2.16ghz / 2.33ghz

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At present, I own a PC with 2.16ghz core 2 duo 2gigs of ram and a 7950GT graphics card, this computer is more than decent, however I want a mac THAT bad.

This is what I've always wondered, I am basically gonna buy an iMac with the same specs as my PC, minus the graphics card, which ill have to downgrade to 7600GT.

However, I don't know whether to buy an iMac with 2.16 ghz and 3 gigs of ram, or a 2.33ghz with 2 gigs, which is more beneficial? I mainly use my computer for illustrator, photoshop, and I'll use bootcamp to run games.

I'm not entirely sure how this speed issue works, which is better?
2.16ghz - 3gb ram
2.33ghz - 2gb ram???


thanks.
 
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Personally, I don't see .17 Ghz as THAT big a difference when you are talking about adding 33% more RAM.

When the processor speeds are that close, I think you'd see more system improvement with an increase in RAM.

However, even with 2 GB RAM (much less 3 GB), I don't think you're going to notice your machine slow down at any time. =)
 
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Yes. I just want as good a computer as I can.
I just don't know how computers really work at that sort of level, therefore I thought ghz might have had more of an impact on computing than RAM did.
Thanks.
 
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Holy, 3Gigs in an imac jumps up in price considerably. How annoying. I'll have to go with 2.33ghz with 2 gigs RAM.
 
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Or parhaps 2.16GHZ and 2GB RAM is good enough..........................
 
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Trust me, 2 GB will be PLENTY to get you started. If, down the road, you find a need for the extra GB, you can always buy a 2 GB stick from NewEgg.
 
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I heard mixed suggestions that macs do not require as much RAM as pcs do.
 
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Macs are essentially PCs now with the switch to Intel chips. Programs access RAM the same across both platforms, so it's essentially the same. 1GB is the sweet spot for both OS X and Windows XP. Vista, on the other hand, needs 2GB to run smoothly. So I guess you could say OS X needs less RAM than Vista :p

I would definitely suggest getting the faster processor and the least amount of RAM as possible. Then you should take a look at a third party vendor such as Newegg for your RAM upgrade. You will save a TON of money this way.
 
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OK.

Good tips.
 
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What sort of RAM do i look for for an iMac 24"
 
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The iMac uses notebook RAM, so you would have to look for 200-pin DDR2 667 (PC 5300). Also note that the iMac only have 2 memory slots, so to get 3GB, you would need to get a 2GB stick and a 1GB stick.
 
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I was just checking Apple's site. YIKES!! $750 to upgrade to 3GB?!? That's just ridiculous. Check out Newegg's prices:

G.SKILL 1GB - $36.99
G.SKILL 2GB - $129.99

Total - $166.98

I think that's far more reasonable than what Apple is asking for.
 
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Oh Cool!!! thanks heaps this will save me alot of money.
 
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does this non apple branded RAM void the warrenty?
 
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There is no such thing as Apple-branded RAM. You could order RAM from Apple today and then a week from now and they will most likely be from different manufacturers. Apple doesn't make its own memory, it buys them from memory manufacturers.

And no, upgrading the RAM on your iMac will NOT void its warranty
 
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Apple doesn't brand RAM - they just buy it off the shelf from other companies. Any RAM will be fine for your warranty, as long as it's the correct type.
 
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Sooper Fast!
Macs are essentially PCs now with the switch to Intel chips. Programs access RAM the same across both platforms, so it's essentially the same. 1GB is the sweet spot for both OS X and Windows XP. Vista, on the other hand, needs 2GB to run smoothly. So I guess you could say OS X needs less RAM than Vista :p

I would definitely suggest getting the faster processor and the least amount of RAM as possible. Then you should take a look at a third party vendor such as Newegg for your RAM upgrade. You will save a TON of money this way.

You sure? I get plenty of hangups with 1gb in OS X. Mainly with adobe programs, but occasionally with others as well.
 
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For better performance, pair the ram chips. So maybe you'll need to get 4GB (2x2GB)

With 2GB you may use it all up if you run photoshop and a windows OS at the same time, such as with Parallels or Crossover. I can't imagine using up 3GB.
 

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