Core 2 Duo-based iMacs benchmarked

It's been barely a few days since Apple released the new Core 2 Duo iMacs, but already the benchmarks are coming out. As usual, Macworld is among the first to spar with the new hardware. The lab concluded that compared to the previous iMac Core Duo models, the new models hit a 10 percent improvement over previous models in Macworld Lab's comprehensive Speedmark Test over the previous models. As he explains, part of the advantage is also likely to come via the doubling of the iMacs' L2 Cache to 4MB, which is, of course, contained within the new processor. We feel for the thousands of people who've already bought their Core Duo iMacs -- only to have been surpassed by a 10 percent increase. Really.

[Arbo @ Sep 10th 2006 6:59AM]

I strongly doubt that people already with Core Duo macs bought another iMac. Unless they really want the 24-inch.

[Adjodha @ Sep 10th 2006 7:43AM]

That's true ... wish I had waited, for sure I would have gotten the 24".

I love my 20" core duo, well now I am wondering if I can just upgrade to a core 2 duo processor, instead of buying a new system.

[bob @ Sep 10th 2006 8:05AM]

you can, and core2duo has the same bus speed to

[LD @ Sep 10th 2006 8:29AM]

It's a silly statement to say you feel sorry for someone who bought a computer product and there's already a faster model. That's the way it works.

There will ALWAYS be a faster model just around the corner.

[Joe @ Sep 10th 2006 8:34AM]

LD:

Isn't that the joke? I thought engadger were being ironic. I guess it's true what they say, American's really don't get irony!

[Karl Wagner @ Sep 10th 2006 8:36AM]

Actually bob, whilst you can usually upgrade from Core Duo to Core2Duo with a drop in processor, its not that straight forward:

- the iMac has the CPU soldered in. That means no replacements possible.
- the CD-C2D compatibilty is only whilst the C2D has the slower bus speed. That will change early next year with the Santa Rosa platform (where Merom will get a bus speed bump).

-K

[Prospero @ Jan 29th 2008 1:25PM]

Actually Karl,

whilst

-P

[Brendan @ Sep 10th 2006 8:53AM]

Actually: "Likewise, most of the individual application tests run on the new iMac showed gains of 10 to 20 percent over the Core Duo iMac."

And as is, the "old" iMac's (and I have an intel 1.83 Core Duo the lower model) are fast!!

[Intrepid @ Sep 10th 2006 9:08AM]

And I bet they run Windows better than a PC with the exact same specs... :sarcasm:

Also, as Karl Wagner points out, you silly Apple fans have again been screwed... while PC Core users can just throw in a Core 2, you can't! All that trouble just to run an OS with less of a user base than Linux.

[Norm @ Sep 10th 2006 9:39AM]

According to other sites, original Core Duo iMac processors are socketed, NOT soldered, so technically, you could install a pin compatible Core 2 Duo into an older iMac, with all the usual caveats of warranty voiding etc....

[Revels @ Sep 10th 2006 9:21AM]

"All that trouble just to run an OS with less of a user base than Linux."

Boy, we sure feel deprived. *rolleyes* BTW didn't you get the memo that macs can use windows too now?

[my moustache @ Sep 10th 2006 9:27AM]

why is a large user base a good thing?

besides the issue of the "market" for viruses et al with a particular os, why not just use the os and hardware that works best for what you are doing?

[mr. O @ Sep 10th 2006 9:29AM]

Well, Intrepid has me convinced about being screwed by Apple. This silly Apple fan is switching back so I can throw in a Core 2...something it turns out I can't do now! And I'm starting to wonder if I CAN run Windows faster on a PC with the exact same specs.

But the worst part is wishing I'd known before buying that the Mac OS user base was less than Linux...I feel like such a fool for going through all that trouble.

Thanks for opening my eyes. I hope your message reaches more fools like me.

[Tull @ Sep 10th 2006 10:09AM]

In response to the whole apple users being shafted comment. it's true. Until they recode the OS to use the intel processors it needs to get translated through rosetta. I forget which magazine it was, I believe maximum pc, where they tested OS X and XP on the same mac machine and the results were pitiful. Everything ran at least 30% slower on the mac then in windows. From what I recall apples biggest draw to the OS, photoshop, ran 60% slower. Reason enough for me to not buy a mac, how bout you?

[Jim @ Sep 10th 2006 12:48PM]

PROOFREAD THIS POST

thx

[w!sh @ Sep 10th 2006 10:23AM]

Tull, are you serious? You really think the OS isn't running natively?

Putting your ignorance aside for a second, you almost have a point. You're right that until a software package is converted into the universal binary, it will run slower on an intel mac. However, all the major publishing houses, Adobe included, have already comitted to making their software universal, and once they do the mac line will be right on par with a comparable windows box, if not better.

And maybe you've been smokin something a little harder than me, but to make the statement that "apple's biggest draw to the os" is photoshop clearly illustrates that you haven't ever used the os to begin with.

I switched from a windows pc as soon as the iMac went intel (20" 2GHz core duo) and by no means do I feel screwed by the recent core2 upgrades, and by no means will I ever go back to a windows pc for my home computing needs.

[It's called sarcasm... @ Sep 10th 2006 10:57AM]

I think everyone here needs a little more coffee before interacting with each other...

First there is mistaken sarcasm, then someone starts feeding the trolls, someone tries to be ironic, then all hell breaks loose...

Just remember, if 'Apple' or 'Mac' are in the title, there will always be sarcasm, foolish trolls with diarrhea of the mouth, irony and eventually bedlam and civil infighting between the high schoolers and penny pinchers.

[Harvey Lubin @ Sep 10th 2006 10:58AM]

Just to clarify: MacWorld was comparing the 17-inch iMac Core 2 Duo/2GHz to the "older" 20-inch iMac Core Duo/2GHz to get that 10% increase. If you account for the fact that the new 20-inch iMac Core 2 Duo/2.16GHz has a 10% faster (in GHz) processor than the older model, then the total speed increase is about 20% (when comparing the old & new 20-inch iMacs) for the same price.

[Mark D. @ Sep 10th 2006 11:02AM]

Tull:
OS X is native, not running through Rosetta (which would lead to a chicken/egg issue, right?) and I doubt the article explained the speed differences shown after applications were updated to UBs. Then again half those PC magazines seem to exist purely to present more ad space, so I wouldn't be suprised if they overlooked simple facts. In any case, w!sh is correct.

Joe:
Geez, check those typos and grammar errors before even attempting to use dry, old jokes. Not that it would have helped much, but still...

[theChipmunk @ Oct 21st 2006 11:19AM]

Of course, you could just run OSX on a PC.

;-)

theChipmunk

[hal @ Sep 10th 2006 11:57AM]

Wanna know how fast? Yesterday I cmd+A, cmd+O'd the Applications folder, and the thing zipped along like it was nothing. I'm talking fully usable, no freeze up, you could cmd+tab through things like it was only two or three apps open. And that was the stock 1GB config. The previous Powermac Quad stock config choked on this task. These things fly.

[Kurt @ Sep 10th 2006 12:18PM]

Kevin....I am not doubting you...oh wait yes I am ... the Core2 Duo is 775 the Core Duo in the Mac Mini is 478. Where did you buy a Core2 Duo that was a 478?

I say Shennanigans!!!!

[flareak @ Sep 10th 2006 12:27PM]

Kurt, where does it say he upgraded from Core Duo to Core 2 Duo?

[Craig C @ Sep 10th 2006 7:17PM]

This just provides more reason to get a iMac even if you just use it for Windows, having a really solid and supported system. Also does anyone know if Apple is eventually going to put some video inputs in the back of these things? I know the future-proof of firewire but I was thinkin of something for now. Thanks

Joe, some Americans dont get irony, some British dont either. Dont be a fool. I feel bad that you must gravitate to Anti-American sentiments in the most trivial discussions.

[Tim UF @ Sep 11th 2006 12:00PM]

is there any cross OS information on benchmarking?
comparing similar cpu's in use with similar specs but in windows XP versus mac OSX?
i would assume the mac versions are quicker, but itd be interesting to see...

[Erick @ Sep 11th 2006 2:57PM]

What gets me is that doesn't the PC side see a nearly 40% increase in some apps going from Core Duo to Core 2 Duo? Why isn't the mac seeing as an appreciable jump in performance?

[nick grant @ Sep 17th 2006 10:26PM]

to all of you who fel cheated why did you buy a cduo imac when you knew merom was a month away and the speedgains should really show themselves the day you load leapord in your machine and anyone who waits till leapord to come out will find the intel macs run much better than anything weve seen before

oh yea and pc guys your interface is fugly your cases tired and old and all pcs look like junk who would buy anything that looked so crappy when you could run your precious windows on a mac