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User profile for user: dwarnecke11
dwarnecke11 Author
User level: Level 1
0 points

Real-World Performance: i5 vs i7

We've all seen the impressive benchmarks for the latest round of iMacs.

_Geekbench (64-bit)_
3.06 C2D ~ 4700
2.66 i5 ~ 7400
2.8 i7 ~ 9600

The i7 nearly matches the Mac Pro (with the $500 2.93 Ghz processor upgrade!).

I've been ready to upgrade for years now. My 1.42 Ghz G4 Mac mini has served me well since the spring of 2005 but it just can't keep up anymore. It's been utterly reliable, stable, and has aged better than any PC I've owned, but it's paltry 80 GB 4200 rpm HD, 512 MB of RAM and OS 10.3 ⚠ are definitely holding back my experience.

I've committed myself to buying a new iMac next week, either an i5 or i7. As impressive as the i7 is, would its real-world advantage mirror the impressive benchmarks or turn out to be a ~10% increase? I don't use expensive, cutting-edge software that would be able to utilize hyperthreading or perhaps even multiple cores. These benchmarks utilize every iota of power that these processors can provide and exploit all their functions. In a real-world setting, say, rendering a scene in Cinema 4D or a movie in iMovie, would the difference be all that noticeable? Futureproofing is a top concern of mine. I'd prefer to buy the best I can afford and enjoy using it for years and years. If I kept the iMac for five years, the i7 would cost be about ten cents per day over the i5.

How important will it be to have hyperthreading? The i5 lacks it. Does anyone know if the i5 runs cooler than the i7?

Some of these tests showed the 3.33 C2D outperforming the i5, but not the i7:

http://eshop.macsales.com/Reviews/Framework.cfm?page=/Benchmarks/iMacSnowBench.h tml

This greatly concerns me. I'm leaning towards the i7, but I'm not ruling out the i5. Any input would be appreciated.

Mac mini G4 1.42 Ghz, Mac OS X (10.3.x)

Posted on Nov 19, 2009 10:34 AM

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24 replies
User profile for user: aberlin
aberlin
User level: Level 1
4 points

Nov 19, 2009 11:01 AM in response to dwarnecke11

dwarnecke11 wrote:
We've all seen the impressive benchmarks for the latest round of iMacs.
How important will it be to have hyperthreading? The i5 lacks it. Does anyone know if the i5 runs cooler than the i7?


i want to know as well

Some of these tests showed the 3.33 C2D outperforming the i5, but not the i7:

http://eshop.macsales.com/Reviews/Framework.cfm?page=/Benchmarks/iMacSnowBench.h tml


wow, this is extrem. why does the i5 fall off so massively in those memory hog tests ?

This greatly concerns me. I'm leaning towards the i7, but I'm not ruling out the i5. Any input would be appreciated.


wouldn't you also considder the C2D version if it runs coolder (more quiet) and even out performs the i5 in some situations ?
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User profile for user: rkaufmann87
rkaufmann87
User level: Level 10
144,186 points

Nov 19, 2009 11:03 AM in response to dwarnecke11

First welcome to Apple Discussions!

I don't think anyone can provide any additional information right now besides what you have already researched.

My thoughts are if your primary concern is future proofing then the cost of upgrading to the i7 makes sense. Right now there is very little software that takes advantage of Hyperthreading however that will probably change as developers re-write their products or develop new products. Which developers (and their products) and when will that occur is anyones guess as software development (particularly for the larger companies) is a major investment in time and resources. Each company needs to see if it makes sense for them make that decision so you can see that will be done on one by one basis.

All that being said, if I was in your shoes the extra $200 for the i7 is really a no brainer.

Regards,

Roger
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User profile for user: dwarnecke11
dwarnecke11 Author
User level: Level 1
0 points

Nov 19, 2009 11:15 AM in response to dwarnecke11

Thanks for the info. I'm sure the capabilities of the i5 and i7 will be exploited in the coming years, this is why I'm hesitant to go with the C2D. Just a year after I got my G4 Mac mini they switched to Intel processors across the board, I don't want to repeat this pattern.

I think I can justify the i7, it's been extolled on this forum and on many others for its groundbreaking performance. Unfortunately it looks like I'll have to order online, as I was hoping to buy it at an Apple retail store. I believe the consensus is that they do not have any i7s.
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User profile for user: rkaufmann87
rkaufmann87
User level: Level 10
144,186 points

Nov 19, 2009 11:52 AM in response to dwarnecke11

When answering a post, please don't reply to your own post otherwise we have no idea who you are speaking to. 🙂

Because the i7 is currently only a configure to order (CTO) item you will not find it in the stores. This is very common, when I bought my machine in 2007 it was a CTO only and wasn't found in the stores. I would think as C2D's are phased out then you will probably see them in-store but that is pure speculation and not really allowed in this forum.

There is nothing wrong with buying online, once you have made your final decision place your order and then you will be excited until it arrives.

Regards,

Roger
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User profile for user: Thrifty One
Thrifty One
User level: Level 2
274 points

Nov 19, 2009 12:54 PM in response to rkaufmann87

Roger,

I thought the i7 would only be online as well, but they are selling them through the Apple retail stores. In the Chicago area, I was told by one suburban store (Oakbrook) that they would only be stocked in the downtown Chicago store. However, another suburban store (Naperville) said they received 4 of the i7's this week and sold them the same day. Naperville did not plan on using any of the i7's as display models, but said they are expecting more to arrive.

I was glad to hear this as I prefer to buy one through a local Apple store in case of any problems.
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User profile for user: kayjh
kayjh
User level: Level 1
140 points

Nov 19, 2009 1:46 PM in response to dwarnecke11

I ordered an i7 but probably don't need it. You almost seem to be answering your own question in that you were not unsatisfied with your current Mac. I think any of these models will shock you with their speed compared to what you are used to and as a result all of the new models will probably exceed your expectations.

Good luck with your decision. 🙂
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User profile for user: dwarnecke11
dwarnecke11 Author
User level: Level 1
0 points

Nov 19, 2009 2:44 PM in response to kayjh

Thanks! For the record, my mini scores 785 on Geekbench, less than +one twelfth+ of what the i7 scores. It takes two minutes to quit iPhoto! Just browsing the web is making the fan rev up. I'm quite giddy with the thought of making this quantum leap in power.

I might as well go for the i7, many have called the i5/i7 decision a "no-brainer". With my student discount, the difference is only $180.

Interesting to hear that some Apple retail stores have the i7.
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User profile for user: bluebermuda
bluebermuda
User level: Level 1
15 points

Nov 19, 2009 3:27 PM in response to Thrifty One

If the Naperville store received i7 iMacs then Oakbrook will certainly have them in stock shortly. As you know Oakbrook has far more traffic than Naperville. Someone would have to be insane to purchase an iMac from the Michigan Avenue, Chicago store. The sales tax is in excess of 10%. The Michigan Avenue store exists mostly for publicity purposes.
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User profile for user: Thrifty One
Thrifty One
User level: Level 2
274 points

Nov 19, 2009 4:08 PM in response to bluebermuda

I agree -- would never pay the sales tax in Chicago. I was also surprised that Naperville had them, but Oakbrook did not. I called Oakbrook this week -- they were the ones who told me only the Michigan Ave store would get the i7's. They said Oakbrook and other suburban stores would not be getting any i7's. I work in Naperville and went to the store over lunch yesterday. The Apple employee there told me they had some come in earlier in the week and were sold the same day.

Now, I have to give the disclaimer.... neither of these stores has overly impressed me with the sales people. I have heard them tell customers the wrong info many times. When I bought my 2 MacBook Pro's this year, both times they tried to ring up the wrong educational discount ($50 instead of $100). I could go back to Naperville tomorrow and it wouldn't surprise me if another sales rep told me they had never received any i7's in the store.

I'm a little concerned about the whole screen flicker thing, so I will wait a couple weeks to get the i7 (unless Black Friday price beats my education or corporate discount). Hopefully, I can pick it up in Naperville/Oakbrook/Woodfield -- will compare sales tax rates).
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User profile for user: dwarnecke11
dwarnecke11 Author
User level: Level 1
0 points

Nov 19, 2009 6:26 PM in response to dpaulc

I read this. Hmmm... Now I'm thinking an i5 would be futureproof enough and plenty fast for my needs based on those tests. I'm not sure if $180 is worth saving a few seconds per minute of rendering time to me. Notably, gaming performance seems to be identical between the i5 and i7. Plus, it would be much easier to exchange a defective i5 than an i7 since it could be done right at the store. I'll have to check for screen cracks, noisy hard drives, noisy fans, and other problems likely exaggerated by forums such as these :-P

So many things to consider here.
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User profile for user: Thrifty One
Thrifty One
User level: Level 2
274 points

Nov 19, 2009 7:13 PM in response to bluebermuda

Blue,

I wanted to find out the "truth" about the i7's in stores so I went back to the Naperville store after work. I spoke with the manager, who first said that they would carry the i7. He then wanted to double check and found out that it was not an option in his system. I mentioned someone at the Oakbrook store said only the Michigan Ave store would carry the i7. He said he ran the Michigan Ave store for a couple years and that they would not be able to order any different hardware than any other store.

So, it appears for now the i7 will only be available online. Sorry I passed on some inaccurate info earlier.
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Real-World Performance: i5 vs i7

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