iMac quad-core CPUs found 25% faster than in Apple's last gen models
The new iMac lineup with quad-core Intel Sandy Bridge processors is consistently 25 percent faster than its predecessors, and 70 percent faster than the Core 2 Duo all-in-one desktops Apple released in 2009.
Benchmark tests of the early 2011 iMacs released this week were collected by Primate Labs. They show the high-end, 27-inch 3.4Ghz Core i7 model with a Geekbench score of 11602, besting the score of 9124 for the 2.93Ghz model released in mid-2010.
Results are not yet available for all Sandy Bridge iMac configurations, including the 21.7-inch Core i7 iMac. The tests measure processor and memory performance, but do not take into account new video cards or solid-state storage options.
"While the improvements aren't as dramatic as with the Sandy Bridge MacBook Pros, there's a consistent 25% performance improvement between Sandy Bridge and Lynnfield (the previous generation chips) at both the low-end and high-end of the iMac model range," the report said.
The tests also included the iMac models released in late 2009, which were powered by an even older Intel chip line, the Core 2 Duo. The new Sandy Bridge iMacs best those 2009 desktops by about 70 percent in CPU performance, offering what the site said is a "compelling upgrade" for those still running the Wolfdale-based systems.
Apple's new iMacs were released on Tuesday. Apple boasted that the new models are up to 70 percent faster than their predecessors, with graphics performance up to three times that of the previous generation.
Intel's latest-generation Core i processors, dubbed Sandy Bridge has been called by the chipmaker the "biggest advance in computing performance and capabilities over any other previous generations." All of the iMac processors are quad-core, and configurations are available up to a 3.4Ghz Intel Core i7.
The new iMacs also feature AMD Radeon HD graphics, which are not represented in the Geekbench scores. The entry-level 21.5-inch $1,119 model sports the AMD Radeon 6750M GPU with 512MB of GDDR5 memory, while on the high end, custom configurations can feature the Radeon HD 6970M with 2GB of memory.
Promotional materials on Apple's site boast that the new Radeon HD graphics are up to three times faster than their predecessors. They show tests with popular games running on the entry-level 6750M, with "Portal" showing a 4.8 times speed improvement, while "Call of Duty 4" has a 3.5 times boost.
Benchmark tests of the early 2011 iMacs released this week were collected by Primate Labs. They show the high-end, 27-inch 3.4Ghz Core i7 model with a Geekbench score of 11602, besting the score of 9124 for the 2.93Ghz model released in mid-2010.
Results are not yet available for all Sandy Bridge iMac configurations, including the 21.7-inch Core i7 iMac. The tests measure processor and memory performance, but do not take into account new video cards or solid-state storage options.
"While the improvements aren't as dramatic as with the Sandy Bridge MacBook Pros, there's a consistent 25% performance improvement between Sandy Bridge and Lynnfield (the previous generation chips) at both the low-end and high-end of the iMac model range," the report said.
The tests also included the iMac models released in late 2009, which were powered by an even older Intel chip line, the Core 2 Duo. The new Sandy Bridge iMacs best those 2009 desktops by about 70 percent in CPU performance, offering what the site said is a "compelling upgrade" for those still running the Wolfdale-based systems.
Apple's new iMacs were released on Tuesday. Apple boasted that the new models are up to 70 percent faster than their predecessors, with graphics performance up to three times that of the previous generation.
Intel's latest-generation Core i processors, dubbed Sandy Bridge has been called by the chipmaker the "biggest advance in computing performance and capabilities over any other previous generations." All of the iMac processors are quad-core, and configurations are available up to a 3.4Ghz Intel Core i7.
The new iMacs also feature AMD Radeon HD graphics, which are not represented in the Geekbench scores. The entry-level 21.5-inch $1,119 model sports the AMD Radeon 6750M GPU with 512MB of GDDR5 memory, while on the high end, custom configurations can feature the Radeon HD 6970M with 2GB of memory.
Promotional materials on Apple's site boast that the new Radeon HD graphics are up to three times faster than their predecessors. They show tests with popular games running on the entry-level 6750M, with "Portal" showing a 4.8 times speed improvement, while "Call of Duty 4" has a 3.5 times boost.
Comments
My thinking right now is to buy an iMac and then upgrade my MBP when Ivy Bridge comes out (probably with an MBA).
I bet a Time Machine backup with ThunderBolt would be pretty impressive, too.
iMac (late 2009) Intel Core Duo E7600 3.06GHz (2 cores) 4220
iMac (27" 2011) Intel Core i7 2600 3.4GHz (4 cores) 11602
I must be reading it wrong or misunderstanding because 70% faster than 4220 is 7174.
11602 would be just over 170% faster than 4220.
Either way, I'm getting a new one as mine tests in at 4235 probably due to the extra memory.
That said, it's nice to see the wheels of progress turning steadily. Intel's continuous progress on its desktop platforms is impressive.
[argh, title should say "News flash:"]
Did the last gen's 21.5 inch have hyperthreading? The current one with the i5 doesn't. So is that 25% improvement per core, or the total theoretical max for all threads being used? Looking at that chart there isn't that big a difference between the previous dual core + HT and the current quad, so I guess its the latter.
http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=52211
I appreciate the speed boosts. Can anyone confirm that the new iMac does 450 mb/s wifi?
Confirmed.
http://www.9to5mac.com/65700/the-new...-450-mbs-wifi/
I bet a Time Machine backup with ThunderBolt would be pretty impressive, too.
Ideally, about 12 times of the speed of FireWire 800.
I bet a Time Machine backup with ThunderBolt would be pretty impressive, too.
Yeah, that was one of my first thoughts too. With Time Machine currently offering no way to control the frequency of back-ups, my 2009 Core 2 Duo iMac gets virtually paralyzed once an hour for what seems like 10 minutes of back up. And that is with a FireWire 800 connector! When Western Digital comes out with a Thunderbolt MyBook I'm buying both it and a new iMac. On the other hand, if Lion is tied to iCloud, there may be other alternatives in play later this year.
Ideally, about 12 times of the speed of FireWire 800.
If you had a backup solution that could write that fast, yeah. For most home/casual-ish users, it will be a while before thats realistic.
Yeah, that was one of my first thoughts too. With Time Machine currently offering no way to control the frequency of back-ups, my 2009 Core 2 Duo iMac gets virtually paralyzed once an hour for what seems like 10 minutes of back up. And that is with a FireWire 800 connector! When Western Digital comes out with a Thunderbolt MyBook I'm buying both it and a new iMac. On the other hand, if Lion is tied to iCloud, there may be other alternatives in play later this year.
I'm surprised your backups are so crippling. My 2008 core 2 duo iMac usually takes about 45 seconds or less to backup and I'm using USB. Even my MacBook Air can backup wirelessly in under a minute.
At least, that's how I see it.
Yeah, that was one of my first thoughts too. With Time Machine currently offering no way to control the frequency of back-ups, my 2009 Core 2 Duo iMac gets virtually paralyzed once an hour for what seems like 10 minutes of back up. And that is with a FireWire 800 connector! When Western Digital comes out with a Thunderbolt MyBook I'm buying both it and a new iMac. On the other hand, if Lion is tied to iCloud, there may be other alternatives in play later this year.
I don't even notice when the back-ups take place. On one machine I use USB the other its over wifi. I also have a 2009 iMac. I suspect you have other issues.
iMac (27-inch Mid 2010) - 9124 - 32-bit mode
iMac (27-inch Mid 2010) - 10544 - 64-bit mode
I looked at their Mac Benchmarks and didn't see it listed yet.
absolutely shocking that a computer is the same price and almost twice as fast as a 2 year old model
Misleading. For some tasks for some people it could be up to twice as fast.
But for most tasks for most people there's not much of a difference.
Look at what they can do on an iPad with a much lesser cpu than a C2D and you'll see where I'm coming from.
Misleading. For some tasks for some people it could be up to twice as fast.
But for most tasks for most people there's not much of a difference.
Look at what they can do on an iPad with a much lesser cpu than a C2D and you'll see where I'm coming from.
that's because the software is gimped compared to the regular versions
Misleading. For some tasks for some people it could be up to twice as fast.
While I'm not a huge fan of benchmarks, a machine that is all around twice as fast will be twice as fast for all users. The machine does not become slower because somebody can't use the power inside.
But for most tasks for most people there's not much of a difference.
Total BS.
Look at what they can do on an iPad with a much lesser cpu than a C2D and you'll see where I'm coming from.
Totally unrelated. IPad only has one app at a time running so a good portion of the CPU is dedicated to that app. Further many apps leverage built in special purpose hardware. The fact is, even if people dont want to hear this, is that the iPads CPU sucks extremely badly when called upon to handle CPU bound tasks.
While I'm not a huge fan of benchmarks, a machine that is all around twice as fast will be twice as fast for all users. The machine does not become slower because somebody can't use the power inside.
Total BS.
Totally unrelated. IPad only has one app at a time running so a good portion of the CPU is dedicated to that app. Further many apps leverage built in special purpose hardware. The fact is, even if people dont want to hear this, is that the iPads CPU sucks extremely badly when called upon to handle CPU bound tasks.
The problem is for most of us the all in one imac is a family device and even 4 yr old models are still great for most apps.
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