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iMac upgrade
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Aoki Darine
Endeavors Diversified Ltd.
#1 - 2016-10-25 16:01:03 UTC
I'm currently rocking a Mid-2010 "Core i3" 3.06 21.5-Inch iMac and am contemplating an upgrade to the Retina 4k 21.5-Inch model (or the equivalent if upgrades are announced or teased on Thursday).

I can dual-box clients kinda OK now with pretty poor settings, so I'm wondering what kind of performance upgrade I'll see. Anyone have the current model, and if so, how many clients can you run with decent graphics? Thanks.
AtomicGrog
Brutor Tribe
Minmatar Republic
#2 - 2016-10-26 10:34:39 UTC
Hard to give advice without more specifics. I ran a 2011 i7 with 1GB of video memory and could run 2 clients well, 3 if limited in size/quality upgrading the graphics to 2GB had a significant improvement in terms of ability to improve quality but not size.

On the other extreeme I'm now on a mac pro with 2 * D700 graphics card and can run 3 clients absolutely maxed out and have great FPS...

The models you list will be somewhere inbetween. In all honesty all iMac's run mobile graphics so dont expect perfection but DO max out your graphics if you want best experience and longevity as they are typically not upgradable.
Mara Rinn
Cosmic Goo Convertor
#3 - 2016-10-26 11:26:54 UTC
I have the 2012 27" iMac, with the 680MX 2GB video upgrade. I'm not sure if it has any effect but the RAM is 9CL instead of the default 11CL (I was aiming to run Windows VMs as fast as possible). This machine comfortably runs four clients in potato graphics, or two clients in "pretty decent" graphics, or one in "almost maxed out" graphics. You have to adjust some things like shadow detail since there are bizarre combinations of settings that will result in the client stalling and stuttering in some circumstances.

As AtomicGrog said though, max out the graphics option regardless which model you end up buying. Steer clear of models with integrated graphics (Intel whatever chipsets).

Day 0 Advice for New Players
Aoki Darine
Endeavors Diversified Ltd.
#4 - 2016-10-26 15:04:26 UTC
Ok, thanks for the feedback. I would love to get a Pro, but it's just not in the budget.
Amarisen Gream
The.Kin.of.Jupiter
#5 - 2016-10-28 01:53:36 UTC
I would try to hold off on updateing. As Apple hasn't released any major updates for a few years now. and they only released new laptops today at their Hello Again event. totally makes me mad, but those are some awesome laptops.

"The Lord loosed upon them his fierce anger All of his fury and rage. He dispatched against them a band of Avenging Angels" - The Scriptures, Book II, Apocalypse 10:1

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