Why do I need multiple cores with hyper-threading and a fast graphics card?'Ģ. The 'light use' argument:'I only use my iMac to read email and surf the net. It runs fastest if you dedicate at least 1GB to each core.ġ. For example, After Effects limits the number of real (and virtual) cores it uses if you can't dedicate at least. I recommend more memory if you are running apps like Photoshop, Motion, and After Effects. I tested our Core i7 with 4GB of RAM because that's the amount the 'remote mad scientists' had in their Core i5 and Core i3. Be aware that hyper-threading or turbo boost are not features available in all models.Ģ. I say the top iMac model is the best buy. The Core i7 beats the Core i3 by 34% though costing 29% more. The Core i7 beats the Core i5 by 20% though costing 10% more, and, Want more real world? In the iMovie 'export to HD' test, The Core i7 beats the Core i3 by 42% though costing 29% more. The Core i7 beats the Core i5 by 33%, though costing 10% more, and, Want real world? In the After Effects render test, You pay $629 for each rating point on the Core i3. You pay $526 for each rating point on the Core i5, and You pay $400 for each rating point on the Core i7, To put it another way, going by the Cinebench rating, The Core i5 is as much as 41% faster than the Core i3 for 18% more cost. The Core i7 is as much as 104% faster (twice as fast) as the Core i3 for 29% more cost.

The 'mid 2010' iMac Core i7, is as much as 45% faster than the Core i5 for 10% more cost. In the next two graphs, SHORTER bar means FASTER.Ĭore i7 = 'mid 2010' iMac 2.93GHz Core i7 with 4G of 1333 MHz RAM (4 cores, Hyper-Threading and Turbo Boost, Radeon HD 5750 GPU)Ĭore i5 = 'mid 2010' iMac 2.80GHz Core i5 with 4G of 1333 MHz RAM (4 cores, Turbo Boost but NO Hyper-Threading, Radeon HD 5750 GPU)Ĭore i3 = 'mid 2010' iMac 3.20GHz Core i3 with 4G of 1333 MHz RAM (2 cores, Hyper-Threading but NO Turbo Boost, Radeon HD 5670 GPU) In the first two graphs, LONGER bar means FASTER. We would love to have one of everything in our lab but until we can afford that or borrow time on one of each, we have enlisted the help of 'remote mad scientists,' otherwise known as 'readers.' We don't have all the results we hope to post but here's a taste for those who can't wait. Wed, August 11th, 2010, corrected X-Plane results Posted Friday, August 6th, 2010, by rob-ART morgan, mad scientist

Imac mid 2010 ram upgrade instr