point of view but still feel one should be what you need (or actually think you might need) which you have kinda explained was your case. The machine was fine for yourself and the only reason why it wasn't was when the user changed (ie. your daughter - games)

Games are also often not good indicator for longevity as they go too fast on the specs curve that one can hardly future proof for them. Its just a lost battle.

I completely agree with SSD but to a degree. ie. Don't buy 4 or 8TB just because its the max spec and you may need it. I think decent rule of thumb is double what you have max now. ie. I had 512gb on 2012 retina and that wasn't enough. Got 2017 MBP with 1tb and it was fine but now im struggling a bit (could still make it work though) so for "future proofing" and ease of my use etc. the iMac is going to be 2TB. That is something I feel might work for most people.
(considering price vs need also though).

Also, as mentioned - this one is different now. The AS will shift the cards quite a lot and I feel that if you want to maximise your ROI then 2-4 years down the line reevaluate the market and the current product and consider selling as eventually, these machines will not be easy to sell after some period of time.

Right now we don't know how this all plays out but its good to be "strict" about it whilst thinking optimistic. Personally, I think AS will be such a big deal that intel macs will be ancient past and developers might lose interest updating for it very quickly so that is another crucial aspect of decisions today.

So yeah, this time we are dealing with a much complex issue. Keep that in mind please

I have not seen a kernel panic. If you order another that won't address the glitch issue but it might address the kernel panic.


Buying the high end model has always worked well for me and the lack of progress from Intel on CPU performance only makes the argument to buy a better GPU and bigger SSD stronger.

The iMac isn't really upgradable except for the RAM. Yes you can get an external SSD but larger SSDs are faster and you only have one Thunderbolt controller. Yes you can get an eGPU but if I wanted to do that I could have just bought a Mac mini. For my Macs, I always buy more than I think I will need because I can't predict what I will need in 5 years time. I just retired a 2009 quad core iMac and when I bought it the guy at the Apple store asked me why I was buying the most expensive version. I told him "because that's what I want". In the end I basically ran out of disk space and the GPU wasn't powerful enough for my daughter to run Minecraft so it had to go.

iPhones & iPads are different though. It's a bit easier to predict usage patterns. With the iPad I still always get the LTE modem.

 

[Nicole1980]

Do you know what the word “curiosity“ means ? Because yeah, sometimes people are just curious about something.

You need to freaking calm down. Your provocative tone toward Freida is seriously disgusting. This guy is one of the best I read on this forum and deserves respect.

Sorry. I now know from you I should bow to the mighty Frieda. (as I now back out the forum timidly)

 

[Freida]

Hahahahahaha.
You know what he meant, don't you?

No need to bow, just don't be so 'aggressive'. Its good to have opposing opinion but lets discuss it normally.
I'm sometimes quite firm on my believes too but I try to stay away (not always successful) from railing off the good tone

Its all good, we are all here for a reason. ;-)

Sorry. I now know from you I should bow to the mighty Frieda. (as I now back out the forum timidly)