Imac dual core or quad core

[esanchez]

I have always used PC and now I'm ready to jump into the apple world. Not too familiar how well Imac's perform...

I want to buy an Imac 27" I'm not sure which direction I should go as far as CPU and memory.

Video card will be 512MB....

I will only use LR3 and CS4 or CS5. Might do some light video editing...mostly just home movies of my kids...etc.

Should I go with a 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo and 8GB of RAM or
i5 2.66GHz Quad-Core with 4GB for now and upgrade to 8GB down the road...

again all I need it for 90% photoediting....LR3 and CS3 or CS4...

[Sonny]

Hmmm, that is a toughy.

I would buy the newer i5 Quad so you're not having to upgrade the proc sooner.

[CaptainG]

Just ordered another 4GB of memory got my new 27 to bring the total to 8GB. I can't imagine needing more than that. $90 at PRO Memory Upgrade. Ditto the i5.

[esanchez]

Thanks guys...I was leaning with the quad core for now... CaptainG do you have the link to the memory you bought??? Thanks...

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by esanchez

Thanks guys...I was leaning with the quad core for now... CaptainG do you have the link to the memory you bought??? Thanks...

I was wanting to find a little more info and found this. Seems like many folks are asking that same questions. Lots of stuff in that link.
3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo or 2.66GHz Intel Core i5? Pros and Cons Please! - Mac Forums

[srwatters]

Originally Posted by CaptainG

Just ordered another 4GB of memory got my new 27 to bring the total to 8GB. I can't imagine needing more than that. $90 at PRO Memory Upgrade. Ditto the i5.

Try processing 16bit color depth 39MP images... I have 16GB in my Mac Pro and often work with three to five layers at a time. At approximately 250MB per layer, you run out of RAM pretty quickly (if you have other programs open like a RAW converter, media library, etc...). Just adding to the 'never enough RAM' camp.

[tertius]

i5 Quad, great machine.