RAM or GHz? What's more important?

Question

Gugg Author

Level 1

8 points

RAM or GHz? What's more important?

Hey guys,

i'm going to buy an iMac, and this is sure. But which configuration should i take?

The:

27", Intel Core i5 2,7 GHz, 8GB RAM, 1TB S-ATA

or the:

27", Intel Core i7 3,1 GHz, 4GB RAM, 1TB S-ATA?

So, my question is, what is more important? RAM or GHz?

For those who wanna know how i use the iMac, im gonna surf on the Internet, probably have more Progams open, and im gonna play casual games, like MINECRAFT or so, but not much of these.

Thank you very much for your answer! Good day! :D

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.4)

Posted on Jun 21, 2012 12:11 PM

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Answer 1

Jun 21, 2012 12:16 PM in response to Gugg

From your stated use either should be fine. If you were going to do cpu intensive work, heavy graphic design or work using ray tracing you would be better off with the i7 since you not only get clock speed but also more onboard cache memory. The memory you can upgrade yourself for a fraction of the cost, user upgradable and does not affect your warranty.

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Answer 2

dwb

Level 7

33,326 points

Jun 21, 2012 12:50 PM in response to Gugg

A fast processor operating with insufficient memory is like a Camaro with an empty tank. When working with a limited budget I make sure I have enough RAM even if it means buying a computer with a slower processor. Others might argue that the RAM can always be upgraded later but the CPU cannot and that's true, but it is also true that having a computer hampered by too little RAM wasn't money spent well.

Leopard and 4GB RAM is a bare minimum with an iMac - 8GB is much better. Further keep in mind that for the last 5 years or so each OS upgrade has required more RAM but hasn't had a huge impact on the need for a faster processor.

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