2.0 vs 2.4 GHz

[T-Man]

Am looking at a new Mac: an iMac 20". So basically, is there any great advantage of .4 more GHz ? Clearly it's more than 2., but is it anything to really consider ? I'm just a regular user that sometimes uses apps like GarageBand, iMovie (and iDVD, since the iMac would have a Superdrive), and not much more CPU-intensive apps. Would I notice much a difference in 2.4 over 2. if I used both side by side ?

And from a 1.5Hz PowerBook G4, I guess it's an upgrade nonetheless. Ignoring clock speeds(1.5 , 2.0 , 2.4...), are Intels 'faster' ? Is a 1.5GHz Intel (Core 2 Duo or whatever) 'faster' than a 1.5GHz PPC ?

[Windowsrookie]

http://forums.applenova.com/showthread.php?t=25239

Yes, a 1.5GHZ Core 2 Duo would be faster than a 1.5GHZ G4. Remember a Core 2 Duo has two cores and like triple the cache plus a faster bus speed compared to a G4. You'd be fine with 2GHZ, but 2.4 wouldn't hurt anything. :)

[T-Man]

I should've looked down a few threads... (I've a bad habit of not searching ; I know, I know.)

Nothing of the 2.4GHz is hurting. Except the price. ;)

And RAM. 1GHz would be fine ?.. Would it be best to upgrade with one of Apple's overpriced selections or anything ? I know that Tiger on Intel works better with 512MB, while Tiger on PPC would be fine with 256MB...

Oh, and I also remembered: graphics card. I don't play games, so is there any benefit of the "ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO with 256MB memory" over "ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT with 128MB memory" ? I know that my PB can't play HD video (...trailers...), but that's more because of the processor and not the graphics card, right ?

[Windowsrookie]

1GB of RAM is low for 10.4 intel. 2GB is highly recommended.

The low end ATI GPU will be fine. It's quite a bit faster than the one in your PowerBook.

Tiger on PPC would not be "fine" with 256mb. It would be a pain in the ass. :p

[T-Man]

Hm...

Almost everything is an upgrade from the PB. Superdrive! 250Gbs! 2.0GHz!

Well, 512MBs on Intel Tiger is like 256MBs on PPC Tiger. Or at least that's how I've mentalised it. I just heard that Intel needs more RAM than was necessary with PPC.

[Windowsrookie]

Yes, and 1GB is the minimum I would run. but 2GB does make a big difference.

[T-Man]

One more question: would you/anyone know if the 1GB that it comes with is two 512s, or just a 1GB in one slot ?

[Windowsrookie]

It used to be 512mb in each slot. But I think I read that in this new iMac it's a single 1GB card.

[T-Man]

Ok. Thanks WR !

[PB PM]

Hm...

Almost everything is an upgrade from the PB. Superdrive! 250Gbs! 2.0GHz!

Well, 512MBs on Intel Tiger is like 256MBs on PPC Tiger. Or at least that's how I've mentalised it. I just heard that Intel needs more RAM than was necessary with PPC.
Not really comparable. Guess you didn't read the box, 512MB is recommend minimum for PPC 10.4. 256MB would just be hurting... it was slow enough with 1.5GBs on my iBook G4. Believe me you'll experience a huge speed boost. When I went from a 1.42Ghz G4 (iBook) to a 2.16Ghz Core 2 Duo it was like going from night to day. A G4 at 1.5Ghz is like riding a bike compared to a C2D, which is like a F1 race car. To be honest a 1Ghz C2D would be way faster than your G4 (when using Intel apps, about the same for PPC apps).

[T-Man]

Oh'k... Then 512 is good for PPC Tiger, but 512 isn't as good for Intel Tiger... I'll try to get another 512MB or 1GB of RAM, and I don't have to deal with 512MBs anyway.

Nice to know. :D I probably am still technically illiterate in this area, but, since there's two CPUs/whatever makes a C2D a Core 2 Duo, does that make a 1GHz C2D about the equivalent of a .5GHz PPC ?

[Windowsrookie]

Nice to know. :D I probably am still technically illiterate in this area, but, since there's two CPUs/whatever makes a C2D a Core 2 Duo, does that make a 1GHz C2D about the equivalent of a .5GHz PPC ?

You can't compare PPC GHZ to C2D GHZ. A C2D will beat any equally clocked PPC though. :)

[T-Man]

You can't compare PPC GHZ to C2D GHZ. A C2D will beat any equally clocked PPC though. :)

Oh well then. But, 'yay'. :)

[Partial]

Am looking at a new Mac: an iMac 20". So basically, is there any great advantage of .4 more GHz ? Clearly it's more than 2., but is it anything to really consider ? I'm just a regular user that sometimes uses apps like GarageBand, iMovie (and iDVD, since the iMac would have a Superdrive), and not much more CPU-intensive apps. Would I notice much a difference in 2.4 over 2. if I used both side by side ?


17% faster. Not a huge difference. Personally, I would save the money because the difference in resale value a few years down the line will be very similiar. Plus then you can enjoy many chipotle burritos while computer really fast, instead of just computing really fast.

[T-Man]

The 2.0GHz is in a more preferable price range anyway, so, yeah... 17% isn't much, and I doubt I'd notice running 17% slower, especially if I can't try out 17% faster at all. I don't know what a 'chipotle' burrito is, but yes, I agree. :)

[World Leader Pretend]

CHIPOTLE BURRITO!!!
http://homepages.luc.edu/~jhalvor/personal/burrito_banks.jpg

[T-Man]

:eek: I shall enjoy many many of those. ;)