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Buying a New iMac
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<blockquote data-quote="don_macabre" data-source="post: 869481" data-attributes="member: 108862"><p>Firstly, many thanks for the prompt reply. Greatly appreciated.</p><p></p><p>Since writing the thread, I've started looking at things on Wiki. It genuinely hadn't occurred to me until I'd posted, but I think I've apologised enough for it in my original post... ;D</p><p></p><p>I also have plans to trap a CompSci friend and forcefeed him nachos until he tells me everything I need to know at some point!</p><p></p><p>Ok. Processor speeds. My instinct tells me that I want the fastest one possible given the exponential (?) increase in demands from gaming software in particular. However, looking at it rationally I can't quite convince myself that the 0.4GHz difference between the bottom- and top-end specifications can be that great. However, I'm a self-confessed layperson. Perhaps that 0.4GHz makes all the difference in the world? You think I wouldn't notice differences in applications - for simple applications I completely agree. Is that still the case for higher-end programmes like games? I also tend to rip my DVDs and store 'em on an external drive - will the processor increase the speed of that happening significantly?</p><p></p><p>CPU = central processor unit = processor, right? So if I chose the 2.66GHz and it blows, I can't change it. Ok.</p><p></p><p>Memory isn't as expensive as all that, I think. I looked on Crucial (I'm in Britain) and I believe <a href="http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/partspecs.aspx?IMODULE=CT2KIT51272BB1067" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue">this</span></a> is the 8GB memory that I would need - it seems to have the exact same specs as the one offered by Apple. Apple's memory costs £800.00 from their UK store. That's too much. However, if I'm getting'n'selling an iPod with it, I can justify popping out an extra couple hundred bucks on the memory <em>IF</em> it makes a difference. Presumably, however, if I can upgrade it when I get the system I can also upgrade it a few years down the line. Which is most likely to cause problems with running applications - the CPU or the RAM?</p><p></p><p>GPU = graphics processing unit? Ok, no upgrades. Is that a hardware or software issue? I presume hardware, as the software changes as time goes by. How then do people with PCs upgrade their graphics cards? Is this a Mac-specific problem? Hmmm. You say the 4850 is better for 3D rendering and gaming - are there other things the Radeon is better at? Or is 3D rendering and gaming the be-all-and-end-all of a GPU's remit?</p><p></p><p>Finally, I'm never going to be a 'serious' gamer, I don't think. I'll always be casual. I just prefer having more choice of game and not being left behind playing Escape Velocity (brilliant, brilliant game; don't get me wrong!) while all my friends are off getting some crazy new-fangled high-tech, 3D, shooty, escape-from-monsters, build-stuff and blow-stuff-up gaming high.</p><p></p><p>I understand the thinking behind building a gaming rig. However, I am absolutely definitely a Mac user. I quite simply don't want a PC.</p><p></p><p>Oh, and what's overclocking? <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite8" alt=":D" title="Big grin :D" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":D" /> </p><p></p><p>So. Thanks again for the quick response. Hopefully these aren't questions I can quickly Google...! <img src="/mac_images/images/smilies/Innocent.png" class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt="O:)" title="Innocent O:)" data-shortname="O:)" /></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="don_macabre, post: 869481, member: 108862"] Firstly, many thanks for the prompt reply. Greatly appreciated. Since writing the thread, I've started looking at things on Wiki. It genuinely hadn't occurred to me until I'd posted, but I think I've apologised enough for it in my original post... ;D I also have plans to trap a CompSci friend and forcefeed him nachos until he tells me everything I need to know at some point! Ok. Processor speeds. My instinct tells me that I want the fastest one possible given the exponential (?) increase in demands from gaming software in particular. However, looking at it rationally I can't quite convince myself that the 0.4GHz difference between the bottom- and top-end specifications can be that great. However, I'm a self-confessed layperson. Perhaps that 0.4GHz makes all the difference in the world? You think I wouldn't notice differences in applications - for simple applications I completely agree. Is that still the case for higher-end programmes like games? I also tend to rip my DVDs and store 'em on an external drive - will the processor increase the speed of that happening significantly? CPU = central processor unit = processor, right? So if I chose the 2.66GHz and it blows, I can't change it. Ok. Memory isn't as expensive as all that, I think. I looked on Crucial (I'm in Britain) and I believe [url=http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/partspecs.aspx?IMODULE=CT2KIT51272BB1067][color=blue]this[/color][/url] is the 8GB memory that I would need - it seems to have the exact same specs as the one offered by Apple. Apple's memory costs £800.00 from their UK store. That's too much. However, if I'm getting'n'selling an iPod with it, I can justify popping out an extra couple hundred bucks on the memory [i]IF[/i] it makes a difference. Presumably, however, if I can upgrade it when I get the system I can also upgrade it a few years down the line. Which is most likely to cause problems with running applications - the CPU or the RAM? GPU = graphics processing unit? Ok, no upgrades. Is that a hardware or software issue? I presume hardware, as the software changes as time goes by. How then do people with PCs upgrade their graphics cards? Is this a Mac-specific problem? Hmmm. You say the 4850 is better for 3D rendering and gaming - are there other things the Radeon is better at? Or is 3D rendering and gaming the be-all-and-end-all of a GPU's remit? Finally, I'm never going to be a 'serious' gamer, I don't think. I'll always be casual. I just prefer having more choice of game and not being left behind playing Escape Velocity (brilliant, brilliant game; don't get me wrong!) while all my friends are off getting some crazy new-fangled high-tech, 3D, shooty, escape-from-monsters, build-stuff and blow-stuff-up gaming high. I understand the thinking behind building a gaming rig. However, I am absolutely definitely a Mac user. I quite simply don't want a PC. Oh, and what's overclocking? :D So. Thanks again for the quick response. Hopefully these aren't questions I can quickly Google...! O:) [/QUOTE]
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