Originally Posted By Mr X Okay, so I'm checking out the new specs and about the ONLY difference I see besides storage space is that the processor is either 2.0Ghz, 2.4Ghz, or 2.8... It's kinda neat that the maxed out model actually has 1TB of storage...but rather meaningless really since I already own a couple of external hard drives. So, what's the big deal with the 2.0/2.4 etc...is there really a big difference? If not, I think I'm fine with the cheapest model (it's still quite an upgrade from my old computer anyway). And by the way, SuperDry, you're welcome (danged cool apple products...can't keep away from em!).
Originally Posted By Mr X Also what's the difference between the Radeon HD 2400 XT and the Radeon HD 2600 PRO? If someone could explain some fundimentals about processors,ghz,and this Radeon thing that'd be fantastic too! Thanks.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad Sounds like you have it about right on the iMac but if there is an Apple Store in your town... And I have no clue on the vid cards.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<So, what's the big deal with the 2.0/2.4...>> The 2.8 goes to 11. The 2.0 and 2.4's are duo-core; the 2.8 a quad. How that equates into difference in performance, I have no idea. It reminds me of bicycle components, my field of expertise. Shimano's Dura Ace group is the pro stuff and costs twice as much as their Ultegra line, but in a blind test, I'd bet most people would be hard pressed to tell the difference between the two. <<what's the difference between the Radeon HD 2400 XT and the Radeon HD 2600 PRO?>> I don't play games at all, but from a review I just read, neither of these is good enough for a hardcore games player.
Originally Posted By peeaanuut quad core vs dual core is based on cycles. You can perform more cycles at once with more cores. Example: If your computer seems to run slower when you are burning a CD and you are on a single core processor, that slowness will go away with a dual core. Lets get into practicallity of why quad cores were really introduced. As games got more complex there was more going on. There was the game engine itself, than there would be some helper app to add communication or messaging. So instead of trying to push that through on a single core and overworking the processor, you can now push it through 2 cores and it works quite a bit better and smoother. It is helpful in todays day in age of bit torrent running in the background, while you load songs in iTunes, surf the web, burn a CD, watch a DVD and IM all while taking a skype call. <<The 2.8 goes to 11. >> Love it. lol
Originally Posted By trekkeruss That's why I said most people wouldn't notice. Maybe I am naive, but I don't think that most people are heavy users and need the kind of power that someone like you, peeaanuut, do.
Originally Posted By peeaanuut Well I just do old school mulitcore. I just have multiple computers. lol I cant afford all those fancy smancy new toys. I have an old Athalon 2300+ which is really just a 1.8. I just have 3 of them in different computers. 1 for media, 1 for gaming and 1 for other (photoshop, photos and the like.
Originally Posted By avromark You game with an Athlon XP? My Athlon XP runs my home media server. I have a couple of dual core (1 AMD, 1 Intel) one is my gaming rig the other is my general workhorse. I'm thinking of going Mac again for video editing, but would never game with a Mac heh. Interestingly both my works have switched to IBM, both are Core Duo's. Multi-core computers are definately nicer to work on they "lock up" less. And who doesn't use their computers potential? Anyone who games or edits videos would.
Originally Posted By peeaanuut yeah I really only play WWII Games, so Medal of Honor, Call of Duty, Battfield, Tomb Raider and Gun. I love the format of gun on the PC. I cannot play first person shooters on a consol so I play them on PC. I dont heavily game and I hate RPG games, especially WoW. So my athalon with a gig of ram works out good. Plus being on a really good a-bit board helps alot.
Originally Posted By berol One bulletin board was going on about the choice of video boards as if it killed millions of people. I look at them for how long I want to stay compatible with the future latest and greatest games and how much time I realistically have to play any. I don't have enough free time to play the games I have, let alone get new ones. If only I were 12 again. Apple's website says 2.8 is dual core in one place All I could find elsewhere says some Extremes are dual, some are quad.
